Broncos Suffer Third Straight Loss In Ugly MNF Game Against Chargers

SALT LAKE CITY – The Denver Broncos fell for the third consecutive game in an ugly Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chargers Beat Broncos on MNF

The Chargers hosted the Broncos for a divisional game at SoFi Stadium on Monday, October 16.

Los Angeles beat Denver in overtime, 19-16. It was Denver’s straight loss and fourth of the young NFL season.

FINAL: The @chargers win it in OT. #DENvsLAC pic.twitter.com/XSuU5MP10j

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

Only two touchdowns were scored all night long and the final play in the end zone occurred early in the second quarter.

The Broncos appeared to be on track for a victory after a solid first quarter. Brandon McManus got things going with a 51-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter. Russell Wilson extended Denver’s lead to 10-0 with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Greg Dulcich with 1:49 remaining until the second quarter.

Greg Dulcich with a TD in his first NFL quarter! @Greg_Dulcich

📺: #DENvsLAC on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mKmqBgUsbz pic.twitter.com/LogAZpUEKs

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

The Chargers found the scoreboard for the first time on a six-yard scoring run by Austin Ekeler with 9:09 left in the first half.

Austin Ekeler powers his way into the end zone!

📺: #DENvsLAC on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mKmqBgUsbz pic.twitter.com/sSpemBLtQn

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

During the final minute of the second quarter, both teams connected on field goals and the Broncos took a 13-10 lead into the locker room at the halftime break.

With 9:09 left in the third quarter, Dustin Hopkins hit his second field goal of the game to tie the contest. Hopkins connected on the kick despite suffering an injury on his extra-point kick following Los Angeles’ second quarter touchdown.

Brandon McManus helped the Broncos regain the lead with his third field goal of the game midway through the final quarter.

However, with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter, Hopkins drilled a 35-yard kick to knot the score at 16-16.

After the game went into overtime, the Broncos were unable to get their offense rolling and were forced to punt. It was the first of four punts between the two teams in the extra session, including two punts apiece.

On Los Angeles’ second punt of the overtime period, the Broncos muffed the catch and the Chargers recovered the ball at the Denver 30-yard line.

Chargers recover the fumble! #BoltUp

📺: #DENvsLAC on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mKmqBgUsbz pic.twitter.com/qiT2odU7cY

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

Four plays later, the injured Hopkins hit a 39-yard field goal to lift Los Angeles to a three-point victory.

Dustin Hopkins wins it for the Chargers! #BoltUp

📺: #DENvsLAC on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/mKmqBgUsbz pic.twitter.com/kfFX4Cm6F0

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2022

Wilson finished 15/28 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was 37/57 passing for 238 yards and an interception.

Russ in the second half and OT:

3/11
15 YDS
0 TD

Cooked. pic.twitter.com/yzHY1NkV2Z

— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 18, 2022

Local Players

Denver Broncos

Garett Bolles – Injured Reserve

Tim Patrick – Injured Reserve

Los Angeles Chargers

Michael Davis – two total tackles, one solo tackles, and a pass breakup

Alohi Gilman – two tackles

Kyle Van Noy – two tackles and one tackle for loss

Up Next

With the result, the Chargers improved to a 4-2 record and the Broncos dropped to 2-4.

Denver’s next game is at home against the New York Jets on Sunday, October 23 at 2:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS.

Los Angeles’ next contest is at home against the Seattle Seahawks on October 23 at 2:25 p.m. on FOX.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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