Broncos–Chargers rivalry explained

Broncos–Chargers rivalry
Team1:	Denver Broncos
Team2:	Los Angeles Chargers
Team1logo:	Denver Broncos wordmark.svg
Team2logo:	Los Angeles Chargers 2020 wordmark.svg
Location:	Denver, Los Angeles
Firstmeeting:	October 16, 1960 Chargers 23, Broncos 19^[1]
Mostrecent:	October 13, 2024 Chargers 23, Broncos 16
Nextmeeting:	December 19, 2024
Stadiums:	Broncos: Empower Field at Mile High Chargers: SoFi Stadium
Total:	130
Series:	Broncos: 73–56–1
Regularseason:	Broncos: 72–56–1
Postseason:	Broncos: 1–0
Largestvictory:	Broncos: 38–3 Chargers: 58–20 ; 41–3
Longeststreak:	Broncos: 7 (1975–1978) Chargers: 6 (1963–1966)
Currentstreak:	Chargers: 1 (2024–present)
Section Header:	Post-season history

The Broncos–Chargers rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.

All time score: Broncos 2644-2684 Chargers, as of Week 6 of the 2024 NFL Season.

Since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Broncos and Chargers have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, both clubs have competed in the American Football Conference (AFC) West division.

The Broncos lead the overall series, 73–56–1. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the Broncos holding a 1–0 record.^[1]

Notable moments

1985–2006

• November 17, 1985: Broncos' safety Dennis Smith blocked two straight field goal attempts in overtime, after the Chargers had advanced the football to the Broncos' 23-yard line in the first overtime possession. On 4th and 4 from the Broncos' 23, Smith blocked Bob Thomas' initial field goal attempt, only to have it negated due to a timeout being called by teammate Mike Harden prior to the kick. Following the timeout, Thomas attempted a second kick; this was also blocked by Smith and returned by Louis Wright for a 60-yard touchdown for a 30–24 Broncos' overtime win at Mile High Stadium.^{[2] [3]}
• September 4, 1994: The Broncos jumped out to a 24–6 lead at Mile High Stadium on the Chargers in the second quarter, however, the Chargers responded, and took a 27–24 lead at half time, after safety Stanley Richard returned a John Elway interception 99 yards for a touchdown just before halftime. The Chargers later sealed the victory after linebacker Junior Seau recovered a fumble by Elway in the game's closing seconds.^[4]
• September 14, 2003: The Broncos routed the Chargers 37–13 at Qualcomm Stadium. However, the game is notable for a uniform mix-up, in which the Broncos came to the stadium in their road white jerseys, when the host Chargers were planning to wear white, and were supposed to be the team that declared their uniform color. The Broncos were fined $25,000 as a result, and when the two teams met at Invesco Field at Mile High later that season in Week 11 (November 16), the NFL allowed the Chargers to choose their uniform color in advance, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time since .^[5]
• December 10, 2006: The Chargers routed the Broncos 48–20 at Qualcomm Stadium, in which Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson set a new NFL record for touchdowns in a single season, with 28.^[6]

2007–2011

• December 24, 2007: In the fourth quarter of a Monday night game at Qualcomm Stadium, Broncos' quarterback Jay Cutler was involved in a verbal scuffle with Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Matt Wilhelm, with Rivers taunting Cutler and Wilhelm mocking a "waving" gesture. Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey took exception to Rivers' taunting of Cutler.^[7]
• September 14, 2008: With 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Chargers were leading 38–31 in Denver. The Broncos hiked the ball on 2nd-and-goal from the Chargers' 1-yard line. Jay Cutler rolled out to the right and fumbled the football before he brought his arm forward, which was recovered by Chargers' linebacker Tim Dobbins. However, referee Ed Hochuli called the play dead as he believed it to be an incomplete pass, so the ball was returned to the Broncos at the 10-yard line (the spot where the ball hit the ground). Two plays later, on 4th-and-goal from the 4, Cutler threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Royal to make the score 38–37. Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game and send it to overtime, Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan opted for a 2-point conversion. Cutler completed the conversion with another pass to Royal, giving the Broncos a 39–38 victory.^[8]
• December 28, 2008: The Broncos and Chargers met in the regular-season finale in San Diego, with the winner clinching the AFC West title. Three weeks earlier, the Broncos were 8–5 and the Chargers were 5–8, with the Broncos losing their next two games and the Chargers winning their next two to pull to within one game of the Broncos for the division lead. Three and a half months after the aforementioned controversial Broncos' win in Denver, the Chargers exacted revenge, with an emphatic 52–21 win that not only completed a monumental Broncos' season-ending collapse, but also denied the Broncos a playoff berth. The two teams finished the 2008 season tied for first-place in the AFC West, each with an 8–8 record, however, the Chargers won the division based on a better record against AFC West divisional opponents (5–1 to the Broncos' 3–3).^[9] This was also Mike Shanahan's last game as the Broncos' head coach, as he was fired two days later after 14 seasons.^[10]
• November 27, 2011: Quarterback Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a 16–13 win at Qualcomm Stadium in overtime, with kicker Matt Prater nailing a 37-yard field goal with 29 seconds left. Earlier in overtime, the Broncos blocked a 53-yard attempt by Chargers' kicker Nick Novak, however, Broncos' head coach John Fox called a timeout prior to the kick. Novak subsequently missed the second attempt.^[11]

2012–present

• October 15, 2012: Trailing 24–0 at halftime after back-to-back special teams turnovers and an interception returned for a touchdown, quarterback Peyton Manning led the Broncos to a stunning 35–24 comeback win in San Diego. Three second-half interceptions and two lost fumbles by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers swung the momentum toward the Broncos' favor, as Manning and the Broncos capitalized on each Chargers' mistake. Manning went 13/14 for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the second half, hitting Demaryius Thomas on a 29-yard score with 10:56 left in the third quarter to get the Broncos on the scoreboard. Following a 65-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery by cornerback Tony Carter, the Broncos suddenly found themselves down only 10 as the Chargers watched their comfortable halftime lead dwindle. Manning added two more touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, finding Eric Decker on a 7-yard score and then connecting with Brandon Stokley on a 21-yard pitch and catch to give the Broncos a 28–24 lead with 9:03 left. Cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. sealed the comeback with a 46-yard interception return to put the Broncos up 35–24 with 2:06 left. The defense added one final takeaway as Rivers fumbled in the game's final minute to end what was certainly an instant Monday Night Football classic.^[12]
• January 12, 2014: In the first and only postseason meeting in the history of the rivalry, Denver defeated the Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round 24–17 to advance to the franchise's first AFC Championship Game since the 2005 season.^[13] This was Peyton Manning's first of five playoff wins with the Broncos, as well as his first career playoff victory outside of Indianapolis. The Broncos, who honed a historically record-setting offense throughout the 2013 season, would go on to emerge victorious the following week in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 26–16 over the New England Patriots and advance to Super Bowl XLVIII, where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks 43–8.^{[14] [15]}
• September 11, 2017: The Chargers were attempting a game-tying 44-yard field goal at Sports Authority Field at Mile High with five seconds left in the game, after trailing 24–7 to begin the fourth quarter. However, Chargers' placekicker Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt was blocked by Broncos' defensive end Shelby Harris for a Broncos' 24–21 win. Koo's initial field goal attempt was good, but it was nullified as the result of Broncos' head coach Vance Joseph calling a timeout in order to ice the kicker, forcing a second attempt.^[16]
• October 22, 2017: The Chargers shutout the Broncos by a score of 21–0. This was the Broncos' first shutout loss in 25 years, since the 1992 season. Chargers' wide receiver Travis Benjamin was instrumental in the victory with a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown and a 42 yard touchdown catch.^[17]
• November 18, 2018: The Chargers were leading 19–7 in the third quarter at StubHub Center, and were threatening to pull away from the Broncos. However, linebacker Von Miller swung the momentum in the Broncos' favor, with an interception of a screen pass by Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers, returning the football 40 yards to the Chargers' 18-yard line. This set up a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Royce Freeman to pull the Broncos to within a 19–14 deficit. Following a 2-yard touchdown by running back Phillip Lindsay (with an unsuccessful two-point attempt) and a go-ahead 30-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, Broncos' quarterback Case Keenum engineered a game-winning drive, culminating in a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Brandon McManus as time expired, for a 23–22 Broncos' victory.^[18]
• December 1, 2019: After a 46-yard field goal by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley tied the score at 20–20 with only 14 seconds remaining at Empower Field at Mile High, the game appeared to be headed to overtime. However, instead of a kneel-down, Broncos' rookie quarterback Drew Lock, in his NFL debut, launched a deep pass attempt to wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who drew a pass interference penalty on cornerback Casey Hayward at the Chargers' 35-yard line. This set up Broncos' placekicker Brandon McManus with the game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired.^[19]
• November 1, 2020: The Broncos trailed 24–3 in front of limited capacity at Empower Field at Mile High, and were stymied by the Chargers' defense in the first half. Entering the third quarter, the Broncos had scored only two touchdowns in the previous ten quarters. However, running back Phillip Lindsay ignited a rally with a 55-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Drew Lock threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to draw the Broncos to within a 24–17 deficit early in the fourth quarter. After Lock's second touchdown pass—a 40-yarder to wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton, coupled with two field goals by Chargers' placekicker Michael Badgley, the Broncos trailed 30–24 with 2:34 remaining in the game. The Broncos began their game-winning drive at their own 19-yard line. Following a pass interference penalty on Chargers' cornerback Brandon Facyson in the end zone on 4th-and-4 with one second remaining, Lock connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver K. J. Hamler as time expired, coupled with placekicker Brandon McManus kicking the subsequent game-winning extra point.^[20]
• December 27, 2020: The Chargers and Broncos had their first matchup at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers, led by Justin Herbert, won the game 19–16, as kicker Michael Badgley converted a 37-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining and the Chargers' defense intercepted the Broncos' last-second Hail Mary pass.

Season-by-season results

|-| 1960| style="| | style="| Chargers
23–19| style="| Chargers
41–33| Chargers
2–0| Inaugural season for both franchises and the American Football League (AFL). The Broncos and Chargers were placed in the AFL Western Division, resulting in two meetings annually.
Last season until the 2017 season the Chargers played as a Los Angeles-based franchise.
Chargers lose 1960 AFL Championship.|-| 1961| style="| | style="| Chargers
19–16| style="| Chargers
37–0| Chargers
4–0| Chargers relocate to San Diego.
Chargers lose 1961 AFL Championship.|-| 1962| style="| | style="| Broncos
30–21| style="| Broncos
23–20| Chargers
4–2| |-| 1963| Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
50–34| style="| Chargers
58–20| Chargers
5–3| In Denver, Broncos score their most points in a game against the Chargers and set a franchise record for most points scored in a game (broken in 2013).
In San Diego, Chargers record their largest victory against the Broncos with a 38–point differential, score their most points in a game against the Broncos, and set a franchise record for their most points scored in a game.
Chargers win 1963 AFL Championship.|-| 1964| style="| | style="| Chargers
31–20| style="| Chargers
42–14| Chargers
7–3| Chargers lose 1964 AFL Championship.|-| 1965| style="| | style="| Chargers
34–31| style="| Chargers
35–21| Chargers
9–3| Chargers lose 1965 AFL Championship.|-| 1966| Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
20–17| style="| Chargers
24–17| Chargers
10–4| Last matchup at Balboa Stadium.|-| 1967| style="| | style="| Chargers
38–21| style="| Chargers
24–20| Chargers
12–4| Chargers open San Diego Stadium.|-| 1968| style="| | style="| Chargers
47–23| style="| Chargers
55–24| Chargers
14–4| |-| 1969| Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
13–0| style="| Chargers
45–24| Chargers
15–5||-| | style="| | Tie
17–17| style="| Chargers
24–21| Chargers
16–5–1| As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, the Broncos and Chargers are placed in the AFC West.
First and only tie game between the two teams.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
20–16| style="| Chargers
45–17| Chargers
17–6–1||-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
38–13| style="| Chargers
37–14| Chargers
18–7–1| Chargers win 9 straight home games (1963–1972).|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
30–19| style="| Broncos
42–28| Chargers
18–9–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
27–7| style="| Chargers
17–0| Chargers
19–10–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
13–10(OT)| style="| Broncos
27–17| Chargers
19–12–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
26–0| style="| Broncos
17–0| Chargers
19–14–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
17–9| style="| Broncos
17–14| Chargers
19–16–1| Broncos lose Super Bowl XII.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
27–14| style="| Chargers
23–0| Chargers
20–17–1||-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
7–0| style="| Chargers
17–7| Chargers
21–18–1| Broncos win nine straight home games (1971–1979).|-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
30–13| style="| Broncos
20–13| Chargers
22–19–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
42–24| style="| Chargers
34–17| Chargers
23–20–1| Both teams finished with 10–6 records, but the Chargers clinched the AFC West based on a better division record, eliminating the Broncos from playoff contention.|-| | style="| | style="| Chargers
23–3| style="| Chargers
23–3| Chargers
25–20–1| Both meetings were played despite the players' strike which reduced the season to 9 games.
Chargers sweep the Broncos for the first time since the 1968 season.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
14–6| style="| Chargers
31–7| Chargers
26–21–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
16–13| style="| Broncos
16–13| Chargers
26–23–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
30–24(OT)| style="| Chargers
30–10| Chargers
27–24–1| In Denver, Broncos block a potential Chargers' game-winning field goal and return it for a touchdown to win the game.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
9–3| style="| Broncos
31–14| Chargers
28–25–1| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXI.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
24–0| style="| Broncos
31–17| Chargers
28–27–1| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
34–3| style="| Broncos
12–0| Broncos
29–28–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
16–10| style="| Chargers
19–16| Broncos
30–29–1| Broncos lose Super Bowl XXIV.|-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
20–10| style="| Chargers
19–7| Broncos
31–30–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
27–19| style="| Broncos
17–14| Broncos
33–30–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
21–13| style="| Chargers
24–21| Broncos
34–31–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
34–17| style="| Chargers
13–10| Broncos
35–32–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
37–34| style="| Broncos
20–15| Broncos
36–33–1| Chargers lose Super Bowl XXIX.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
30–27| style="| Chargers
17–6| Broncos
37–34–1||-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
28–17| style="| Broncos
16–10| Broncos
38–35–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
38–3| style="| Broncos
38–28| Broncos
40–35–1| In Denver, Broncos record their largest victory against the Chargers with a 35–point differential.
Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
27–10| style="| Broncos
31–16| Broncos
42–35–1| Broncos win Super Bowl XXXIII.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
12–6| style="| Broncos
33–17| Broncos
43–36–1| |-|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
38–37| style="| Broncos
21–7| Broncos
45–36–1| Last matchup at the Mile High Stadium.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
26–16| style="| Chargers
27–10| Broncos
46–37–1| Broncos open Invesco Field at Mile High (now known as Empower Field at Mile High).|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
26–9| style="| Chargers
30–27(OT)| Broncos
47–38–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
37–8| style="| Broncos
37–13| Broncos
49–38–1| In San Diego, Broncos accidentally brought their wrong jerseys, the white jerseys, to the game when the Chargers opted to wear their white jerseys. As punishment, the NFL allowed the Chargers to choose their uniform color for their matchup in Denver, and they chose navy blue, forcing the Broncos to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time since the 1983 season. |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
23–13| style="| Chargers
20–17| Broncos
50–39–1| |-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
20–17| style="| Broncos
23–7| Broncos
52–39–1||-| | style="| | style="| Chargers
35–27| style="| Chargers
48–20| Broncos
52–41–1| Chargers sweep the Broncos for the first time since the 1982 season.|-| | style="| | style="| Chargers
41–3| style="| Chargers
23–3| Broncos
52–43–1 | In Denver, Chargers tied their largest victory against the Broncos with a 38–point differential (1963).|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
39–38| style="| Chargers
52–21| Broncos
53–44–1| In Denver, a controversial officiating call helped the Broncos beat the Chargers.
Chargers victory clinched them the AFC West and eliminated the Broncos from playoff contention. Both teams finished with 8–8 records, but the Chargers clinched the AFC West based on a better division record.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
32–3| style="| Broncos
34–23| Broncos
54–45–1| |-|-| | style="| | style="| Chargers
35–14| style="| Chargers
33–28| Broncos
54–47–1| As of, this remains the most recent season sweep by the Chargers over the Broncos.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
29–24| style="| Broncos
16–13(OT)| Broncos
55–48–1 | Both teams finish with 8–8 records, but the Broncos clinch the AFC West based on a better record versus common opponents.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
30–23| style="| Broncos
35–24| Broncos
57–48–1| In San Diego, Broncos overtime a 24–0 halftime deficit.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
27–20| style="| Broncos
28–20| Broncos
58–49–1 | Broncos lose Super Bowl XLVIII.|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"| 2013 Playoffs| style="| | style="| Broncos
24–17| | Broncos
59–49–1| First postseason matchup. AFC Divisional.
Broncos go on to lose Super Bowl XLVIII.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
35–21| style="| Broncos
22–10| Broncos
61–49–1||-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
27–20| style="| Broncos
17–3| Broncos
63–49–1| In San Diego, Broncos extend their consecutive road division games wins to 15 with their win, an NFL record.
In Denver, Broncos clinch the AFC West and the top seed in the AFC with their win.
Broncos win Super Bowl 50. |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
27–19| style="| Chargers
21–13| Broncos
64–50–1 | Last season the Chargers played as a San Diego-based team.
Chargers victory snapped the Broncos' 15 consecutive road division game wins, an NFL record.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
24–21| style="| Chargers
21–0| Broncos
65–51–1 | Chargers relocate back to Los Angeles.
In Denver, Broncos block game-tying field goal attempt at the end of regulation to hold on for the win.
In Los Angeles, Chargers give Broncos their first shutout loss since the 1992 season.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Chargers
23–9| style="| Broncos
23–22| Broncos
66–52–1 | In Los Angeles, Broncos' K Brandon McManus kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.|-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
23–20| style="| Broncos
20–13| Broncos
68–52–1| In Denver, Brandon McManus kicks a game-winning field goal as time expired.|-|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
31–30| style="| Chargers
19–16| Broncos
69–53–1| Chargers open SoFi Stadium.
In Denver, Broncos overcome a 24–3 deficit as QB Drew Lock throws a game-winning touchdown as time expired.|-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
28–13| style="| Chargers
34–13| Broncos
70–54–1| |-| | Tie 1–1| style="| Broncos
31–28| style="| Chargers
19–16(OT)| Broncos
71–55–1||-| | style="| | style="| Broncos
16−9| style="| Broncos
24–7| Broncos
73–55–1||-| | style="| | style="| Chargers
23–16| December 19| Broncos
73–56–1||-|-| AFL regular season| style="|Chargers 15–5| Chargers 6–4| Chargers 9–1||-| NFL regular season| style="|Broncos 67–41–1| Broncos 40–14–1| Tie 27–27| |-| AFL and NFL regular season| style="|Broncos 72–56–1| Broncos 44–20–1| Chargers 36–28| |-| NFL postseason| style="|Broncos 1–0| Broncos 1–0| no games| AFC Divisional: 2013|-| Regular and postseason | style="|Broncos 73–56–1| Broncos 45–20–1| Chargers 36–28| Chargers have a 31–25 record in San Diego and currently have a 5–3 record in Los Angeles.|-

Connections between the teams

Coaches

Name	Broncos' tenure	Chargers' tenure
Craig Aukerman	Defensive assistant, 2010	Assistant Special Teams coach, 2013–2016
Clancy Barone	Tight ends coach, 2009, 2011–2014 Offensive line coach, 2010, 2015–2016	Tight ends coach, 2007–2008
Tim Brewster	Tight ends coach, 2005–2006	Tight ends coach, 2002–2004 Assistant head coach, 2004
Jeff Davidson	Guard, 1990–1993 Offensive line coach, 2017	Offensive line coach, 2016
John Fox	Head coach, 2011–2014	Secondary coach, 1992–1993
Alex Gibbs	Offensive line coach, 1984–1987 Assistant head coach/Offensive line coach, 1995–2003 Offensive line consultant, 2013	Offensive line coach, 1990–1991
Anthony Lynn	Running back, 1993, 1997–1999 Assistant special teams coach, 2000–2002	Head coach, 2017–2020
Mike McCoy	Offensive coordinator, 2009–2012, 2017	Head coach, 2013–2016
Ron Milus	Secondary coach, 2000–2002 and 2011–2012	Secondary coach, 2013–present
Mike Nolan	Special teams coach, 1987–1988 Linebackers coach, 1989–1992 Defensive coordinator, 2009	Linebackers coach, 2015
Wayne Nunnely	Defensive line coach, 2009–2011	Defensive line coach, 1997–2008
John Pagano	Outside linebackers coach, 2020–present	Defensive assistant, 2002 Linebackers coach, 2003–2011 Defensive coordinator, 2012–2016
Dwain Painter	Offensive assistant, 1997	Quarterbacks coach, 1994–1996
Wade Phillips	Defensive coordinator, 1989–1992, 2015–16 Head coach, 1993–1994	Defensive coordinator, 2004–2006
Greg Williams	Defensive backs coach, 2018	Assistant defensive backs coach, 2013–2015
Joe Lombardi	Offensive Coordinator, 2023–present	Offensive Coordinator, 2021-2022

Players

Name	Position(s)	Broncos' tenure	Chargers' tenure
Stephen Alexander	Tight end	2005–2007	2002–2003
Jeremiah Attaochu	Linebacker	2019–present	2014–2017
David Binn	Long snapper	2011 (one game)	1994–2010
Marco Coleman	Defensive end	2004–2005	1996–1998
David Diaz-Infante	Center/Guard	1996–1998	1987
Dedrick Dodge	Safety	1997	1998
Orlando Franklin	Guard	2011–2014	2015–2016
Melvin Gordon	Running back	2020–2022	2015–2019
Virgil Green	Tight end	2011–2017	2018–2020
Chris Harris, Jr.	Cornerback	2011–2019	2020–2021
Jacob Hester	Fullback	2012	2008–2011
Quentin Jammer	Cornerback/Safety	2013	2002–2012
Marlon McCree	Safety	2008	2006–2007
Anthony Miller	Wide receiver	1994–1996	1988–1993
Russell Okung	Offensive tackle	2016	2017–present
Shaun Phillips	Defensive end	2013	2004–2012
Adrian Robinson	Linebacker	2013 (six games)	2013 (three games)
Dante Rosario	Tight end	2011	2012
Eddie Royal	Wide receiver/Return specialist	2008–2011	2012–2014
Neil Smith	Defensive end	1997–1999	2000
Jimmy Spencer	Cornerback	2000–2003	1998–1999
Harry Swayne	Offensive tackle	1997–1998	1991–1996
Maa Tanuvasa	Defensive tackle	1995–2000	2001
Mitch Unrein	Defensive tackle	2011–2014	2015
Louis Vasquez	Guard	2013–2015	2009–2012
J. D. Walton	Center	2010–2013	2015
Wes Welker	Wide receiver/Return specialist	2013–2014	2004 (one game)
Jamal Williams	Nose tackle	2010	1998–2009

Series leaders

Statistics limited to Chargers-Broncos regular season games. Correct through 2023 season.

	Broncos	Chargers	Ref
Passing yards	John Elway – 6,548	Philip Rivers – 6,732	^[21] ^[22]
Rushing yards	Floyd Little – 843	LaDainian Tomlinson – 1,487	^[23] ^[24]
Receiving yards	Rod Smith – 1,400	Charlie Joiner – 1,324	^[25] ^[26]
Touchdowns	Shannon Sharpe – 13	LaDainian Tomlinson – 20	^[27] ^[28]
Sacks	Von Miller – 16	Leslie O'Neal –	^[29] ^[30]
Interceptions	Steve Foley – 8	Joe Beauchamp – 10	^[31] ^[32]

See also

• National Football League rivalries
• AFC West

External links

• Denver Broncos' official website
• The Denver Post – Complete Broncos Coverage
• Pro Football Hall of Fame – Denver Broncos team history
• Denver Broncos at Sports E-Cyclopedia.org
• Los Angeles Chargers' official website
• San Diego Union-Tribune – Chargers' coverage
• Los Angeles Chargers team history
• Los Angeles at Sports E-Cyclopedia.org

Notes and References

1. Web site: All Matchups, Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers . Pro Football Reference.
2. News: Saccomano, Jim . Broncos-Chargers Always Interesting . Denver Broncos . October 3, 2007 . October 3, 2007.
3. News: On This Day in Broncos History: November 17 . Mile High Report . November 17, 2012 . November 17, 2012.
4. News: Associated Press. Chargers Rally for 37-34 Victory : AFC: Trailing, 24-6, three touchdown passes by Humphries and a 99-yard interception return by Richard leads San Diego over Denver. . Los Angeles Times . September 5, 1994 . August 13, 2013.
5. Web site: End Zone Sports Charities.
6. News: Bell, Jarrett . Super Charger: L.T. sets single-season TD mark as Chargers clinch AFC West . USA Today . December 11, 2006 . August 13, 2013.
7. News: Broncos' Bailey not a fan of Rivers after talk during game . ESPN . December 27, 2007 . August 16, 2013.
8. News: Cutler finds Royal for late TD, two-point play to edge Chargers . https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114046/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=280914007 . dead . March 5, 2017 . ESPN . September 14, 2008 . August 16, 2013.
9. News: Caldwell, Gray . End of the Road . Denver Broncos . December 29, 2008 . August 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203175053/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/End-of-the-Road/d25c25c1-7892-11df-ba56-acc8e62813e9 . February 3, 2014 . dead .
10. News: Shanahan, Broncos Part Ways . Denver Broncos . December 30, 2008 . August 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111126213013/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Shanahan-Broncos-Part-Ways/d25552b8-7892-11df-ba56-acc8e62813e9 . November 26, 2011 . dead .
11. News: Legan, Kenny . Overtime Field Goal Caps Comeback . Denver Broncos . November 27, 2011 . August 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203174535/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Overtime-Field-Goal-Caps-Comeback/1f14cb49-c2dd-4ea0-91a1-61ccc61ccfb3 . February 3, 2014 . dead .
12. News: Caldwell, Gray . California Comeback . Denver Broncos . October 16, 2012 . October 16, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121018030842/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/California-Comeback/4e99f38e-d957-41d3-b441-e45b433e9ded . October 18, 2012 . dead .
13. News: Klis . Mike . Manning, Broncos get past Chargers; set up AFC title game vs. Patriots . The Denver Post . January 12, 2014 . January 12, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140122120918/http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_24897494/manning-broncos-chargers-playoffs-afc-patriots . January 22, 2014 . mdy .
14. Web site: Caldwell . Gray . How It Happened: Super Bowl Bound . Denver Broncos . January 19, 2014 . January 19, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140122034807/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/How-It-Happened-Super-Bowl-Bound/9634988d-88ab-4b6b-8da7-ecf2b68394bb . January 22, 2014 . dead .
15. News: Klis . Mike . Broncos, Peyton Manning struggle in Super Bowl blowout by Seahawks . The Denver Post . February 2, 2014 . February 2, 2014.
16. Web site: Broncos block late FG, top Chargers 24-21 in Joseph's debut . . September 12, 2017 . September 12, 2017.
17. Web site: Chargers send Broncos to 1st shutout loss in 25 years, 21-0.
18. Web site: McManus' FG as time expires lifts Denver over Los Angeles . ESPN . November 18, 2018 . November 18, 2018.
19. Web site: McManus' 53-yard field goal lifts Denver past Chargers 23-20 . ESPN . December 1, 2019 . December 1, 2019.
20. Web site: Williams . Charean . Broncos beat Chargers 31-30 on last-play touchdown . . November 1, 2020 . November 1, 2020.
21. Web site: Most passing yards, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
22. Web site: Most passing yards, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
23. Web site: Most rushing yards, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
24. Web site: Most rushing yards, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
25. Web site: Most receiving yards, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
26. Web site: Most receiving yards, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
27. Web site: Most touchdowns, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
28. Web site: Most touchdowns, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
29. Web site: Most sacks, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
30. Web site: Most sacks, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
31. Web site: Most interceptions, Broncos vs. Chargers . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.
32. Web site: Most interceptions, Chargers vs. Broncos . stathead.com . September 14, 2022.