Chargers Finish 11–6 After 19–3 Loss to Broncos, Turn Focus to Patriots in Wild Card

The Chargers lost to the Denver Broncos 19–3 to finish the 2025–26 season with an 11–6 record, identical to last season.

Sunday was about going into Denver, playing the game, and getting out healthy before the playoffs begin next weekend. For the most part, the Chargers accomplished all three.

Jim Harbaugh’s decision to prioritize health proved to be the correct move, as the Chargers sat several key players including Justin Herbert, Derwin James, Khalil Mack, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Daiyan Henley, among others.

The Chargers will now travel to New England to face the second-place AFC Patriots in the Wild Card round. It sets up a Justin Herbert vs. Drake Maye and Jim Harbaugh vs. Mike Vrabel matchup in Round 1.

Despite the loss, the Chargers’ backups gave the Broncos’ starters some trouble.

With Herbert sitting, Trey Lance (20-for-44, 136 yards, one interception) made the start. It wasn’t pretty, but it was just the sixth start of his NFL career.

On the Broncos’ opening drive, Bo Nix (14-for-23, 141 passing yards, 49 rushing yards) moved the offense down the field, hitting Pat Bryant for a 9-yard gain on 3rd-and-6 from their own 30. On the next play, Nix scrambled for 22 yards to the Chargers’ 39. Runs by RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin picked up a combined 21 yards before the drive stalled on a 3-yard loss by Tyler Badie, as cornerback Tarheeb Still sniffed out the play. Broncos kicker Will Lutz connected on a 24-yard field goal to give Denver a 3–0 lead.

The Chargers’ second drive was ugly—really ugly. On 3rd-and-5 from their own 40, Lance threw a pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but the rookie receiver popped the ball up to Ja’Quan McMillian, who returned it for a touchdown to make it 10–0.

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Jan 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'quan McMillian (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Empower Field at Mile High.

Offense was a struggle for both teams. The Chargers had three drives of 13 plays, while Denver had three drives of 15 plays, but neither team scored again until just before halftime.

Lance opened the Chargers’ next scoring drive with an 11-yard scramble, followed by a series of short passes to move the chains. He completed four passes to Keenan Allen for 17 yards—enough for Allen to earn a $250,000 bonus by reaching 750 receiving yards on the season. Lance also found tight end Oronde Gadsden for six yards and hit Lambert-Smith for an 18-yard gain while covered by Patrick Surtain. Cameron Dicker knocked through a 30-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 10–3 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Broncos’ offense stalled with a three-and-out, which the Chargers matched.

Nix generated some momentum on Denver’s next drive with a 37-yard catch-and-run to tight end Evan Engram. However, after a run for no gain by Harvey and two incompletions, Lutz converted a 26-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13–3.

After two Chargers punts and one Broncos punt, Nix faced 3rd-and-1 from his own 28. He handed the ball to Harvey, but undrafted rookie linebacker Marlowe Wax shot through and made the stop for a one-yard loss.

The Chargers got the ball back at their own 24 when Nik Bonitto strip-sacked Lance, with Denver recovering. The Chargers’ defense responded, as defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe recorded one of his two sacks on 3rd-and-11 from the 21 to force a 41-yard Lutz field goal, pushing the score to 16–3.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Jan 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) hits Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High.

The Bolts continued to show fight, particularly on defense. With defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s name circulating as a head coaching candidate, performances like this only strengthen his résumé.

Denver secured the No. 1 seed and will receive a bye, while the Chargers head to New England—a team they have never beaten in three previous playoff matchups.

The Chargers did suffer injuries to cornerback Donte Jackson, receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, safety Kendall Williamson, and edge rusher Bud Dupree, all of whom left the game.

Those injuries will be worth monitoring, especially Jackson’s, as he is arguably the Chargers’ best cornerback.

Still, the Chargers are back in the playoffs. With several key players getting much-needed rest, they should be ready for their Wild Card matchup against the Patriots.