Chargers vs Denver Broncos Match Player Stats

Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats from the September 21, 2025 NFL meeting tell a much more interesting story than the final 23-20 score alone. The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium, but Denver controlled large portions of the middle part of the game and entered the fourth quarter with a 20-13 advantage. The Chargers ultimately recovered through Justin Herbert’s passing, Keenan Allen’s late touchdown, and Cameron Dicker’s game-winning 43-yard field goal.

This was a game where individual performances, situational execution, and late-game efficiency mattered more than simply looking at total yards. Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards, but he also faced heavy pressure and was sacked five times. Bo Nix produced only 153 passing yards, yet Denver generated 118 rushing yards and received an outstanding performance from Courtland Sutton. J.K. Dobbins also averaged 7.5 yards per carry and scored a touchdown.

The result was a close AFC West contest in which both teams had stretches of control. The Chargers finished 3-0, while Denver dropped to 1-2. The player statistics help explain exactly how that happened.

Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats at a glance

The final score was:

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Denver Broncos	0	7	10	3	20
Los Angeles Chargers	3	7	3	10	23

Denver did not score in the opening quarter, but the Broncos responded with 17 points in the third quarter and another field goal early in the fourth.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, scored 10 fourth-quarter points after entering the period seven points behind.

That fourth-quarter reversal is central to understanding the player statistics.

Key individual performers

Los Angeles Chargers

• Justin Herbert: 28 completions on 47 attempts, 300 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• Keenan Allen: 7 receptions, 65 yards, 1 touchdown
• Quentin Johnston: 6 receptions, 89 yards
• Omarion Hampton: 70 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown
• Cameron Dicker: 3 field goals, 2 extra points, 11 points

Denver Broncos

• Bo Nix: 14 completions on 25 attempts, 153 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
• Courtland Sutton: 6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 touchdown
• J.K. Dobbins: 83 rushing yards and 1 touchdown
• Wil Lutz: 2 field goals and 2 extra points, 8 points
• Brandon Jones: 1 interception

These numbers show that Denver’s most efficient offensive production came from its running game and big-play passing, while Los Angeles depended heavily on Herbert’s volume passing attack.

Quarterback comparison

Quarterback statistics are usually the first place to look when evaluating a close NFL game, but this matchup demonstrates why completion totals and passing yards need context.

Justin Herbert’s performance

Justin Herbert completed 28 of 47 passes for 300 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

His listed passer rating was 76.6, while his QBR was 47.1.

The raw passing volume immediately stands out. Herbert attempted 47 passes, almost twice as many attempts as Bo Nix.

That volume helped the Chargers generate 300 passing yards and 28 completions. However, it also tells us that Los Angeles was not consistently winning through the running game.

Herbert was also sacked five times for a total loss of 30 yards. That is a significant factor when evaluating his overall performance.

His statistics can therefore be viewed from two different angles:

1. He generated 300 passing yards.
2. He absorbed five sacks and threw one interception.

The positive side is that Herbert continued attacking despite the pressure. The decisive moment came late in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles needed a touchdown to erase Denver’s 20-13 lead.

The Chargers put together a seven-play, 76-yard scoring drive, ending with Herbert’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen.

That play was particularly important because it changed the game from a Denver-controlled 20-13 contest into a 20-20 tie with only minutes remaining.

Bo Nix’s performance

Bo Nix completed 14 of 25 passes for 153 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions.

His passer rating was 87.6, higher than Herbert’s 76.6 despite producing less than half of Herbert’s passing yardage.

Nix also added 33 rushing yards on eight carries.

His statistical profile was based more on efficiency and complementary football than passing volume.

The Broncos did not ask Nix to throw 40-plus times. Instead, Denver was able to use J.K. Dobbins effectively and create a major explosive play through Courtland Sutton.

Nix’s biggest passing moment came when he connected with Sutton for a 52-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.

That play cut Los Angeles’ lead from 10-0 to 10-7 and gave Denver momentum heading into halftime.

Herbert vs Nix comparison

Statistic	Justin Herbert	Bo Nix
Completions	28	14
Attempts	47	25
Completion rate	59.6%	56.0%
Passing yards	300	153
Passing TDs	1	1
Interceptions	1	0
Sacks	5	2
Sack yards	30	6
Passer rating	76.6	87.6
Rushing yards	6	33

Herbert clearly produced more through the air, but Nix was more efficient by several traditional measures.

