Herbert, Chargers rally to beat Broncos, extend AFC West control to 3-0

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a fourth-quarter rally to beat the Denver Broncos 23-20 on Sunday, extending their winning streak over AFC West rivals to three and marking their first 3-0 start against division opponents since 2002.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has built a reputation for using a broad phrasebook to frame big moments, and Sunday offered another example as he referenced a Napoleon Bonaparte maxim to describe the team’s mindset after a tense finish. The Chargers weathered a heavy pass rush and a handful of penalties to complete the comeback, setting up a favorable run of games against teams with poor early-season records.

Herbert’s late, decisive drive proved pivotal. The quarterback endured five sacks and 14 hits by the Broncos, yet he delivered when it counted, finding Keenan Allen for a tying touchdown after escaping a sack and rolling to his left. It was Herbert’s 13th career fourth-quarter comeback, a hallmark of a patient offense and a quarterback who refuses to shrink from pressure.

The Chargers’ defense did its part as well, limiting Denver to 265 total yards and stifling the Broncos on third down, converting just 2 of 13 attempts. The unit allowed only three points and three first downs in the final 27 minutes, a stretch that corralled Denver into a late-game punt and sealed the win. Safety Derwin James Jr. anchored the effort with a game-high 12 tackles and four tackles for loss, underscoring a larger emphasis on disciplined, gap-sensitive defense.

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Najee Harris, who had been a focal point in preseason discussions, appears to be sidelined for the season with a left Achilles tendon injury, according to Harbaugh, who noted the diagnosis as preliminary while Harris underwent imaging. Harris’s absence would push more snaps to first-round pick Omarion Hampton, who totaled 129 yards from scrimmage and scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday as he stepped into an expanded role.

The injury situation extended beyond the backfield. RG Mekhi Becton sustained a concussion in the second quarter, and LB Khalil Mack was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow, sidelining him for at least the next three games. The Chargers will lean on their depth and resilience as they navigate these health concerns while trying to maintain momentum.

The victory also carried a sense of historical significance for the franchise’s start. Los Angeles opened the season with four straight wins for the first time since 2002, when Marty Schottenheimer led a team that ultimately finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The Chargers will now attempt to extend this early-season run in a projected softer slate, beginning with a visit to the New York Giants (0-3) on Sunday.

LA has historically had success against the Giants, having won five straight in the series by an average margin of 13 points. The all-time series lead sits at 8-5 in favor of the Chargers, a reminder that recent results have also shaped expectations for a bold, emerging stretch under Harbaugh’s leadership. The matchup in New York marks the first meeting between the teams since 2021, and the Chargers will look to keep their division momentum alive on the road.

The schedule ahead is favorable on the surface, with upcoming opponents the Giants, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans combining to start the year 0-9. That stretch could help build essential confidence and allow the Chargers to refine late-game execution, a factor that has defined their recent success and could determine whether they sustain this breakout run into the heart of a grueling season.