Game story
In Week 16 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-12-24, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 23–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Cutler (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with -11.61 total EPA, and -16.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-12.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (12:46) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler sacked at LAC 18 for 0 yards (99-I.Olshansky). FUMBLES (99-I.Olshansky) [93-L.Castillo], RECOVERED by LAC-56-S.Merriman at LAC 16. 56-S.Merriman to LAC 16 for no gain (73-
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 10 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +9.45 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 2 C. Chambers · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.85 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.96 EPA/play
- 3 B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.04 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
- 4 L. Tomlinson · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +4.99 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 5 T. Scheffler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.05 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.03 EPA/play
- 6 V. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 7 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.72 EPA/play
- 8 C. Davis · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Rivers — LAC · Passing
P. Rivers posted the highest total EPA (+9.45) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 26 counted snaps, they averaged +0.36 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.87 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (3:42) 7-B.Volek FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 9, RECOVERED by DEN-79-M.Thomas at LAC 7. 79-M.Thomas to LAC 7 for no gain (7-B.Volek).
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
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- 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 10–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 23 (Q1 52:32) — (7:32) 10-N.Kaeding 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 17 (Q1 46:59) — (1:59) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q1 46:51) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 6–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q2 33:45) — (3:45) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 11 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 10-N.Kaeding 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 14 (Q3 23:03) — (8:03) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 89-C.Chambers for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 22:56) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 5 (Q3 17:50) — (2:50) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-6-J.Cutler..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 57:46) — (12:46) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler sacked at LAC 18 for 0 yards (99-I.Olshansky). FUMBLES (99-I.Olshansky) [93-L.Castillo], RECOVERED by LAC-56-S.Merriman at LAC 16. 56-S.Merriman to LAC 16 for no gain (73-
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 48:35) — (3:35) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 89-C.Chambers to DEN 12 for 30 yards (22-D.Foxworth). FUMBLES (22-D.Foxworth), ball out of bounds at DEN 12.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle to DEN 46 for 2 yards (47-J.Lynch). PENALTY on DEN-47-J.Lynch, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced at DEN 46.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 58:43) — (13:43) 6-J.Cutler pass deep middle to 88-T.Scheffler to LAC 21 for 20 yards (42-C.Hart). Penalty on LAC-31-A.Cromartie, Illegal Use of Hands, declined.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 45:30) — (:30) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 88-T.Scheffler pushed ob at DEN 45 for 17 yards (29-D.Florence).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 18:42) — (3:42) 7-B.Volek FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 9, RECOVERED by DEN-79-M.Thomas at LAC 7. 79-M.Thomas to LAC 7 for no gain (7-B.Volek).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 57:46) — (12:46) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler sacked at LAC 18 for 0 yards (99-I.Olshansky). FUMBLES (99-I.Olshansky) [93-L.Castillo], RECOVERED by LAC-56-S.Merriman at LAC 16. 56-S.Merriman to LAC 16 for no gain (73-
- Denver Broncos (Q4 11:48) — (11:48) 37-C.Sapp up the middle to LAC 3 for -1 yards (57-M.Wilhelm).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 20:22) — (5:22) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 15-B.Marshall to LAC 21 for 27 yards (23-Q.Jammer).
Quarterback report card
J.Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 39 dropbacks · 35.9% completion · -16.6% CPOE · -0.30 EPA/play · -11.61 total EPA
- P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 26 dropbacks · 65.4% completion · +11.6% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +9.45 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.244 | +0.022 |
| Offensive success rate | 31.0% | 42.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.298 | +0.151 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.494 | -0.108 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.022 | +0.244 |
| Defensive success rate | 57.8% | 69.0% |
By the numbers
Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.24), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -17.33 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, +1.81 total EPA, 5 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.
- P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Cutler (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 52:32 · DEN 23 · Score 0-3
(7:32) 10-N.Kaeding 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q1 46:59 · DEN 17 · Score 0-9
(1:59) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 46:51 · DEN 2 · Score 0-10
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 33:45 · DEN 5 · Score 0-13
(3:45) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · DEN 11 · Score 0-16
(:02) 10-N.Kaeding 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 23:03 · DEN 14 · Score 0-22
(8:03) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 89-C.Chambers for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 22:56 · DEN 2 · Score 0-23
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 17:50 · LAC 5 · Score 3-23
(2:50) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-6-J.Cutler.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 23-3 in Week 16, 2007 on 2007-12-24.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was Denver Broncos 3, Los Angeles Chargers 23 (DEN 3-23 LAC) in Week 16, 2007 on 2007-12-24.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 10; Q2: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 6; Q3: Denver Broncos 3, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Final: Denver Broncos 3, Los Angeles Chargers 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q1 46:59) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 23:03) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q1 52:32, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q2 33:45, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q2 30:02, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q3 17:50, 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. Cutler (Denver Broncos), 35.9% completion, -16.6% CPOE, -0.30 EPA per dropback, -11.61 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 65.4% completion, +11.6% CPOE, +0.36 EPA per dropback, +9.45 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +9.45 on passing plays. across 26 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.87 EPA): (3:42) 7-B.Volek FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 9, RECOVERED by DEN-79-M.Thomas at LAC 7. 79-M.Thomas to LAC 7 for no gain (7-B.Volek).. The biggest win-probability swing was -12.7%.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 6-8 Now 6-9 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 9-5 Now 10-5 W
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