Broncos-Chargers third quarter update: Denver is on the move heading into the final quarter

To open up the second half, the Los Angeles Chargers tried to establish their rushing attack. However, Melvin Gordon wasn’t finding much room to run against the leagues top run defense.

Philip Rivers instead took to the air going back to Hunter Henry. It seems he was always open whether Brandon Marshall or Todd Davis was in coverage. On third and six, after a false start penalty, Aqib Talib jumped a route and nearly picked the pass off.

Either way the Chargers went three and out to start the second half.

A 69-yard punt set Trevor Siemian and the Broncos offense up at their own one-yard line ensuring this languishing offense won’t be catching any breaks any time soon.

The Broncos smartly hand off to Jamaal Charles on first down for a short gain to get some breathing room. On second down, from the shotgun, Siemian nearly threw another interception but Jordan Taylor jumped in front for the low catch and an 8-yard gain.

Two plays later, Siemian holding the ball much too long - again - would be sacked by Joey Bosa to force a third and a very long 12. Siemian would throw quickly six yards short of the sticks to force another Broncos punt.

The Chargers started to move the ball on their next drive, but a Domata Peko came up with a sack on Rivers to set them back into a second and 15. Rivers would get nine of those yards back on a tight pass to Keenan Allen. Rivers would go to Michael Williams on third down, but he would drop the ball just outside of field goal range.

From their own nine yard line, Siemian would hit Demaryius Thomas for an 81-yard reception. Unfortunately, Thomas threw the defender down to make the catch and the play was negated.

Bennie Fowler was wide open had Siemian progressed beyond his first read of a well covered Thomas on that play. Instead, it became first and 15. After a short run and a short pass, Siemian on third and four would have his pass tipped and nearly picked off.

Instead, it was another three and out for the Broncos offensive juggernaut.

With great field position again, the Chargers from their own 43-yard line would finally get a good run from Gordon for 9-yards. Russell Okung would commit a personal foul on the play by cutting the back of the knees of Todd Davis to wipe that good play from the board.

On first and 25, Gordon would catch a quick pass across the middle of the field for six. From there the crowd began to change ‘defense’ from the stands. Bradley Roby would knock down a pass to Allen to force a third and forever for Rivers and the Chargers.

A 12-yard gain later the Chargers would punt. Again.

With respectable field position, the Broncos offense needed to get something going late in the third quarter.

Siemian rolled out to his right on first down and had Virgil Green wide open deep down the sideline, but the throw was horribly underthrown and nearly picked off. Green made a great play to break up the near interception.

Fortunately, C.J. Anderson would pick up 11-yards on his next carry to get the first down.

A short pass outside to Andy Janovich would result in a 10-yard gain and the Broncos offense finally started to get things going past midfield.

Two plays later on third down and three the quarter ended.