DENVER – Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers only had to deal with Patrick Surtain II for a single moment on Sunday.

After Surtain left Denver’s first defensive game with a concussion, Herbert led a time-consuming, methodical offense that capitalized on the superstar’s departure to a 23-16 victory over the Broncos.

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

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who missed the start of the game because he was being treated by the team’s 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 practiced the rest of the game. He said he would consult his cardiologist on Monday.

“He’s tough,” Herbert said. “He hid really well because I didn’t know about it.”

Denver didn’t blitz as often without Surtain, and the Chargers (3-2) built a 23-0 lead after three quarters. For most of the afternoon, it seemed like they would hand the Broncos (3-3) their first home shutout in their 65-year history.

After two turnovers and five punts, the Broncos’ offense came to life as Bo Nix led the Broncos on a 95-yard scoring drive, capped by his 2-yard pass to former Oregon colleague Troy Franklin, and then hit Courtland Sutton for a 15-yard flying pass. Yard TD grab with 5:22 remaining. However, a failed 2-point attempt left the deficit at double digits.

The Broncos forced a punt and reached 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 replay after the penalty shootout was even – failed and the Chargers picked up their first win over Denver in two years and their first against Sean Payton in seven tries.

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

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

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

“It was very unfortunate because he’s a big part of not only the defense but the team,” Sutton said.

Herbert set season highs in completions (21) and yards (237) while playing a ball-control style that consumed yards and time.

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

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

It helped that Surtain wasn’t in his way.

Surtain was injured while parrying Herbert’s first pass to Ladd McConkey. He will also likely miss the next game as it is Thursday night in New Orleans.

Without Surtain, the Broncos were unable to stop the Chargers, who scored two field goals and two touchdowns before ending the first half in which they held the ball for more than 21 minutes with a kneel-down.

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

“We did all the things you can’t do in a game like this,” Payton said after the Broncos lost the turnover battle, converting just three of 11 third downs to the Chargers’ 11 of 18. “We didn’t do anything. Many things are good today.”

Rookie running back Kimami Vidal’s first NFL touchdown was a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown that made it 10-0. JK Dobbins, who ran for 96 yards, scored with a 4-yard touchdown run and Cameron Dicker made field goals of 20 and 33 yards.

The final field goal capped a 20-play, 76-yard performance that took 10:29 seconds and came one play after Herbert recovered his fumble forced by Jonathon Cooper with a strip sack.

“Man, I thought we had some time to relax over there,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. “That was different.” That was a big thing, especially at that height, to give the defense peace of mind. And that’s another reason why we were able to be successful.”

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

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

Injuries
Chargers: Lost with injuries: 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 night, October 21st.

Broncos: Visit the Saints on Thursday night.

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