At a Glance
- Broncos secure AFC’s top playoff seed with a 19-3 victory over the Chargers.
- Ja’Quan McMillian returns an interception 45 yards for a touchdown.
- Denver ties franchise record with 14 wins and earns first No.1 seed since 2015.
- Why it matters: The win gives Denver a first-round bye and sets up a potential playoff clash with the Chargers.
In a decisive 19-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos clinched the AFC’s top playoff seed, with Ja’Quan McMillian’s 45-yard interception return for a touchdown sealing the win.
Game Highlights
The Broncos stopped 11 of 12 Chargers drives, while the Chargers had two turnovers and two drives ending with a turnover on downs. Wil Lutz was perfect, converting four of four field-goal attempts. McMillian said he had messed up the play in practice, but the same play paid off in the game.
Key Statistics
- 19-3 final score
- 45-yard interception return for a touchdown
- 68 sacks recorded by Denver this season
- 4-0 record for Lutz on field-goal attempts
Quotes
Ja’Quan McMillian said:
> “We actually ran that play in practice against that same exact (formation) and I messed it up, so we had to redo it. And VJ gave me the coaching point on it… I was coming down on the ball to make a tackle, it was a tip, he dropped it, got a pick and just ran it in for the touchdown.”
Riley Moss added:
> “And now the season truly starts, right? You win or you go home, and so the stakes are high and we’re going to be ready to roll in two weeks.”
Jim Harbaugh commented:
> “Yeah, New England. Focus on New England.”
Bo Nix reflected:
> “We’ve been fortunate this year to play a lot of close games and we’ve won a lot of close games. It hasn’t been the pretty ones that you want, the flashy, big-time wins, the ones you get to go there and rest a little bit in the fourth. But… it’s put us in a position to see what winning football is like.”
Courtland Sutton said:
> “A win is a win… I don’t care if it’s 3-2. It doesn’t have to be exciting. At the end of the day you have to have more points than the other team and you get the dub.”
Keenan Allen laughed:
> “We’ll talk about it,” and joked about buying Lance dinner.
Playoff Implications
The win ties the franchise record for most wins in a season and gives Denver a first-round bye. The Broncos will host their first playoff game in a decade, possibly against the Chargers if L.A. defeats the Patriots.
Injuries
- Chargers: CB Donte Jackson (ankle), Lambert-Smith (hamstring), S Kendall Williamson (ankle)
- Broncos: S P.J. Locke (leg) injured in 2nd quarter, starting in place of injured S Brandon Jones
Key Takeaways
- Broncos secure No.1 seed with dominant defense and a 45-yard interception return.
- First-round bye sets up a potential Chargers matchup in the playoffs.
- Bo Nix’s record-tying 24 wins in two seasons highlight the team’s resilience.
The Broncos’ dominant defense and timely interception return have secured a top seed, setting the stage for a long-awaited playoff showdown.
