Broncos begin sturdy, however blow a late lead and fail to clinch a playoff berth in a tricky defeat

Nearly every part fell other than there within the Los Angeles Chargers’ 34-27 comeback victory.

After getting outscored 21-6 within the second half, the surprised Broncos had been left to attend one other week earlier than they get their second shot to clinch their first journey to the postseason since successful all within the 2015-16 season.

The wait is extra-long after a Thursday recreation — however it was already going to be an uncomfortable vacation break for the Broncos, who had been stung by their incapacity to complete at SoFi Stadium.

“I simply really feel just like the frustration comes from the truth that we knew we might have gained this recreation, and we began the best way we knew that we wished to,” linebacker Jonathon Cooper mentioned. “We simply didn’t end the best way we wished to. … All people is damage. It’s a tricky loss, a really powerful loss. However we’ve simply acquired to study from it and are available again subsequent week stronger and give attention to getting our tenth win.”

The Broncos gave the impression to be headed for a blowout win late within the first half, and blame for his or her second-half flop might be assigned to the offense and the protection — and even particular groups, which gave up three factors on the NFL’s first profitable fair-catch kick in 48 years to finish the primary half.

Denver drove for 219 yards and three touchdowns on its first three drives, however managed solely 136 yards and two discipline objectives the remainder of the night time. The Broncos transformed their first three third downs, however went 2 of 10 from there.

Bo Nix handed for 239 yards and two touchdowns in a gradual efficiency, however the passing recreation could not make up for the Broncos managing solely 46 yards speeding within the closing three quarters.

The Broncos sacked Justin Herbert twice, including to their league-leading sacks complete, however the elusive quarterback went 11 of 16 for 144 yards and two touchdowns within the second half. Los Angeles made three landing drives of not less than 70 yards within the second half, repeatedly breaking down the Broncos’ usually stout protection with a operating recreation that had been nonexistent earlier.

Coach Sean Payton hid neither his disappointment nor his confidence after watching his staff’s dismantling by Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers.

“It was disappointing as a result of there was lots at stake, and we all know that,” Payton mentioned. “We had a quick begin. I used to be inspired by that, after which uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t end or play almost effectively sufficient within the second half, each offensively and defensively. Time of possession. The third-down numbers. Our speeding numbers fell off within the second half. Credit score Los Angeles for combating their manner again in, and we didn’t make sufficient performs ultimately. So we go from there.”

The Broncos can nonetheless wrap up a playoff berth with another victory, however they missed their first likelihood to finish the longest playoff drought for a franchise following a Tremendous Bowl victory. The Broncos additionally had been swept by the Chargers within the season collection for the primary time since 2010.

They go to Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, for a recreation that might be important for the Bengals’ at the moment faint playoff hopes. Denver’s season finale is at dwelling towards defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis.

“We will’t permit ourselves to chill out all through quarters,” Broncos security Patrick Surtain II mentioned. “I believe immediately was positively a second the place we realized that we let that one get away in the direction of the top of the second half.”

/NFL

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