Broncos–Chargers Rivalry

The Broncos–Chargers rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers. Since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Broncos and Chargers have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, both clubs have competed in the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.

The Broncos lead the overall series 73–55–1. The teams have met once in the playoffs, a 24–17 Broncos win in the 2013 AFC Divisional Round.

Notable moments

1985–2006

* November 17, 1985: Broncos' safety Dennis Smith blocked two straight field goal attempts in overtime, after the Chargers had advanced the football to the Broncos' 23-yard line in the first overtime possession. On 4th and 4 from the Broncos' 23, Smith blocked Bob Thomas' initial field goal attempt, only to have it negated due to a timeout being called by teammate Mike Harden prior to the kick. Following the timeout, Thomas attempted a second kick; this was also blocked by Smith and returned by Louis Wright for a 60-yard touchdown for a 30–24 Broncos' overtime win at Mile High Stadium.
* September 4, 1994: The Broncos jumped out to a 24–6 lead at Mile High Stadium on the Chargers in the second quarter, however, the Chargers responded, and took a 27–24 lead at half time, after safety Stanley Richard returned a John Elway interception 99 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. The Chargers later sealed the victory after linebacker Junior Seau recovered a fumble by Elway in the game's closing seconds.
* September 14, 2003: The Broncos routed the Chargers 37–13 at Qualcomm Stadium. However, the game is notable for a uniform mix-up, in which the Broncos came to the stadium in their road white jerseys, when the host Chargers were planning to wear white, and were supposed to be the team that declared their uniform color. The Broncos were fined $25,000 as a result, and when the two teams met at Invesco Field at Mile High later that season in Week 11 (November 16), the NFL allowed the Chargers to choose their uniform color in advance, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time since .
* December 10, 2006: The Chargers routed the Broncos 48–20 at Qualcomm Stadium, in which Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson set a new NFL record for touchdowns in a single season, with 28.

2007–2011

* December 24, 2007: In the fourth quarter of a Monday night game at Qualcomm Stadium, Broncos' quarterback Jay Cutler was involved in a verbal scuffle with Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Matt Wilhelm, with Rivers taunting Cutler and Wilhelm mocking a "waving" gesture. Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey took exception to Rivers' taunting of Cutler.
* September 14, 2008: With 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Chargers were leading 38–31 in Denver. The Broncos hiked the ball on 2nd-and-goal from the Chargers' 1-yard line. Jay Cutler rolled out to the right and fumbled the football before he brought his arm forward, which was recovered by Chargers' linebacker Tim Dobbins. However, referee Ed Hochuli called the play dead as he believed it to be an incomplete pass, so the ball was returned to the Broncos at the 10-yard line (the spot where the ball hit the ground). Two plays later, on 4th-and-goal from the 4, Cutler threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Royal to make the score 38–37. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game and send it to overtime, Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan opted for a 2-point conversion. Cutler completed the conversion with another pass to Royal, giving the Broncos a 39–38 victory.
* December 28, 2008: The Broncos and Chargers met in the regular-season finale in San Diego, with the winner clinching the AFC West title. Three weeks earlier, the Broncos were 8–5 and the Chargers were 5–8, with the Broncos losing their next two games and the Chargers winning their next two to pull to within one game of the Broncos for the division lead. Three and a half months after the aforementioned controversial Broncos' win in Denver, the Chargers exacted revenge, with an emphatic 52–21 win that not only completed a monumental Broncos' season-ending collapse, but also denied the Broncos a playoff berth. The two teams finished the 2008 season tied for first-place in the AFC West, each with an 8–8 record, however, the Chargers won the division based on a better record against AFC West divisional opponents (5–1 to the Broncos' 3–3). This was also Mike Shanahan's last game as the Broncos' head coach, as he was fired two days later after 14 seasons.
* November 27, 2011: Quarterback Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a 16–13 win at Qualcomm Stadium in overtime, with kicker Matt Prater nailing a 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds left. Earlier in overtime, the Broncos blocked a 53-yard attempt by Chargers' kicker Nick Novak, however, Broncos' head coach John Fox (American football), John Fox called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak subsequently missed the second attempt.

2012–present

* October 15, 2012: Trailing 24–0 at halftime after back-to-back special teams turnovers and an interception returned for a touchdown, quarterback Peyton Manning led the Broncos to a stunning 35–24 comeback win in San Diego. Three second-half interceptions and two lost fumbles by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers swung the momentum toward the Broncos' favor, as Manning and the Broncos capitalized on each Chargers' mistake. Manning went 13/14 for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a 29-yard score with 10:56 left in the third quarter to get the Broncos on the scoreboard. Following a 65-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery by cornerback Tony Carter (cornerback), Tony Carter, the Broncos suddenly found themselves down only 10 as the Chargers watched their comfortable halftime lead dwindle. Manning added two more touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, finding Eric Decker on a 7-yard score and then connecting with Brandon Stokley on a 21-yard pitch and catch to give the Broncos a 28–24 lead with 9:03 left. Cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. sealed the comeback with a 46-yard interception return to put the Broncos up 35–24 with 2:06 left. The defense added one final takeaway as Rivers fumbled in the game's final minute to end what was certainly an instant Monday Night Football classic.
* September 11, 2017: The Chargers were attempting a game-tying 44-yard field goal at Sports Authority Field at Mile High with five seconds left in the game, after trailing 24–7 to begin the fourth quarter. However, Chargers' placekicker Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt was blocked by Broncos' defensive end Shelby Harris for a Broncos' 24–21 win. Koo's initial field goal attempt was good, but it was nullified as the result of Broncos' head coach Vance Joseph calling a timeout in order to Icing the kicker, ice the kicker, forcing a second attempt.
* October 22, 2017: The Chargers shutout the Broncos by a score of 21–0. This was the Broncos' first shutout loss in 25 years, since the 1992 season. Chargers' wide receiver Travis Benjamin was instrumental in the victory with a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown and a 42 yard touchdown catch.
* November 18, 2018: The Chargers were leading 19–7 in the third quarter at StubHub Center, and were threatening to pull away from the Broncos. However, linebacker Von Miller swung the momentum in the Broncos' favor, with an interception of a screen pass by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers, returning the football 40 yards to the Chargers' 18-yard line. This set up a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Royce Freeman to pull the Broncos to within a 19–14 deficit. Following a 2-yard touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay (with an unsuccessful two-point attempt) and a go-ahead 30-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, Broncos' quarterback Case Keenum engineered a game-winning drive, culminating in a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Brandon McManus as time expired, for a 23–22 Broncos' victory.
* December 1, 2019: After a 46-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley tied the score at 20–20 with only 14 seconds remaining at Empower Field at Mile High, the game appeared to be headed to overtime. However, instead of a kneel-down, Broncos' rookie quarterback Drew Lock, in his NFL debut, launched a deep pass attempt to wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who drew a pass interference penalty on cornerback Casey Hayward at the Chargers' 35-yard line. This set up Broncos' placekicker Brandon McManus with the game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired.
* November 1, 2020: The Broncos trailed 24–3 in front of limited capacity at Empower Field at Mile High, and were stymied by the Chargers' defense in the first half. Entering the third quarter, the Broncos had scored only two touchdowns in the previous ten quarters. However, running back Phillip Lindsay ignited a rally with a 55-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Drew Lock threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to draw the Broncos to within a 24–17 deficit early in the fourth quarter. After Lock's second touchdown pass—a 40-yarder to wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton, coupled with two field goals by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, the Broncos trailed 30–24 with 2:34 remaining in the game. The Broncos began their game-winning drive at their own 19-yard line. Following a pass interference penalty on Chargers' cornerback Brandon Facyson in the end zone on 4th-and-4 with one second remaining, Lock connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver K. J. Hamler as time expired, coupled with placekicker Brandon McManus kicking the subsequent game-winning extra point.
* December 27, 2020: The Chargers and Broncos had thir first matchup at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers, led by Justin Herbert, won the game 19–16, as kicker Michael Badgley converted a 37-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining and the Chargers' defense intercepted the Broncos' last-second Hail Mary pass.

