Broncos vs. Chargers: By The Numbers

Here are some key stats from the Broncos 29-24 loss to the Chargers.

• The Chargers won the battle of the clock. They had the ball for a whopping 40:08 compared to the Broncos 19:52. That’s what going 2-for-9 on third downs and a string of three-and-outs will do to you.
• The Broncos gave up 206 rushing yards, 125 of those to Ryan Mathews. Willis McGahee had his third 100+ yard rushing of the season.
• Philip Rivers showed his vulnerability under pressure. He had more turnovers (2) than touchdowns (1) despite throwing for 250 yards.
• The Broncos recorded 5 sacks on Rivers for a loss 0f 38 yards.

• Cassius Vaughn has been tested all season in the secondary. That’s what happens when you’re a second-year corner. His pick-six was the Broncos’ only touchdown in the first half.
• The Chargers eliminated Brandon Lloyd and Eric Decker from the game. Lloyd had 1 catch for 20 yards (a dazzling one-handed grab) while Decker had 2 catches for -4 yards. TE Daniel Fells led the team in receiving with 3 catches for 47 yards.
• Combined, the Broncos the QBs went 10-for-23 for 113 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT.
• Kicker Nick Novak put up over half of the Chargers 29 points. He had 17 on the day.
• The run game is where it was at for the Broncos today. They averaged 7.0 yards per run play and just 4.9 yards per pass play.
• The Broncos had 4 penalties which costed them 53 yards. The Chargers didn’ have one penalty.
• The Chargers certainly won the field position battle. Britton Colquitt came out to punt 6 times, and put just 1 ball inside the 20 yard line.
• The Broncos have lost their last three games, and go into the bye week 1-4. Up next: The Miami Dolphins in Miami.