NFL Thursday night: Chargers derail Broncos playoff express in second half

The Los Angeles Chargers stopped the Denver Broncos from securing an AFC playoff spot while taking a giant step toward the playoffs with a 34-27 victory Thursday night.

The Chargers scored 21 points in 15:31 of the second half to overtake the Broncos, who had scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game. Los Angeles hadn’t scored that many points in the second half in its previous 14 games this season.

The Chargers’ second-half rally came after Los Angeles ended the first half with the first successful free kick in the NFL since 1976. Interference on a Denver punt put the Broncos within range of Cameron Dicker to make an uncontested 57-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw two touchdown passes and running back Gus Edwards had his second touchdown drive of the game during the Chargers’ second-half rally.

Eleven Alabama high school and college players took the field during the Denver-Los Angeles game:

Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine (Spanish Fort) made four tackles and intercepted a pass. A fifth-round draft pick out of Missouri on April 27, Abrams-Draine made his NFL debut with 12 defensive snaps and 12 special teams plays in a 41–32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on December 2, then played 58 defensive snaps in Sunday’s 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Abrams-Draine’s first NFL interception came against Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert at the Denver 1-yard line, and he returned the interception 17 yards.

Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) started at center for the Chargers.

Broncos inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (Pinson Valley) did not record any statistics.

Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) made a tackle.

Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snaps for three punts, two extra points and a field goal.

Bo Nix (Pinson Valley, Auburn) started at quarterback for the Broncos. Nix completed 29 of 40 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 25 yards on three carries.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Alabama) recorded the first sack of his NFL career.

Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 41.7 yards on three punts. Scott had a punt of 38 yards for a fair catch, a 41 yarder for a fair catch and a 46 yarder for a fair catch. Denver receiver Marvin Mims entered the game with the most punt return yards in the NFL this season with 408, but he had all three catches. Scott also held Dicker’s free kick late in the first half.

Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith (Saks) recorded no statistics.

Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) dressed for the game but did not play.

Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) started at left cornerback for the Broncos. Surtain made four tackles.

Chargers return Kimani Vidal (Troy) ran for 24 yards on five carries.

Broncos cornerback Levi Wallace (Alabama) was designated inactive on game day.

Thursday’s result left each team with a 9-6 record.

The Chargers will secure a playoff spot if the Miami Dolphins lose to the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The only way Los Angeles misses the playoffs now is if the Chargers lose their remaining two games and the Cincinnati Dolphins, Colts and Bengals win their remaining three games.

The Broncos could still be in the playoffs by the end of this week’s games if the Dolphins, Colts and Bengals, who play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, all lose. For Denver to miss the playoffs, the Broncos will have to lose their remaining two games while the Dolphins and Bengals win their remaining three games.

Denver faces the Bengals at 3:30 p.m. CST on December 28 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Los Angeles faces the New England Patriots on December 28 at noon at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

FOR MORE AL.COM NFL COVERAGE, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.