The Broncos–Chargers rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.
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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 two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the Broncos holding a 1–0 record.[1]
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.[2][3]
- 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.[4]
- 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 1983.[5]
- 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.[6]
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.[7]
- 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.[8]
- December 28, 2008: The Broncos and Chargers met in the 2008 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).[9] This was also Mike Shanahan's last game as the Broncos' head coach, as he was fired two days later after 14 seasons.[10]
- 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 called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak subsequently missed the second attempt.[11]
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, 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.[12]
- January 12, 2014: In the first and only postseason meeting in the history of the rivalry, Denver defeated the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round 24–17 to advance to the franchise's first AFC Championship Game since the 2005 season.[13] This was Peyton Manning's first of five playoff wins with the Broncos, as well as his first career playoff victory outside of Indianapolis. The Broncos, who honed a historically record-setting offense throughout the 2013 season, would go on to emerge victorious the following week in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 26–16 over the New England Patriots and advance to Super Bowl XLVIII, where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks 43–8.[14][15]
- 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 ice the kicker, forcing a second attempt.[16]
- 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.[17]
- 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.[18]
- 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.[19]
- 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.[20]
- December 27, 2020: The Chargers and Broncos had their 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.
More information Denver Broncos vs. San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Season-by-Season Results, Season ...
Denver Broncos vs. San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Season-by-Season Results[1] |
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
1970 |
Chargers 1–0–1 |
Tie 17–17 |
Chargers 24–21 |
Chargers 16–5–1 |
As a result of the AFL–NFL merge, the Broncos and Chargers are placed in the American Football Conference (AFC) and the AFC West. First and only tie game between both teams. |
1971 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 20–16 |
Chargers 45–17 |
Chargers 17–6–1 |
|
1972 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 38–13 |
Chargers 37–14 |
Chargers 18–7–1 |
Chargers win 9 straight home games (1963–1972). |
1973 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 30–19 |
Broncos 42–28 |
Chargers 18–9–1 |
|
1974 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 27–7 |
Chargers 17–0 |
Chargers 19–10–1 |
|
1975 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 13–10(OT) |
Broncos 27–17 |
Chargers 19–12–1 |
|
1976 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 26–0 |
Broncos 17–0 |
Chargers 19–14–1 |
|
1977 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 17–9 |
Broncos 17–14 |
Chargers 19–16–1 |
Broncos lose Super Bowl XII. |
1978 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 27–14 |
Chargers 23–0 |
Chargers 20–17–1 |
|
1979 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 7–0 |
Chargers 17–7 |
Chargers 21–18–1 |
Broncos win nine straight home games (1971–1979). |
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
1980 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 30–13 |
Broncos 20–13 |
Chargers 22–19–1 |
|
1981 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 42–24 |
Chargers 34–17 |
Chargers 23–20–1 |
Both teams finished with 10–6 records, but the Chargers clinched the AFC West based on a better division record, thereby eliminating the Broncos from playoff contention. |
1982 |
Chargers 2–0 |
Chargers 23–3 |
Chargers 23–3 |
Chargers 25–20–1 |
Both meetings were played despite the players' strike which reduced the season to 9 games. Chargers sweep the Broncos for the first time since the 1968 season. |
1983 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 14–6 |
Chargers 31–7 |
Chargers 26–21–1 |
|
1984 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 16–13 |
Broncos 16–13 |
Chargers 26–23–1 |
|
1985 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 30–24(OT) |
Chargers 30–10 |
Chargers 27–24–1 |
In Denver, Broncos block a potential Chargers' game-winning field goal and return it for a touchdown to win the game. |
1986 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 9–3 |
Broncos 31–14 |
Chargers 28–25–1 |
Broncos lose Super Bowl XXI. |
1987 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 24–0 |
Broncos 31–17 |
Chargers 28–27–1 |
Broncos lose Super Bowl XXII. |
1988 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 34–3 |
Broncos 12–0 |
Broncos 29–28–1 |
|
1989 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 16–10 |
Chargers 19–16 |
Broncos 30–29–1 |
Broncos lose Super Bowl XXIV. |
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
1990 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 20–10 |
Chargers 19–7 |
Broncos 31–30–1 |
|
1991 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 27–19 |
Broncos 17–14 |
Broncos 33–30–1 |
|
1992 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 21–13 |
Chargers 24–21 |
Broncos 34–31–1 |
|
1993 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 34–17 |
Chargers 13–10 |
Broncos 35–32–1 |
|
1994 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 37–34 |
Broncos 20–15 |
Broncos 36–33–1 |
Chargers lose Super Bowl XXIX. |
1995 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 30–27 |
Chargers 17–6 |
Broncos 37–34–1 |
|
1996 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 28–17 |
Broncos 16–10 |
Broncos 38–35–1 |
|
1997 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 38–3 |
Broncos 38–28 |
Broncos 40–35–1 |
Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII. |
1998 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 27–10 |
Broncos 31–16 |
Broncos 42–35–1 |
Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII. |
1999 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 12–6 |
Broncos 33–17 |
Broncos 43–36–1 |
|
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
2000 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 38–37 |
Broncos 21–7 |
Broncos 45–36–1 |
Last matchup at the Mile High Stadium. |
2001 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 26–16 |
Chargers 27–10 |
Broncos 46–37–1 |
Broncos open Invesco Field at Mile High (now known as Empower Field at Mile High). |
2002 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 26–9 |
Chargers 30–27(OT) |
Broncos 47–38–1 |
|
2003 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 37–8 |
Broncos 37–13 |
Broncos 49–38–1 |
In San Diego, Broncos accidentally brought their wrong jerseys, the white jerseys, to the game when the Chargers opted to wear their white jerseys. As punishment, the NFL allowed the Chargers to choose their uniform color for their matchup in Denver, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time since the 1983 season. |
2004 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 23–13 |
Chargers 20–17 |
Broncos 50–39–1 |
|
2005 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 20–17 |
Broncos 23–7 |
Broncos 52–39–1 |
|
2006 |
Chargers 2–0 |
Chargers 35–27 |
Chargers 48–20 |
Broncos 52–41–1 |
Chargers sweep the Broncos for the first time since the 1982 season. |
2007 |
Chargers 2–0 |
Chargers 41–3 |
Chargers 23–3 |
Broncos 52–43–1 |
|
2008 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 39–38 |
Chargers 52–21 |
Broncos 53–44–1 |
In Denver, a controversial officiating call helped the Broncos beat the Chargers. Chargers victory clinched them the AFC West and eliminated the Broncos from playoff contention. Both teams finished with 8–8 records, but the Chargers clinched the AFC West based on a better division record. |
2009 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 32–3 |
Broncos 34–23 |
Broncos 54–45–1 |
|
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
2010 |
Chargers 2–0 |
Chargers 35–14 |
Chargers 33–28 |
Broncos 54–47–1 |
As of October 13, 2024, this remains the most recent season sweep by the Chargers over the Broncos. |
2011 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 29–24 |
Broncos 16–13(OT) |
Broncos 55–48–1 |
Both teams finish with 8–8 records, but the Broncos clinch the AFC West based on a better record versus common opponents. |
2012 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 30–23 |
Broncos 35–24 |
Broncos 57–48–1 |
In San Diego, Broncos overtime a 24–0 halftime deficit. |
2013 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 27–20 |
Broncos 28–20 |
Broncos 58–49–1 |
Broncos lose Super Bowl XLVIII. |
2013 Playoffs |
Broncos 1–0 |
Broncos 24–17 |
|
Broncos 59–49–1 |
First postseason matchup. AFC Divisional. Broncos go on to lose Super Bowl XLVIII. |
2014 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 35–21 |
Broncos 22–10 |
Broncos 61–49–1 |
|
2015 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 27–20 |
Broncos 17–3 |
Broncos 63–49–1 |
In San Diego, Broncos extend their consecutive road division games wins to 15 with their win, an NFL record. In Denver, Broncos clinch the AFC West and the top seed in the AFC with their win. Broncos win Super Bowl 50. |
2016 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 27–19 |
Chargers 21–13 |
Broncos 64–50–1 |
Last season the Chargers played as a San Diego-based team. Chargers victory snapped the Broncos' 15 consecutive road division game wins, an NFL record. |
2017 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 24–21 |
Chargers 21–0 |
Broncos 65–51–1 |
Chargers relocate back to Los Angeles. In Denver, Broncos block game-tying field goal attempt at the end of regulation to hold on for the win. In Los Angeles, Chargers give Broncos their first shutout loss since the 1992 season. |
2018 |
Tie 1–1 |
Chargers 23–9 |
Broncos 23–22 |
Broncos 66–52–1 |
In Los Angeles, Broncos' K Brandon McManus kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired. |
2019 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 23–20 |
Broncos 20–13 |
Broncos 68–52–1 |
In Denver, Brandon McManus kicks a game-winning field goal as time expired. |
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at Los Angeles Chargers | Overall series | Notes |
2020 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 31–30 |
Chargers 19–16 |
Broncos 69–53–1 |
Chargers open SoFi Stadium. In Denver, Broncos overcome a 24–3 deficit as QB Drew Lock throws a game-winning touchdown as time expired. |
2021 |
Tie 1–1 |
Broncos 28–13 |
Chargers 34–13 |
Broncos 70–54–1 |
|
2022 |
Tie 1-1 |
Broncos 31–28 |
Chargers 19–16(OT) |
Broncos 71–55–1 |
|
2023 |
Broncos 2–0 |
Broncos 16−9 |
Broncos 24–7 |
Broncos 73–55–1 |
|
2024 |
|
October 13 |
December 22 |
Broncos 73–55–1 |
|
|
Season | Season series | at Denver Broncos | at San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | Notes |
AFL regular season |
Chargers 15–5 |
Chargers 6–4 |
Chargers 9–1 |
|
NFL regular season |
Broncos 67–40–1 |
Broncos 40–13–1 |
Tie 27–27 |
|
AFL and NFL regular season |
Broncos 72–55–1 |
Broncos 44–19–1 |
Chargers 36–28 |
|
NFL postseason |
Broncos 1–0 |
Broncos 1–0 |
no games |
AFC Divisional: 2013 |
Regular and postseason |
Broncos 73–55–1 |
Broncos 45–19–1 |
Chargers 36–28 |
Chargers have a 31–25 record in San Diego and currently have a 5–3 record in Los Angeles. |
|
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Coaches
More information Name, Chargers' tenure ...
Name | Broncos' tenure | Chargers' tenure |
Craig Aukerman |
Defensive assistant, 2010 |
Assistant Special Teams coach, 2013–2016 |
Clancy Barone |
Tight ends coach, 2009, 2011–2014 Offensive line coach, 2010, 2015–2016 |
Tight ends coach, 2007–2008 |
Tim Brewster |
Tight ends coach, 2005–2006 |
Tight ends coach, 2002–2004 Assistant head coach, 2004 |
Jeff Davidson |
Guard, 1990–1993 Offensive line coach, 2017 |
Offensive line coach, 2016 |
John Fox |
Head coach, 2011–2014 |
Secondary coach, 1992–1993 |
Alex Gibbs |
Offensive line coach, 1984–1987 Assistant head coach/Offensive line coach, 1995–2003 Offensive line consultant, 2013 |
Offensive line coach, 1990–1991 |
Anthony Lynn |
Running back, 1993, 1997–1999 Assistant special teams coach, 2000–2002 |
Head coach, 2017–2020 |
Mike McCoy |
Offensive coordinator, 2009–2012, 2017 |
Head coach, 2013–2016 |
Ron Milus |
Secondary coach, 2000–2002 and 2011–2012 |
Secondary coach, 2013–present |
Mike Nolan |
Special teams coach, 1987–1988 Linebackers coach, 1989–1992 Defensive coordinator, 2009 |
Linebackers coach, 2015 |
Wayne Nunnely |
Defensive line coach, 2009–2011 |
Defensive line coach, 1997–2008 |
John Pagano |
Outside linebackers coach, 2020–present |
Defensive assistant, 2002 Linebackers coach, 2003–2011 Defensive coordinator, 2012–2016 |
Dwain Painter |
Offensive assistant, 1997 |
Quarterbacks coach, 1994–1996 |
Wade Phillips |
Defensive coordinator, 1989–1992, 2015–16 Head coach, 1993–1994 |
Defensive coordinator, 2004–2006 |
Greg Williams |
Defensive backs coach, 2018 |
Assistant defensive backs coach, 2013–2015 |
Joe Lombardi |
Offensive Coordinator, 2023–present |
Offensive Coordinator, 2021-2022 |
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Players
More information Name, Position(s) ...
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Statistics limited to Chargers-Broncos regular season games. Correct through 2023 season.
More information Chargers, Ref ...
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Jimmy Spencer also worked as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Broncos in addition to playing during the 2003 season.
Caldwell, Gray (December 29, 2008). "End of the Road". Denver Broncos. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2013.