NFL Scores & Highlights: Los Angeles Chargers transfer nearer to playoffs with Broncos 34-27 win after 48 years of honest kickoff | NFL Information

Justin Herbert handed for 284 yards and two touchdowns, each within the fourth quarter, because the Los Angeles Chargers moved nearer to their playoff spot by beating the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night time.

The Chargers’ comeback additionally included Cameron Dicker making the primary profitable kick within the NFL in 48 years.

He was good for 57 yards on the ultimate play of the primary half to carry the Chargers inside 21-13.

Gus Edwards rushed for 2 touchdowns for Los Angeles (9-6), which wants losses to Indianapolis and Miami on Sunday to safe a second playoff berth in three seasons.

Denver (9-6) might have clinched a playoff spot, however its four-game successful streak ended. The Broncos nonetheless have an 85 % likelihood of succeeding, based on the NFL, however they nonetheless have powerful checks in Cincinnati on Dec. 28 and at dwelling in opposition to Kansas Metropolis in Week 18.

Bo Nix was 29 of 40 for 263 yards and two touchdowns for Denver because the Broncos appeared on observe to wrap up their first playoff berth since 2015 after scoring on their first three drives to go up 21-10. However after Wil Lutz’s 41-yard discipline purpose halfway by the third quarter gave the Broncos a 24-13 benefit, the Chargers fought again.

Edwards – who had 14 carries for 68 yards – introduced the Bolts inside 24-19, however the two-point conversion was no good when Herbert was stopped in need of the purpose line.

On their subsequent drive, Herbert – who accomplished 23 of 30 passes with one interception – rushed to the left and launched his physique off his left foot towards Davis with 12:29 left.

Herbert then discovered Joshua Palmer behind the tip zone for the two-point conversion. Palmer tipped the ball together with his left hand, then secured it earlier than going out of bounds to make it 27-24.

Los Angeles put it out of attain with 2:27 left on Herbert’s 34-yard landing cross to Hassan Haskins.

Lutz narrowly accomplished a 55-yard discipline purpose with 57 seconds remaining to carry Denver inside a landing, however Los Angeles’ Nick Niemann recovered the onside kick to sprint any hopes of a comeback.

Statistics leaders

Los Angeles Chargers:

Passage: Justin Herbert, 23/31, 284 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Speeding : Gus Edwards, 14 carries, 68 yards, 2 touchdowns

Reception : Ladd McConkey, 6 catches, 87 yards

Denver Broncos:

Passage: Bo Nix, 29/40, 263 yards, 2 touchdowns

Speeding : Audric Estime, 9 carries, 48 ​​yards, 1 TD

Reception : Marvin Mims Jr, 3 catches, 62 yards

Herbert accomplished passes to 10 gamers, together with Ladd McConkey, who had six receptions for 87 yards. Nix had two landing passes within the first half and accomplished 15 of 21 passes for 155 yards earlier than halftime.

It was the primary time this season that the Los Angeles protection allowed scores on three consecutive possessions to start out a sport.

Audric Estime’s three-yard run to proper guard gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead halfway by the primary quarter, and after Edwards tied the rating, Denver bought again in entrance when Nix rolled proper and related with Michael Burton on a 1-yard run. TD in the beginning of the second quarter.

Devaughn Vele caught a six-yard cross within the left nook of the tip zone to make it 21-10 with 6:22 left within the first half earlier than Dicker’s kick appeared to vary the momentum.

Dicker makes free kick historical past

Coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers took benefit of a hardly ever used honest kick, which permits a staff that simply made a very good kick to try a free throw for 3 factors. The kick is tried from the road of scrimmage and the defending staff should stand 10 yards away.

The Chargers had been capable of attempt it as a result of Denver’s Tremon Smith ran interference on what would have been the ultimate play of the primary half when Los Angeles’ Derius Davis tried to discipline Riley Dixon’s punt to the Chargers 38.

The penalty moved the ball to the Denver 47 for an untimed cease. The Chargers had been additionally the final staff to efficiently execute a free throw when Ray Wersching transformed from 45 yards for San Diego on November 21, 1976, in opposition to Buffalo.

What’s subsequent?

If outcomes proceed elsewhere, the Chargers might already be assured of a playoff spot of their subsequent sport on Dec. 28 in opposition to the New England Patriots.

The Broncos, in the meantime, journey to Cincinnati to get again to successful methods three days after Christmas to safe their very own playoff spot.

Watch the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. the Houston Texans from 6 p.m. Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities NFL. Stream with NOW.