Game results

, -
, 1960 AFL season, 1960
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
23–19
, style=", Chargers
41–33
, Chargers
2–0
, Inaugural season for both franchises and the AFL. Chargers lose 1960 American Football League Championship Game, 1960 AFL Championship.
, -
, 1961 AFL season, 1961
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
19–16
, style=", Chargers
37–0
, Chargers
4–0
, Chargers relocate to San Diego after playing first season in Los Angeles. Chargers lose 1961 American Football League Championship Game, 1961 AFL Championship.
, -
, 1962 AFL season, 1962
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
30–21
, style=", Broncos
23–20
, Chargers
4–2
,
, -
, 1963 AFL season, 1963
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
50–34
, style=", Chargers
58–20
, Chargers
5–3
, Chargers win 1963 American Football League Championship Game, 1963 AFL Championship.
, -
, 1964 AFL season, 1964
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
31–20
, style=", Chargers
42–14
, Chargers
7–3
, Chargers lose 1964 American Football League Championship Game, 1964 AFL Championship.
, -
, 1965 AFL season, 1965
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
34–31
, style=", Chargers
35–21
, Chargers
9–3
, Chargers lose 1965 American Football League Championship Game, 1965 AFL Championship.
, -
, 1966 AFL season, 1966
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
20–17
, style=", Chargers
24–17
, Chargers
10–4
,
, -
, 1967 AFL season, 1967
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
38–21
, style=", Chargers
24–20
, Chargers
12–4
, Chargers open SDCCU Stadium (then known as San Diego Stadium).
, -
, 1968 AFL season, 1968
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
47–23
, style=", Chargers
55–24
, Chargers
14–4
,
, -
, 1969 AFL season, 1969
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
13–0
, style=", Chargers
45–24
, Chargers
15–5
,

, -
,
, style=",
, Tie
17–17
, style=", Chargers
24–21
, Chargers
16–5–1
, AFL-NFL merger. Both teams placed in AFC West. Only tie game in the history of the rivalry.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
20–16
, style=", Chargers
45–17
, Chargers
17–6–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
38–13
, style=", Chargers
37–14
, Chargers
18–7–1
, Chargers win nine straight home meetings.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
30–19
, style=", Broncos
42–28
, Chargers
18–9–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
27–7
, style=", Chargers
17–0
, Chargers
19–10–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
13–10(OT)
, style=", Broncos
27–17
, Chargers
19–12–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
26–0
, style=", Broncos
17–0
, Chargers
19–14–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
17–9
, style=", Broncos
17–14
, Chargers
19–16–1
, Broncos lose Super Bowl XII.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
27–14
, style=", Chargers
23–0
, Chargers
20–17–1
, Broncos win seven straight meetings.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
7–0
, style=", Chargers
17–7
, Chargers
21–18–1
, Broncos win nine straight meetings in Denver.
, -

, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
30–13
, style=", Broncos
20–13
, Chargers
22–19–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
42–24
, style=", Chargers
34–17
, Chargers
23–20–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
23–3
, style=", Chargers
23–3
, Chargers
25–20–1
, Both meetings were played despite the National Football League Players Association#1982 strike, players' strike which reduced the season to 9 games; Chargers' first season sweep since 1968.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
14–6
, style=", Chargers
31–7
, Chargers
26–21–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
16–13
, style=", Broncos
16–13
, Chargers
26–23–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
30–24(OT)
, style=", Chargers
30–10
, Chargers
27–24–1
, Broncos block a potential Chargers' game-winning field goal and return it for a touchdown to win the game in Denver.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
9–3
, style=", Broncos
31–14
, Chargers
28–25–1
, Broncos lose Super Bowl XXI.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
24–0
, style=", Broncos
31–17
, Chargers
28–27–1
, Broncos lose Super Bowl XXII.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
34–3
, style=", Broncos
12–0
, Broncos
29–28–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
16–10
, style=", Chargers
19–16
, Broncos
30–29–1
, Broncos lose Super Bowl XXIV.
, -

, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
20–10
, style=", Chargers
19–7
, Broncos
31–30–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
27–19
, style=", Broncos
17–14
, Broncos
33–30–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
21–13
, style=", Chargers
24–21
, Broncos
34–31–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
34–17
, style=", Chargers
13–10
, Broncos
35–32–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
37–34
, style=", Broncos
20–15
, Broncos
36–33–1
, Chargers lose Super Bowl XXIX.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
30–27
, style=", Chargers
17–6
, Broncos
37–34–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
28–17
, style=", Broncos
16–10
, Broncos
38–35–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
38–3
, style=", Broncos
38–28
, Broncos
40–35–1
, Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
27–10
, style=", Broncos
31–16
, Broncos
42–35–1
, Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
12–6
, style=", Broncos
33–17
, Broncos
43–36–1
,
, -

, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
38–37
, style=", Broncos
21–7
, Broncos
45–36–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
26–16
, style=", Chargers
27–10
, Broncos
46–37–1
, Broncos open Empower Field at Mile High (then known as Invesco Field at Mile High).
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
26–9
, style=", Chargers
30–27(OT)
, Broncos
47–38–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
37–8
, style=", Broncos
37–13
, Broncos
49–38–1
, Broncos wore white at home against the Chargers as punishment for bringing the wrong uniform in the first meeting earlier in the season.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
23–13
, style=", Chargers
20–17
, Broncos
50–39–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
20–17
, style=", Broncos
23–7
, Broncos
52–39–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
35–27
, style=", Chargers
48–20
, Broncos
52–41–1
, Chargers' first season sweep since 1982.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
41–3
, style=", Chargers
23–3
, Broncos
52–43–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
39–38
, style=", Chargers
52–21
, Broncos
53–44–1
, Broncos stun Chargers with controversial game-winning two-point conversion in Denver meeting; Chargers exact revenge in San Diego on final day of the season to clinch the AFC West, denying the Broncos a playoff berth.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
32–3
, style=", Broncos
34–23
, Broncos
54–45–1
,
, -

, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Chargers
35–14
, style=", Chargers
33–28
, Broncos
54–47–1
, Most recent season sweep by the Chargers over the Broncos.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
29–24
, style=", Broncos
16–13(OT)
, Broncos
55–48–1
, Both teams finish the season 8-8, but the Broncos are rewarded the division over the Chargers due to tiebreakers.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
30–23
, style=", Broncos
35–24
, Broncos
57–48–1
, Peyton Manning rallied Broncos from a 24–0 halftime deficit with 35 unanswered second-half points in San Diego meeting.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
27–20
, style=", Broncos
28–20
, Broncos
58–49–1
, Broncos lose Super Bowl XLVIII.
, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"
, 2013–14 NFL playoffs, 2013 Playoffs
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
24–17
,
, Broncos
59–49–1
, AFC Divisional playoffs — Only playoff meeting between the two teams.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
35–21
, style=", Broncos
22–10
, Broncos
61–49–1
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
27–20
, style=", Broncos
17–3
, Broncos
63–49–1
, Broncos win NFL-record 15 consecutive road division games with win in San Diego. Broncos clinch both the AFC West and home–field advantage in the AFC playoffs with their home win in week 17. Broncos win Super Bowl 50.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
27–19
, style=", Chargers
21–13
, Broncos
64–50–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
24–21
, style=", Chargers
21–0
, Broncos
65–51–1
, Chargers relocate from San Diego to Los Angeles; Broncos block game-tying field goal attempt at the end of regulation in Denver meeting; Chargers give Broncos their first shutout loss since 1992 in Los Angeles meeting.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Chargers
23–9
, style=", Broncos
23–22
, Broncos
66–52–1
, Brandon McManus kicks game-winning field goal as time expired in Los Angeles meeting.
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
23–20
, style=", Broncos
20–13
, Broncos
68–52–1
, Brandon McManus kicks game-winning field goal as time expired in Denver meeting.
, -

, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
31–30
, style=", Chargers
19–16
, Broncos
69–53–1
, Chargers open SoFi Stadium. Drew Lock rallied Broncos to game-winning touchdown as time expired and overcoming a 24–3 deficit in their home win.
, -
,
, Tie 1–1
, style=", Broncos
28–13
, style=", Chargers
34–13
, Broncos
70–54–1
,
, -
,
, Tie 1-1
, style=", Broncos
31–28
, style=", Chargers
19–16(OT)
, Broncos
71–55–1
,
,
, -
,
, style=",
, style=", Broncos
16−9
, style=", Broncos
24–7
, Broncos
73–55–1
,
,

, -
, AFL regular season
, style=", Chargers 15–5
, Chargers 6–4
, Chargers 9–1
,
, -
, NFL regular season
, style=", Broncos 67–40–1
, Broncos 40–13–1
, Tie 27–27
,
, -
, AFL and NFL regular season
, style=", Broncos 72–55–1
, Broncos 44–19–1
, Chargers 36–28
,
, -
, NFL postseason
, style=", Broncos 1–0
, Broncos 1–0
, ''no games''
, 2013 AFC Divisional playoffs
, -
, Regular and postseason
, style=", Broncos 73–55–1
, Broncos 45–19–1
, Chargers 36–28
,
, -

Connections between the teams

Coaches

Players

Series leaders

Statistics limited to Chargers-Broncos regular season games. Correct through 2021 NFL season, 2021 season.

Notes

References

External links

Denver Broncos' official website

The Denver Post – Complete Broncos Coverage

Pro Football Hall of Fame – Denver Broncos team history



Los Angeles Chargers' official website

San Diego Union-Tribune – Chargers' coverage

Los Angeles Chargers team history

{{DEFAULTSORT:Broncos-Chargers rivalry
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