Shipping recap: a defense hits 21 points to lead the Bronco, losing 31-30

Seriously, I seriously hope I don’t have to write this, but here it goes.

Shipper blew a 21-point lead to Broncos on Sunday Night Football as midfielder Drew Locke collided with wide receiver KJ Hamler for an abrupt relegation to defeat Chargers 31-30 at Mile High. This was the fourth lead of at least 16 points in many matches.

Broncos started the match on attack and was brought back into the sideline as quickly as they rushed after the Chargers’ defense forced quick trios. After only three plays, Herbert’s lower body was injured when he attempted a deep pass to Galen Gayton and Justin Simmons was able to undermine the throw for an early interception to change momentum.

Once again, the defense fortified. Denver had zero yards in the next three games and had to kick the field goal to go 3-0 up. Teams met in five rounds and turns on landing by bolts on the course of an oncoming six engines before Justin Herbert Keenan hit Allen in his first in-game landing on a lovely side arm throw.

In Chargers’ next offensive campaign, they cut 80 yards in six plays before Herbert headed with a two-yard drop throw to UDFA backer Gabby Napiers in the back of the finish zone to raise the score to 14-3 with 15 seconds left in the first half, all before being done. Adjust the charger to get the ball after the break.

Halfway through, Chargers’ defense halted the Broncos attack down to just a pair of first touchdowns and just two hours of rush. It was reminiscent of last week’s opening effort against Jaguar as they didn’t let their first completion until the second quarter.

The Shipper took advantage of the first half break and made it happen, opening the second half with 10 games and 75 yards culminating in receiving an incredible one-hand drop from Herbert to Mike Williams in the back corner of the finish zone. After forcing the Broncos to participate in sixth in the match, Bolts managed to score another field goal to take their lead to 17 before just over seven minutes in the third quarter.

But then … the momentum shifted. After restricting the Broncos to nearly nothing on the ground during the first 39 minutes of the match, Philip Lindsay sped through a small crease, knocking off an interference attempt by Nasser Adderley before beating the rest of the 55-yard score. Before this play, Lindsay had three carts in one yard.

After a kick in Los Angeles, Drew Locke made his first fatal mistake in the game, casting a false look at apprentice Jerry Judy picked up by Jenkins who jumped and brought him 23 yards back to the Denver 24-yard line.

In a frustrating way, Herbert diverted the ball to right-back to Bronco after a subtle pass to Williams, who was unable to wrestle the ball away from full back Brice Callahan.

Locke and Bronco took advantage of the sudden change and took advantage of the 80-yard attack in nine plays before hitting a tight end Albert Okwigpunam in the back of the finish zone to trim the Chargers’ lead to 24-14.

In the next round, the Bolts gained a bit of their momentum again with a 46-yard field goal by Michael Badgley – his second shift of the day – to increase the lead to 13.

The Broncos, who somehow admirably turned the script in the second half offensively, made only two plays to go the distance of 75 yards in the third touchdown of the match. The quick result was supported by a rather unnecessary jagged penalty kick and Adderley’s slide on the eventual touchdown pass to wide receiver Daishon Hamilton.

Herbert and Bolts responded well to the increasing pressure on their next offensive possession. They were able to take a strong five minutes off the clock, but the promising leadership was suddenly obliterated by Hunter Henry’s “crack block” penalty. The narrow end of a right-wing cannon wound occurred as Sam Tiffy threw his elbow in the face instantly creating a flag. Herbert couldn’t determine anything from that point, as he was eating a sack before finding Henry for a 13-yard gain in third and twenty-second places. Badgley switched his third field goal in the night to make a more comfortable lead 30-24.

Did not matter.

With only one lead to win the game to his name, Drew Locke escorted the Broncos attack down the field 81 yards in 14 plays. In fourth and fourth places, Brandon Faison – who had been battered by Casey Hayward – was asked for an interference penalty that closed it all down in Denver’s favor. In one, Locke took the snap and ran straight before hammering near the sideline while stalker Typhogen Campbell couldn’t do anything but watch him walk down the aisle. The plus point was good, and sealed the demise of the chargers.

Bolts dropped to 2-5 and they likely saw all of their qualifying chances defeated. Broncos moves to 3-4 causing the shipper to bounce back downstairs in the AFC West.