Broncos–Chargers rivalry
Broncos–Chargers
Denver Broncos | San Diego Chargers |
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First meeting |
October 16, 1960 Los Angeles Chargers 23, Denver Broncos 19 |
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Latest meeting |
January 3, 2016 Broncos 27, Chargers 20 |
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Next meeting |
October 13, 2016 |
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Statistics |
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Meetings total |
113 (including the playoffs) |
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All-time series |
The Broncos lead 63–49–1 (including the playoffs) |
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Postseason results |
The Broncos lead 1–0
- January 12, 2014: Broncos 24, Chargers 17
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Largest victory |
Broncos: 38–3 (1997); Chargers: 58–20 (1963), 41–3 (2007) |
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Longest win streak |
Broncos: 7 (1975–78); Chargers: 6 (1963–66) |
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Current win streak |
Broncos: 5 wins (2013–present)[lower-alpha 1] |
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Playoff and Championship success |
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AFL Championships (1960–1969)
- Super Bowl Championships (3)
- AFL Western Division Championships (5)
(1960–1969)
- AFC West Divisional Championships (25) (1970–present)
- Broncos (15) – 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Chargers (10) – 1979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
- AFC Wild Card Berths (10) (1970–present)
- Super Bowl Appearances (9)
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The Broncos–Chargers rivalry is a rivalry between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers in the National Football League's AFC West division. Since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Broncos and the Chargers have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the AFC West.
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, and 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.[1][2]
- 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 haltime, 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.[3]
- 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 1983.[4]
- 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.[5]
2007–present
- 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 controversial 39–38 victory.[7]
- December 28, 2008: The Broncos and Chargers met in the 2008 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).[8] This was also Mike Shanahan's last game as the Broncos' head coach, as he was fired two days later after 14 seasons.[9]
- 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.[10]
- 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 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.[11]
Game results
Note: All game dates occur on Sunday unless indicated otherwise.
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.[12]
1960s (Chargers 15–5)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
1960[lower-alpha 2] |
October 16 |
Los Angeles Chargers |
23–19 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
December 10 (Sat.) |
Los Angeles Chargers |
41–33 |
Denver Broncos |
Los Angeles |
1961 |
October 29 |
San Diego Chargers |
37–0 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 12 |
San Diego Chargers |
19–16 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
1962 |
September 7 (Fri.) |
Denver Broncos |
30–21 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 4 |
Denver Broncos |
23–20 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1963 |
October 6 |
Denver Broncos |
50–34 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 22 |
San Diego Chargers |
58–20 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1964 |
October 18 |
San Diego Chargers |
42–14 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 8 |
San Diego Chargers |
31–20 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
1965 |
September 11 (Sat.) |
San Diego Chargers |
34–31 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 7 |
San Diego Chargers |
35–21 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
1966 |
October 30 |
San Diego Chargers |
24–17 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 27 |
Denver Broncos |
20–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1967 |
October 22 |
San Diego Chargers |
38–21 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
November 23 (Thur.) |
San Diego Chargers |
24–20 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1968 |
October 20 |
San Diego Chargers |
55–24 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
December 1 |
San Diego Chargers |
47–23 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
1969 |
November 2 |
Denver Broncos |
13–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 23 |
San Diego Chargers |
45–24 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1970s (Broncos 13–6–1)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
1970 |
November 18 |
San Diego Chargers |
24–21 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
December 13 |
|
17–17 |
|
Denver |
1971 |
October 17 |
Denver Broncos |
20–16 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 12 |
San Diego Chargers |
45–17 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1972 |
September 24 |
San Diego Chargers |
37–14 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
December 10 |
Denver Broncos |
38–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1973 |
November 11 |
Denver Broncos |
30–19 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 9 |
