Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Carrie Giordano)
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker (11) makes the game-winning field goal as time expires in an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the first half an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) evades the tackle from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyle Kennard (54) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Justin Herbert rallies Chargers for 23-20 win over Broncos and 3-0 start
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert found Keenan Allen for a tying touchdown with 2:44 remaining and then led Los Angeles into position for Cameron Dicker’s game-ending 43-yard field goal as the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 23-20 on Sunday for their first 3-0 start since 2002.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Carrie Giordano)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Justin Herbert found Keenan Allen for a tying touchdown with 2:44 remaining and then led Los Angeles into position for Cameron Dicker’s game-ending 43-yard field goal as the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 23-20 on Sunday for their first 3-0 start since 2002.
After Herbert and connected with Allen — who fought off Riley Morris in the end zone for the 20-yard score — Bo Nix and the Broncos (1-2) went three-and-out. That set up Herbert and the Chargers on their 32, and he went 4 of 4 on the final drive.
Herbert was 28 of 47 for 300 yards with the TD and one interception. At 27 years, 195 days, he became the youngest NFL player to reach 2,000 career completions, surpassing Drew Bledsoe. Herbert did so in his 82nd career game, making him the second-fastest player to reach the mark.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Coach Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers beat their third straight division rival after opening with wins over AFC West opponents Kansas City and Las Vegas. Their stretch of not allowing a touchdown in the second half ended against Denver.
Trailing 10-3, the Broncos engineered three scoring plays in 3 minutes, 40 seconds over the end of the second quarter and start of the third to take a 17-10 lead.
Nix found a wide-open Courtland Sutton for a 52-yard TD that capped a seven-play, 72-yard drive and pulled the Broncos within 10-7 with 38 seconds left before halftime. It was the first time Denver had crossed midfield and it came on a busted coverage by Chargers safety Alohi Gilman and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
The Broncos struck quickly to open the third. J.K. Dobbins scored on a 19-yard run up the left sideline in which he avoided multiple tacklers, giving Denver its first lead at 14-10.
Wide receiver Derius Davis committed a costly fumble on the Chargers’ next possession. JL Skinner recovered at the Chargers 30 and four plays later, the Broncos got a 42-yard field goal by Wil Lutz for a 17-10 lead.
The Chargers got a 32-yard field goal by Dicker on their first drive of the game and a 3-yard TD run by rookie Omarion Hampton to lead 10-3 with 1:53 left in the second.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Nix finished 14 of 23 for 153 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Injuries
Chargers: RB Najee Harris did not return after being hurt in the second quarter. The team said he had a left ankle injury. ... G Mekhi Becton sustained a concussion in the second quarter and did not return.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation