Thursday Night Football.

**Thursday Night Football: Chargers vs. Broncos**

In a battle of two Oregon quarterbacks, the Chargers used a second-half surge to shake off a sluggish first half and defeat the Broncos, 34-27, firmly securing their playoff position.

The Broncos scored three straight touchdowns on their first three drives by relying heavily on the run game and exploiting yards after the catch. They looked far better than the Chargers in every phase of the game. However, in the second half, with Justin Herbert searching for someone to step up amid a rash of injuries, the Chargers received big plays from players like running back Hassan Haskins, who caught two passes in the second half, leading to a touchdown. Wide receiver Derius Davis gave the Chargers their first lead in the second half. The Chargers' defense adjusted, forcing Bo Nix to attack downfield rather than underneath, and Nix struggled to rise to the challenge, failing to break through the narrative of being an exciting game manager who could win at the moment but couldn't seize the moment itself. After scoring three straight touchdowns, the Broncos managed only two field goals in the second half. Nix averaged just 3.3 air yards per attempt, 0.8 air yards per completion, and had a -5.2 air yards to the sticks. Much of Bo Nix's game reminds me of Mac Jones: a system quarterback with limited lift.

Nix finished the game with 29 completions on 40 attempts for 263 passing yards and two touchdowns, giving him a passer rating of 106.6. Justin Herbert, on the other hand, completed 23 of 31 passes for 284 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 110.1. The Chargers need just one more win in their last two games to secure a playoff spot, while the Broncos need either a win or tie in their last two games, or for other contenders to lose, to secure the final playoff berth. Complicating matters for the Broncos, those last two games begin with the Bengals and conclude with the Chiefs, who may have nothing to play for in Week 18. The Chargers ultimately secured this victory despite limited options at the skill positions, thanks to timely big throws from Herbert. They enter the playoffs with arguably the weakest roster in the AFC. Conversely, despite the loss, the Broncos appear to be a greater threat due to having more proven talent at the skill positions. However, the question remains: can their quarterback make the necessary throws to win major games? I would like to see Bo Nix in the playoffs.

The AFC picture looks nearly set, but there's one team, in particular, where the paint hasn't dried: the Chargers. If you know football history, you’re aware that the Chargers have some of the worst “dumb” luck in the game. Recently, in their history, the Brandon Staley Chargers blew a historic lead against the Jaguars two seasons ago. Staley’s squad also lost a regular-season finale to the Derek Carr-led Raiders in 2021, not to mention the myriad of unfortunate events during the Philip Rivers-Norv Turner era. If any team could squander a 90% chance of making the playoffs, it is this Chargers team of 2024, particularly with one of the weakest offenses on the field. Against the Buccaneers, the Chargers' offense fell apart in the second half, failing to capitalize on an early lead and taking advantage of some Buccaneers turnovers. The Chargers will lean heavily on Justin Herbert to elevate an injury-riddled roster.

The Chargers' offense got off to a rocky start, going three-and-out on their first drive. The Broncos jumped ahead on their first possession, scoring a touchdown on a 10-play, 72-yard drive that relied mostly on their ground game. Nix looked like a passenger, delivering short passes as Austin Estime and Javonte Williams propelled the Broncos over the Chargers' defense and into the end zone. The Chargers' next drive was far more effective, with Herbert starting 4-for-4 for 43 yards as Gus Edwards capped off an eight-play, 70-yard drive. The Chargers also saw a 19-yard run from fullback Kimani Vidal, which propelled the drive forward. However, the Broncos’ offense continued to shine as Nix found greater success in the air, connecting on an 18-yard play to Cortland Sutton and a 15-yard play to Devaughn Vele. Nix capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to his fullback, Michael Burton. They scored two touchdowns, moving the ball methodically over the Chargers' defense. Herbert’s strong and efficient start continued, with him going 7-for-7 for 88 yards, but the Chargers had to settle for a field goal on their next drive, cutting the lead to 14-10. However, Nix and the Broncos' passing game kept pressing forward. Nix connected with wide receiver Marvin Mims on a short pass, which Mims turned into a 53-yard gain, setting up a passing touchdown to Devaughn Vele. The Broncos' offense, which had struggled against the Colts, thrived after a short week against the Chargers. They pulled ahead with a 21-13 lead after the Chargers kicked a 57-yard field goal. Herbert’s efficient start was overshadowed by a lack of playmaking options for the Chargers. The Broncos' first drive out of halftime ended in a field goal, and despite picking up a fourth-down conversion, they extended their lead to double digits to start the second half. The offense for The Broncos Would Dry Up As Nix Couldn’t Connect with HIS Target Marvin Mims Down Field And Another Broncos Drive Would End In A Punt. The Chargers Put Away The Game 6 Play with 90 Yard Drive stitched together By Two Explosive Plays A 43 Yard Run By Gus Edwards and A 34 Yard To Running Back Hassan Haskins. The Chargers generated 254 Yards Of Offense In The Second Half(Outside Of The Final kneel-down drive) Throughout Three Drives and 380 Yards Of Total Offensive Yardage. In Week 15 The Chargers Struggled In The Second Half With a -0.835 EPA Against The Buccaneers. The Chargers Leap Frog The Broncos In The Playoff Standings Positioning Themselves To Face The AFC North Winner and Avoiding The Bills If The Standing Should Hold.