Denver Broncos |
42–28 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1974 |
October 20 |
Denver Broncos |
27–7 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 15 |
San Diego Chargers |
17–0 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1975 |
November 16 |
Denver Broncos |
27–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 30 |
Denver Broncos |
13–10 (OT) |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1976 |
October 3 |
Denver Broncos |
26–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 14 |
Denver Broncos |
17–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1977 |
November 13 |
Denver Broncos |
17–14 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
December 11 |
Denver Broncos |
17–9 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1978 |
September 17 |
Denver Broncos |
27–14 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
October 8 |
San Diego Chargers |
23–0 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1979 |
October 7 |
Denver Broncos |
7–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 17 (Mon.) |
San Diego Chargers |
17–7 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1980s (Broncos 12–8)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
1980 |
September 21 |
San Diego Chargers |
30–13 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
November 9 |
Denver Broncos |
20–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1981 |
September 27 |
Denver Broncos |
42–24 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 29 |
San Diego Chargers |
34–17 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1982 |
September 12 |
San Diego Chargers |
23–3 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
November 28 |
San Diego Chargers |
30–20 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1983 |
October 3 |
Denver Broncos |
14–6 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 27 |
San Diego Chargers |
31–7 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1984 |
November 11 |
Denver Broncos |
16–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
December 9 |
Denver Broncos |
16–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1985 |
November 3 |
San Diego Chargers |
30–10 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 17 |
Denver Broncos |
30–24 (OT) |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1986 |
October 12 |
Denver Broncos |
31–14 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 9 |
San Diego Chargers |
9–3 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
1987 |
November 29 |
Denver Broncos |
31–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
December 27 |
Denver Broncos |
24–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1988 |
September 11 |
Denver Broncos |
34–3 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
October 2 |
Denver Broncos |
12–0 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1989 |
October 8 |
Denver Broncos |
16–10 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 24 |
San Diego Chargers |
19–16 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1990s (Broncos 13–7)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
1990 |
November 11 |
San Diego Chargers |
19–7 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
December 16 |
Denver Broncos |
20–10 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1991 |
September 22 |
Denver Broncos |
27–19 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 22 |
Denver Broncos |
17–14 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1992 |
September 13 |
Denver Broncos |
21–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
October 25 |
San Diego Chargers |
24–21 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1993 |
September 12 |
Denver Broncos |
34–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 5 |
San Diego Chargers |
13–10 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
1994 |
September 4 |
San Diego Chargers |
37–34 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
October 23 |
Denver Broncos |
20–15 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1995 |
September 24 |
San Diego Chargers |
17–6 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 19 |
Denver Broncos |
30–27 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1996 |
October 6 |
San Diego Chargers |
28–17 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
December 22 |
Denver Broncos |
16–10 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1997 |
November 30 |
Denver Broncos |
38–28 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
December 21 |
Denver Broncos |
38–3 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
1998 |
November 8 |
Denver Broncos |
27–10 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
November 29 |
Denver Broncos |
31–16 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
1999 |
November 7 |
Denver Broncos |
33–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
January 2, 2000 |
San Diego Chargers |
12–6 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
2000s (Broncos 11–9)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
2000 |
October 8 |
Denver Broncos |
21–7 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 19 |
Denver Broncos |
38–37 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2001 |
October 21 |
San Diego Chargers |
27–10 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
November 11 |
Denver Broncos |
26–16 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2002 |
October 6 |
Denver Broncos |
26–9 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 1 |
San Diego Chargers |
30–27 (OT) |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
2003 |
September 14 |
Denver Broncos |
37–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 16 |
Denver Broncos |
