DENVER — – Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers had just one Sunday to deal with Patrick Surtain II.

After Surtain went out with a concussion on Denver’s first defensive play, Herbert led a clock-chewing, methodical offense that took advantage of the superstar’s departure for a 23-16 victory over the Broncos.

“We have a lot of respect for him as a defender, but it’s always the next move,” Herbert said. “We’re not worried about who’s there. … It’s about us. As long as we execute as an offensive unit and do what we can, I think we’ll like the result.”

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who missed the start of the game while being treated by team medical staff for an irregular heartbeat, called it a “great and glorious victory.”

Harbaugh returned to the sideline in the first quarter after receiving an IV and magnesium and coached the rest of the game. He said he would consult his cardiologist on Monday.

“He’s tough,” Herbert said. “He hid very well because I wasn’t aware of it.”

Denver didn’t blitz as much minus Surtain and the Chargers (3-2) built a 23-0 lead after three quarters. They looked for much of the afternoon as if they were going to hand the Broncos (3-3) their first home shutout in their 65-year history.

After two turnovers and five punts, the Broncos offense came alive when Bo Nix sparked the Broncos on a 95-yard scoring drive, capped by his 2-yard pass to fellow Oregonian Troy Franklin, then found Courtland Sutton for a diving 15 meters. yard TD grab with 5:22 left. However, a failed two-point attempt left the deficit in double digits.

The Broncos forced a punt to reach the Chargers 32 on their next possession and Wil Lutz’s 40-yard field goal on first down made it 23-16 with 59 seconds left. However, he wasn’t as accurate with his onside kicks.

His first onside kick – and a second chance after offsetting penalties – failed and the Chargers won their first win over Denver in two years and their first against Sean Payton in seven tries.

“It just didn’t perform the way we wanted, but we feel like the fight was there,” Nix said.

The game featured two of the league’s best defenses. And with Chargers star Joey Bosa missing his second straight game due to a nagging hip problem, the matchup appeared to tilt in favor of the Broncos, who hadn’t lost since Week 2.

Surtain’s concussion completely changed that calculus as the Broncos’ three-game winning streak ended.

“It was a real shame because he is not only a big part of the defense but also a big part of the team,” Sutton said.

Herbert set season highs in completions (21) and yards (237) while playing a ball-handling style that ate up yards and clock.

“I thought he was as precise as he could be or a quarterback could be,” Harbaugh said. “There were some great throws and some great moves to avoid the pressure. Throughout the entire game he just put the ball in the right place. I was super impressed.

“Hopefully this reminds everyone that Justin Herbert is really good at playing quarterback. He put it on the money.”

It helped that Surtain wasn’t in the way.

Surtain was hurt when he broke up Herbert’s first pass to Ladd McConkey. He will likely miss the next game as well, as it is Thursday night in New Orleans.

Without Surtain, the Broncos couldn’t stop the Chargers, who had two field goals and two touchdowns before kneeling to end the first half in which they had more than 21 minutes of possession.

The Broncos’ only push into Chargers territory in the first half ended in a lost fumble by running back Javonte Williams.

“We did everything you can’t do in a game like that,” Payton said after the Broncos lost the turnover battle, converting just three of 11 third downs to the Chargers’ 11 of 18. Some things are going well today.”

Rookie running back Kimami Vidal’s first NFL touch was a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown, making the score 10-0. JK Dobbins, who ran for 96 yards, scored on a 4-yard touchdown run and Cameron Dicker kicked field goals from 20 and 33 yards.

The final field goal capped a 20-play, 76-yard masterpiece that lasted 10:29 seconds and came one play after Herbert picked up his fumble, forced by Jonathon Cooper on a sack.

“Man, I thought we had some time to relax there,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. ‘That was different. That was a huge task, especially playing at this height, to get the defense to rest. And that’s another reason why we were able to achieve success.”

Surtain’s absence on Sunday showed his value to the Broncos, as did his performance a week earlier, when his two-interception performance against Las Vegas earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Surtain’s injury came one play after Chargers safety Elijah Molden picked off Nix’s first pass and returned it 25 yards to the Denver 31.

Injuries
Chargers: Departing with injuries were: G/T Trey Pickens (shoulder), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), DB Deane Leonard (hamstring) and CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring).

Broncos: RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) was inactive.

Next
Chargers: Visit the Arizona Cardinals on Monday evening, October 21.

Broncos: Visit the Saints on Thursday evening.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl