Game story
In Week 13 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-12-05, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 20–17 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -6.96 total EPA.
On the individual side, A. Lelie (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.93 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-37.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (3:45) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Wilson (29-D.Florence) at LAC 7. Touchback.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +9.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.48 EPA/play
- 2 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
- 3 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +4.70 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.57 EPA/play
- 4 J. Putzier · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.65 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.65 EPA/play
- 5 R. Droughns · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 6 T. Bell · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
- 7 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +0.63 total EPA · 30 snaps · +0.02 EPA/play
- 8 D. Watts · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +0.55 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
A. Lelie — DEN · Receiving
A. Lelie posted the highest total EPA (+9.93) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +2.48 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.66 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (3:45) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Wilson (29-D.Florence) at LAC 7. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Denver Broncos — T. Bell
- Los Angeles Chargers — L. Tomlinson
- Denver Broncos — R. Droughns
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q1 57:06) — (12:06) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 57:01) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 16 (Q2 43:32) — (13:32) 26-T.Bell up the middle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 43:27) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q2 37:09) — (7:09) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 37:05) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 4 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q3 20:15) — (5:15) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 4 (Q4 14:23) — (14:23) 34-R.Droughns up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 14:18) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 13 (Q4 9:30) — (9:30) 1-J.Elam 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 3:45) — (3:45) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Wilson (29-D.Florence) at LAC 7. Touchback.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 6:36) — (6:36) 16-J.Plummer pass to 88-J.Putzier to LAC 18 for 39 yards (48-T.Kiel).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) 5-M.Scifres punts 52 yards to DEN 20, Center-50-D.Binn. 80-R.Smith to DEN 41 for 21 yards (5-M.Scifres).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:32) — (:32) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 17-D.Watts to LAC 46 for 13 yards (59-D.Edwards).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 17-D.Watts to LAC 36 for 10 yards (59-D.Edwards, 23-Q.Jammer).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q4 3:45) — (3:45) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Wilson (29-D.Florence) at LAC 7. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 53:29) — (8:29) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 85-A.Gates INTERCEPTED by 28-K.Kennedy at DEN 40. 28-K.Kennedy pushed ob at LAC 39 for 21 yards (61-N.Hardwick).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 31:31) — (1:31) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 95-S.Phillips at DEN 17. 95-S.Phillips to DEN 17 for no gain (72-G.Foster).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 52:44) — (7:44) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 89-D.Carswell INTERCEPTED by 53-S.Foley (58-R.Godfrey) at LAC 38. 53-S.Foley to LAC 42 for 4 yards (66-T.Nalen).
Quarterback report card
J.Plummer led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 47 dropbacks · 34.0% completion · -0.15 EPA/play · -6.96 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 30 dropbacks · 46.7% completion · -0.49 EPA/play · -14.80 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.119 | -0.128 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.8% | 44.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.154 | -0.493 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.066 | -0.013 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.128 | +0.119 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.0% | 62.2% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Denver Broncos -0.12, Los Angeles Chargers -0.13) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Denver Broncos: 14 drives, -10.75 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 14 drives, -10.77 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Chargers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- A. Lelie (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 57:06 · DEN 5 · Score 0-6
(12:06) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 57:01 · DEN 2 · Score 0-7
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 43:32 · LAC 16 · Score 6-7
(13:32) 26-T.Bell up the middle for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 43:27 · LAC 2 · Score 7-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 37:09 · DEN 1 · Score 7-13
(7:09) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 37:05 · DEN 2 · Score 7-14
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · DEN 4 · Score 7-17
(:03) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 20:15 · DEN 5 · Score 7-20
(5:15) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 14:23 · LAC 4 · Score 13-20
(14:23) 34-R.Droughns up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 14:18 · LAC 2 · Score 14-20
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 9:30 · LAC 13 · Score 17-20
(9:30) 1-J.Elam 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 20-17 in Week 13, 2004 on 2004-12-05.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was Denver Broncos 17, Los Angeles Chargers 20 (DEN 17-20 LAC) in Week 13, 2004 on 2004-12-05.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q2: Denver Broncos 7, Los Angeles Chargers 10; Q3: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 3; Q4: Denver Broncos 10, Los Angeles Chargers 0; Final: Denver Broncos 17, Los Angeles Chargers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q1 57:06) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Bell (Q2 43:32) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 37:09) Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Droughns (Q4 14:23) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q2 30:03, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q3 20:15, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 9:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos), 34.0% completion, -0.15 EPA per dropback, -6.96 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 46.7% completion, -0.49 EPA per dropback, -14.80 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
A. Lelie (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +9.93 on receiving plays. across 4 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.66 EPA): (3:45) 16-J.Plummer pass intended for 80-R.Smith INTERCEPTED by 20-J.Wilson (29-D.Florence) at LAC 7. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was -37.6%.
Was Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Los Angeles Chargers won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 7-4 Now 7-5 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 8-3 Now 9-3 W
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