37–8 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2004 |
September 26 |
Denver Broncos |
23–13 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 5 |
San Diego Chargers |
20–17 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
2005 |
September 18 |
Denver Broncos |
20–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 31 (Sat.) |
Denver Broncos |
23–7 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
2006 |
November 19 |
San Diego Chargers |
35–27 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
December 10 |
San Diego Chargers |
48–20 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
2007 |
October 7 |
San Diego Chargers |
41–3 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
December 24 (Mon.) |
San Diego Chargers |
23–3 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
2008 |
September 14 |
Denver Broncos |
39–38 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 28 |
San Diego Chargers |
52–21 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
2009 |
October 19 (Mon.) |
Denver Broncos |
34–23 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 22 |
San Diego Chargers |
32–3 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
2010s (Broncos 9–4)
Year | Date | Winner | Result | Loser | Location |
2010 |
November 22 (Mon.) |
San Diego Chargers |
35–14 |
Denver Broncos |
San Diego |
January 2, 2011 |
San Diego Chargers |
33–28 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
2011 |
October 9 |
San Diego Chargers |
29–24 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
November 27 |
Denver Broncos |
16–13 (OT) |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
2012 |
October 15 (Mon.) |
Denver Broncos |
35–24 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
November 18 |
Denver Broncos |
30–23 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2013 |
November 10 |
Denver Broncos |
28–20 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
December 12 (Thur.) |
San Diego Chargers |
27–20 |
Denver Broncos |
Denver |
January 12, 2014 |
Denver Broncos |
24–17 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2014 |
October 23 (Thur.) |
Denver Broncos |
35–21 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
December 14 |
Denver Broncos |
22–10 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
2015 |
December 6 |
Denver Broncos |
17–3 |
San Diego Chargers |
San Diego |
January 3, 2016 |
Denver Broncos |
27–20 |
San Diego Chargers |
Denver |
2016 |
October 13 (Thur.) |
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San Diego |
January 1, 2017 |
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Denver |
Connections between the teams
Coaches
Name | Years with Broncos | Years with Chargers |
Craig Aukerman |
Defensive assistant, 2010 |
Assistant Special Teams coach, 2013–present |
Clancy Barone |
Tight ends coach, 2009, 2011–14 Offensive line coach, 2010, 2015–present |
Tight ends coach, 2007–08 |
Tim Brewster |
Tight ends coach, 2005–06 |
Tight ends coach, 2002–04 Assistant head coach, 2004 |
John Fox |
Head coach, 2011–14 |
Secondary coach, 1992–93 |
Alex Gibbs |
Offensive line coach, 1984–87 Assistant head coach/Offensive line coach, 1995–2003 Offensive line consultant, 2013 |
Offensive line coach, 1990–91 |
Mike McCoy |
Offensive coordinator, 2009–12 |
Head coach, 2013–present |
Ron Milus |
Secondary coach, 2000–02 and 2011–12 |
Secondary coach, 2013–present |
Mike Nolan |
Special teams coach, 1987–88 Linebackers coach, 1989–92 Defensive coordinator, 2009 |
Linebackers coach, 2015–present |
Wayne Nunnely |
Defensive line coach, 2009–11 |
Defensive line coach, 1997–2008 |
Dwain Painter |
Offensive assistant, 1997 |
Quarterbacks coach, 1994–96 |
Wade Phillips |
Defensive coordinator, 1989–92, 2015–present Head coach, 1993–94 |
Defensive coordinator, 2004–06 |
Players
Notes
- ↑ This includes the Broncos' 24–17 win over the Chargers during the 2013–14 NFL playoffs.
- ↑ The Chargers were known as the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, and played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during that season.
- ↑ Jimmy Spencer also worked as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Broncos in addition to playing during the 2003 season.
References
- ↑ Saccomano, Jim (October 3, 2007). "Broncos-Chargers Always Interesting". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 3, 2007.
- ↑ "On This Day in Broncos History: November 17". Mile High Report. November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ↑ Associated Press (September 5, 1994). "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. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ↑ "End Zone Sports Charities" (PDF).
- ↑ Bell, Jarrett (December 11, 2006). "Super Charger: L.T. sets single-season TD mark as Chargers clinch AFC West". USA Today. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Broncos' Bailey not a fan of Rivers after talk during game". ESPN. December 27, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Cutler finds Royal for late TD, two-point play to edge Chargers". ESPN. September 14, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ Caldwell, Gray (December 29, 2008). "End of the Road". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Shanahan, Broncos Part Ways". Denver Broncos. December 30, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ↑ Legan, Kenny (November 27, 2011). "Overtime Field Goal Caps Comeback". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ↑ Caldwell, Gray (October 16, 2012). "California Comeback". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
- ↑ "Boxscore finder: Denver Broncos vs San Diego Chargers". June 17, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
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