That contrast is one of the most useful lessons from this matchup. The quarterback with more yards did not automatically produce the better statistical efficiency, while the quarterback with fewer yards did not have enough late-game production to win.

Courtland Sutton was Denver’s biggest receiving weapon

Courtland Sutton delivered one of the strongest individual performances in the game.

He finished with:

• 6 receptions
• 8 targets
• 118 receiving yards
• 19.7 yards per reception
• 1 touchdown
• 52-yard longest reception

Sutton accounted for 118 of Denver’s 153 passing yards.

That means he produced roughly 77 percent of Denver’s passing yardage.

That is an enormous share of the Broncos’ aerial production.

The 52-yard touchdown was also Denver’s longest passing play and immediately changed the momentum of the game.

Sutton’s performance demonstrates how one high-impact receiver can transform an offense even when overall passing volume is relatively modest.

Denver completed only 14 passes, but Sutton alone accounted for six of them.

His 19.7-yard average also indicates that his production was not simply based on short completions. He provided explosive gains.

Chargers receiving statistics

The Chargers distributed the football much more widely.

Quentin Johnston

Quentin Johnston led Los Angeles in receiving yardage with:

• 6 receptions
• 10 targets
• 89 yards
• 14.8 yards per reception
• 37-yard longest reception
• 0 touchdowns

Johnston’s 10 targets were tied to a significant portion of Herbert’s passing workload.

He was an important source of intermediate and explosive receiving production, especially considering that Los Angeles needed to throw frequently.

Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen finished with:

• 7 receptions
• 11 targets
• 65 yards
• 9.3 yards per reception
• 20-yard longest reception
• 1 touchdown

His touchdown was the most important receiving play of the game.

With Denver ahead 20-13, Allen caught Herbert’s 20-yard touchdown pass to tie the score.

This is an important distinction between volume statistics and situational value.

Johnston gained more yards than Allen, but Allen produced the touchdown that directly changed the scoreboard in the final minutes.

Omarion Hampton

Hampton contributed in both the rushing and passing game.

As a runner, he recorded:

• 19 carries
• 70 yards
• 3.7 yards per carry
• 1 touchdown
• 11-yard longest run

As a receiver, he added:

• 6 receptions
• 59 yards
• 9.8 yards per reception
• 22-yard longest reception

That gives Hampton 129 combined rushing and receiving yards.

His involvement demonstrates how Los Angeles used him as a multi-dimensional offensive player rather than relying solely on him as a traditional running back.

Denver Broncos rushing performance

Denver’s running game was arguably its most efficient offensive component.

The Broncos finished with:

21 carries for 118 yards, a 5.6-yard average, and one touchdown.

That is a strong rushing average.

J.K. Dobbins

J.K. Dobbins was the standout.

He recorded:

• 11 carries
• 83 yards
• 7.5 yards per carry
• 1 touchdown
• 41-yard longest run

Dobbins produced more than 70 percent of Denver’s rushing yardage.

His 41-yard run was the longest rush of the game for either team.

He also scored Denver’s first touchdown after halftime, giving the Broncos a 14-10 lead.

That sequence was important because Denver entered halftime trailing 10-7 and immediately took control after the break.

Bo Nix as a runner

Nix added another 33 rushing yards on eight carries.

His 4.1-yard average was respectable and gave Denver another way to move the ball.

When combined with Dobbins’ production, Denver’s rushing attack was considerably more productive on a per-play basis than the Chargers’ rushing attack.

Los Angeles Chargers rushing performance

The Chargers ran the ball more frequently than Denver.

Los Angeles recorded:

• 28 carries
• 106 yards
• 3.8 yards per carry
• 1 touchdown

The difference is interesting.

Denver had fewer attempts but gained more rushing yards.

Los Angeles had seven more rushing attempts but finished 12 yards behind Denver.

Hampton leads the backfield

Hampton’s 19 carries represented the largest rushing workload on either team.

His 70 yards were important, but his 3.7-yard average shows that Denver’s defense did a relatively good job limiting consistent rushing efficiency.

Still, Hampton’s touchdown helped Los Angeles establish its early 10-0 advantage.

Najee Harris

Najee Harris carried six times for 28 yards.

His 4.7-yard average was better than Hampton’s average on a smaller workload.

He did not score a touchdown, but his running contributed to the Chargers’ overall rushing production.

Receiving comparison between the teams

The difference in passing volume becomes even clearer when the receiving totals are compared.

