Broncos-Chargers third quarter update: Denver put the Chargers on blast in the third

The Los Angeles Chargers received the second half kickoff. The Denver Broncos defense came out intent on stopping Melvin Gordon from gashing them for more in the final 30 minutes, stopping him on two consecutive plays.

On third down, Phillip Rivers fired the ball down the field to Keenan Allen, but was intercepted by Bradley Roby for the first turnover of the game.

With excellent field position, the Broncos didn’t need to go far to reach field goal range. However, Demaryius Thomas dropped a wide open pass at the first down sticks to force a third and long. Trevor Siemian faked a short throw, then went right back to Thomas deep who made an outstanding catch at the ten yard line for a first and goal.

Siemian, avoiding the rush, scrambled - somehow! - down to the Chargers two yard line. C.J. Anderson would punch it in on the next play, but had the touchdown called back for an illegal shift.

On third and goal from the six yard line, Siemian fired a bullet into Bennie Fowler for a touchdown pass.

Broncos 21, Chargers 7.

The defense continued doing its thing on the next drive with Shaquil Barrett destroying Phillip Rivers’ blindside. With Miller tripled teamed still, it was Barrett’s chance to shine. And shine he did.

A screen pass to Melvin Gordon on the next play went backwards as well, so on third down as 18 the Chargers kept it nice and conservative.

The Broncos were red hot at this point in the game and after a quick first down, Jamaal Charles took a sweep to the outside for a big gain.

The offense was clicking good, with one of the bigger plays was Emmanuel Sanders catching a pass on one sideline and weaving his way sideways all the way to the other sideline for the first down.

After a Charles carry, the Broncos were again inside the Chargers 10 yard line. On second down, Anderson took a screen pass for five more yards to setup a short third down attempt. Charles took the carry and bulled his way down to the one yard line for a first and goal.

The Chargers blew up two straight running plays on the goal line, forcing the Broncos to go the air on third down. Siemian hit Sanders in the end zone, but his momentum carried him out of bounds forcing a field goal attempt to end the quarter.

Broncos 24, Chargers 7.