Team	Receptions	Receiving Yards	Targets	Average
Denver Broncos	14	153	23	10.9
Los Angeles Chargers	28	300	46	10.7

Los Angeles doubled Denver’s receptions and nearly doubled its receiving yardage.

Yet both teams averaged more than 10 yards per reception.

This is significant because it shows that Denver was not simply completing short passes. The Broncos had fewer completions but generated meaningful yardage through big plays.

Sutton’s 52-yard touchdown is the clearest example.

Los Angeles took the opposite approach. Herbert distributed the ball across several receivers and generated 300 passing yards through 28 completions.

The importance of defensive statistics

The defensive numbers reveal another major contrast.

Denver’s defense

Denver recorded:

• 89 total tackles
• 46 solo tackles
• 5 sacks
• 7 tackles for loss
• 7 pass deflections
• 14 quarterback hits

Those numbers indicate that Denver’s defense consistently pressured Herbert.

Five sacks and 14 quarterback hits are particularly important.

Herbert attempted 47 passes, so Denver had many opportunities to rush the passer. The Broncos were able to create disruption, but the defense could not finish the game after Denver built a 20-13 lead.

Chargers defense

Los Angeles recorded:

• 51 total tackles
• 34 solo tackles
• 2 sacks
• 5 tackles for loss
• 3 pass deflections
• 4 quarterback hits

The Chargers generated less quarterback pressure than Denver.

However, defensive effectiveness is not determined only by sacks.

The critical statistic was Denver’s ability to sustain drives late in the game.

Denver finished with only nine total first downs and went 2-for-13 on third down based on the provided game data.

That kind of third-down performance can make it difficult for an offense to protect a late lead.

Why the fourth quarter changed everything

The final quarter is the most important section when analyzing this matchup.

Denver began the fourth quarter with a 17-13 lead and extended that advantage to 20-13 after Wil Lutz converted a 26-yard field goal.

At that point, the Broncos were in a strong position.

But Los Angeles responded.

Herbert directed a 76-yard touchdown drive, and Allen finished it with a 20-yard touchdown reception.

The score became 20-20.

Denver then failed to create a lasting response, allowing Los Angeles to regain possession with enough time for Herbert to move the offense into field-goal range.

Dicker then converted a 43-yard field goal as time expired.

The final sequence illustrates an important football principle: a team can control much of a game and still lose if it cannot execute during the highest-leverage possessions.

Cameron Dicker’s perfect kicking performance

Cameron Dicker was perfect on field goals.

He made:

• 32-yard field goal
• 24-yard field goal
• 43-yard field goal

He also made both extra points.

His final total was 11 points.

The most important kick was obviously the 43-yard field goal at the end of regulation.

Dicker’s contribution was not limited to the winning kick, however. His earlier field goals provided points during drives that did not end in touchdowns.

That matters in a 23-20 game where the margin is only three points.

Wil Lutz also performed efficiently

Denver’s Wil Lutz made both of his field-goal attempts.

His successful kicks were:

• 42 yards
• 26 yards

He also converted both extra-point attempts.

Lutz finished with 8 points.

The Broncos therefore received reliable kicking production, but the Chargers’ three successful field goals ultimately produced three more points from field-goal attempts.

Turnovers and ball security

Turnovers can completely alter a close NFL game.

Denver recorded one interception through Brandon Jones.

Los Angeles did not record an interception.

The Chargers did, however, lose one fumble.

Derius Davis lost a fumble, while Omarion Hampton also recorded a fumble that was recovered by Los Angeles.

Denver therefore avoided losing a fumble in the provided statistics.

This is an interesting aspect of the final result because the Chargers still won despite committing a turnover.

The lesson is that turnovers matter, but they must be considered alongside field position, third-down performance, explosive plays, and fourth-quarter execution.

Special teams played a meaningful role

Special teams statistics can easily be overlooked when analyzing player performance, but this game included several notable contributions.

Denver kick returns

Marvin Mims Jr. returned four kickoffs for 114 yards.

His average was 28.5 yards per return, with a long of 32 yards.

Denver’s total kick return production was:

5 returns for 141 yards.

That provided useful field-position potential throughout the game.

Chargers kick returns

Los Angeles had:

5 returns for 127 yards.

Derius Davis produced 74 yards on three returns, while Hampton added a 30-yard return.

The Chargers therefore had slightly less kick-return yardage than Denver.

Punt returns

Mims was also effective as a punt returner.

He recorded:

• 2 punt returns
• 56 yards
• 28.0-yard average
• 32-yard long

That was one of Denver’s better hidden-yardage contributions.

Los Angeles returned three punts for 50 yards.

Punting comparison

Denver punted seven times for 330 yards.

Its average punt was 47.1 yards, with a long of 56 yards and three punts placed inside the 20.

Los Angeles punted five times for 249 yards.

Its average was 49.8 yards, with a long of 60 yards.

The Chargers had the higher gross punting average, while Denver had more punts placed inside the 20.

That difference illustrates why raw punt distance does not always tell the full story.

Field position is the real objective.

What the numbers say about Denver’s offensive strategy

Denver’s statistical profile suggests a team that wanted to stay efficient rather than rely on high passing volume.

Nix attempted only 25 passes.

Dobbins carried 11 times.

The Broncos averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt.

Sutton supplied the explosive receiving element.

This formula worked for long stretches.

The Broncos were able to move from a 10-0 deficit to a 20-13 lead.

The problem was sustaining that level of execution when the Chargers increased the pressure late.

Denver’s passing attack became heavily dependent on Sutton. That concentration can work when the primary receiver continues winning his matchups, but it can also become predictable.

What the numbers say about Los Angeles’ offensive strategy

Los Angeles operated differently.

Herbert attempted 47 passes.

The Chargers completed 28 passes.

Five different players caught at least four passes.

That distribution made the offense more difficult to defend because Denver could not focus exclusively on one receiver.

Johnston had 10 targets.

Allen had 11.

Hampton had seven.

Oronde Gadsden had seven.

Ladd McConkey had seven.

The ball was therefore spread across several players.

That distribution helped Los Angeles continue producing even when Denver generated significant pressure.

The biggest statistical mismatch

One of the most interesting mismatches was passing volume versus rushing efficiency.

Denver:

118 rushing yards on 21 attempts

Los Angeles:

106 rushing yards on 28 attempts

Denver gained more rushing yards despite running the ball seven fewer times.

At the same time:

Denver:

153 passing yards

Los Angeles:

300 passing yards

The Chargers therefore won through a substantially larger passing workload, while Denver was more efficient on the ground.

That combination produced a very close game.

The role of explosive plays

Explosive plays were critical.

Denver’s biggest offensive plays included:

• Sutton’s 52-yard touchdown reception
• Dobbins’ 41-yard run

Los Angeles’ largest listed receiving play was Johnston’s 37-yard reception.

Hampton’s longest reception was 22 yards, while Allen’s longest catch was 20 yards.

Denver therefore produced two major explosive plays that directly contributed to its scoring advantage.

However, Los Angeles generated enough sustained offensive production to overcome that advantage.

This is one reason total passing yardage can sometimes be misleading. Denver generated fewer yards overall but produced extremely valuable chunk plays.

Which players had the biggest impact?

1. Justin Herbert

Herbert’s 300 passing yards were the largest passing total of the game.

His performance was not flawless, but his late-game execution was decisive.

2. Courtland Sutton

Sutton was Denver’s most productive offensive player.

His 118 yards and touchdown gave the Broncos a major explosive-play advantage.

3. J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins averaged 7.5 yards per carry and scored a touchdown.

He was central to Denver’s second-half comeback.

4. Keenan Allen

Allen’s statistics were not the largest among Chargers receivers, but his late touchdown was arguably the most important offensive play for Los Angeles.

5. Cameron Dicker

Dicker scored 11 points and made the winning field goal.

In a three-point game, that production was decisive.

6. Omarion Hampton

Hampton produced 70 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and 59 receiving yards.

His combined contribution made him one of Los Angeles’ most versatile offensive players.

A closer look at offensive efficiency

A useful way to interpret the box score is to separate volume from efficiency.

Herbert’s 47 attempts represent high volume.

Nix’s 25 attempts represent much lower volume.

But Nix’s 87.6 passer rating exceeded Herbert’s 76.6.

Meanwhile, Denver’s rushing average of 5.6 yards per carry exceeded Los Angeles’ 3.8.

These numbers indicate that Denver was often efficient when it successfully executed its preferred offensive approach.

The Chargers’ advantage was their ability to generate more total offensive production and remain aggressive after falling behind.

That distinction explains why the final score was only three points despite the Chargers having a large passing-yardage advantage.

Why the final score does not tell the whole story

The Chargers won 23-20.

Someone looking only at the score might assume the teams were statistically almost identical.

They were not.

Los Angeles produced:

• 300 passing yards
• 106 rushing yards
• 406 combined passing and rushing yards before accounting for sack yardage

Denver produced:

• 153 passing yards
• 118 rushing yards
• 271 combined passing and rushing yards before accounting for sack yardage

Yet Denver led 20-13 early in the fourth quarter.

That happened because Denver converted its opportunities into touchdowns and field goals efficiently, while Los Angeles accumulated more offensive yardage over the full game.

The final result therefore demonstrates why offensive yardage and scoring efficiency should be evaluated separately.

Most important lessons from the player statistics

Several conclusions stand out from this game.

Denver’s rushing attack was highly effective

The Broncos averaged 5.6 yards per rushing attempt.

Dobbins was the primary reason.

Sutton provided elite big-play production

His 118 yards accounted for most of Denver’s receiving production.

Herbert had enormous passing responsibility

His 47 attempts show how heavily Los Angeles relied on its passing game.

Denver’s pass rush was disruptive

Five sacks and 14 quarterback hits demonstrate that the Broncos created significant pressure.

Los Angeles finished stronger

The Chargers scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.

Denver scored only three.

Third-down execution mattered

Denver’s 2-of-13 third-down performance made it difficult to maintain possession and protect the lead.

Kicking was decisive

Dicker made all three field-goal attempts, including the game winner.

How to read player stats from a close NFL game

For readers trying to understand a box score rather than simply repeat it, there is a useful process.

First, check the final score and quarter-by-quarter scoring.

Second, compare quarterback volume and efficiency.

Third, identify the most productive runner.

Fourth, examine whether receiving production was concentrated in one player or spread across the offense.

Fifth, review sacks and quarterback pressure.

Sixth, check turnovers.

Finally, look at fourth-quarter scoring and the final possessions.

Using this process with the Broncos and Chargers immediately reveals why the game went down to the final kick.

Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats and what they reveal

The Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats reveal two teams with very different offensive profiles.

Denver was more efficient on the ground and produced its biggest plays through Sutton and Dobbins.

Los Angeles generated significantly more passing production through Herbert and distributed receiving opportunities across several players.

Denver’s defense created more pressure, but Los Angeles was able to withstand it.

The Chargers also demonstrated stronger late-game execution.

That final factor ultimately separated the teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Chargers vs Broncos game on September 21, 2025?

The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Denver Broncos 23-20 at SoFi Stadium.

How many passing yards did Justin Herbert have against Denver?

Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards on 28 completions from 47 attempts. He had one touchdown and one interception.

How many rushing yards did J.K. Dobbins have?

J.K. Dobbins rushed 11 times for 83 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. He also scored one touchdown.

Who was Denver’s leading receiver?

Courtland Sutton led Denver with six receptions for 118 yards and one touchdown. His longest reception was 52 yards.

Who scored the game-winning points?

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker scored the winning points with a 43-yard field goal as time expired. He finished 3-for-3 on field goals and scored 11 total points.

Which team had more passing yards?

The Chargers had substantially more passing production. Los Angeles recorded 300 passing yards, compared with 153 for Denver.

Conclusion

The September 21, 2025 meeting between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers was a strong example of why NFL player statistics need context.

Denver’s offense was more efficient on the ground, with J.K. Dobbins averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Courtland Sutton also delivered an outstanding receiving performance, catching six passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. Bo Nix avoided interceptions and finished with an 87.6 passer rating.

Los Angeles, however, generated far more passing production. Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards, while Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, Omarion Hampton, Oronde Gadsden, and Ladd McConkey all contributed as receivers. Hampton also added a rushing touchdown.

The defensive numbers presented another contrast. Denver recorded five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, creating considerable pressure on Herbert. Yet Los Angeles was able to make the critical offensive plays late.

Ultimately, the fourth quarter decided the contest. Denver held a 20-13 lead, but Herbert led a late touchdown drive, Allen scored the tying touchdown, and Dicker converted the decisive 43-yard field goal.

The Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats therefore show a game defined by contrasting strengths: Denver’s rushing efficiency and explosive plays against Los Angeles’ passing volume and late-game execution.

For anyone studying the Chargers vs Denver Broncos match player stats, the most important takeaway is that the final 23-20 score was the result of situational execution rather than one team dominating every statistical category.