Game story
In Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-01-02, the Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 34–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +16.03 total EPA, and +2.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.03 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+7.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (3:24) 1-T.Long punts 42 yards to DEN 48, Center-54-M.Overton. 11-D.Spencer MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by LAC-37-K.Hall at DEN 49.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Herbert · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +16.03 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 2 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.80 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
- 3 M. Williams · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.71 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
- 4 N. Fant · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
- 5 D. Lock · Denver Broncos · Passing · +4.18 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 6 C. Sutton · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.94 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
- 7 J. Jackson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.81 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 8 J. Guyton · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Herbert — LAC · Passing
J. Herbert posted the highest total EPA (+16.03) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 33 counted snaps, they averaged +0.49 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.35 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: 8-B.McManus kicks 66 yards from DEN 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts for 101 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Ekeler
- Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Roberts
- Los Angeles Chargers — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass)
- Denver Broncos — N. Fant (D. Lock pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — D. Hopkins
- Denver Broncos — B. McManus
- Los Angeles Chargers — D. Hopkins
- Denver Broncos — B. McManus
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 3 (Q1 56:54) — (11:54) (No Huddle) 30-A.Ekeler right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 56:49) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long..
The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 10–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 1 (Q2 41:29) — (11:29) 6-D.Hopkins 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 8 (Q2 30:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 30:14) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 43 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 8-B.McManus 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q3 22:12) — (7:12) 6-D.Hopkins 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–10. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 5 (Q4 14:56) — (14:56) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 35 (Q4 14:53) — 8-B.McManus kicks 66 yards from DEN 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts for 101 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 14:40) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 45 (Q4 10:26) — (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep left to 81-M.Williams for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 10:18) — 6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q4 6:35) — (6:35) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short left to 87-N.Fant for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 6:31).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 33:24) — (3:24) 1-T.Long punts 42 yards to DEN 48, Center-54-M.Overton. 11-D.Spencer MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by LAC-37-K.Hall at DEN 49.
- Denver Broncos (Q1 52:07) — (7:07) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock sacked at DEN 46 for -10 yards (99-J.Tillery).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 58:45) — (13:45) 10-J.Herbert pass incomplete deep left to 15-J.Guyton. PENALTY on DEN-23-K.Fuller, Defensive Pass Interference, 14 yards, enforced at DEN 42 - No Play.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 41:27) — (11:27) 3-D.Lock pass deep left to 14-C.Sutton to LAC 31 for 44 yards (43-M.Davis).
- Denver Broncos (Q2 36:01) — (6:01) 33-J.Williams left guard to LAC 2 for no gain (93-J.Jones).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 14:53) — 8-B.McManus kicks 66 yards from DEN 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts for 101 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 10:26) — (10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep left to 81-M.Williams for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 33:24) — (3:24) 1-T.Long punts 42 yards to DEN 48, Center-54-M.Overton. 11-D.Spencer MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by LAC-37-K.Hall at DEN 49.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 26:45) — (11:45) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short left to 30-A.Ekeler to DEN 40 for 40 yards (23-K.Fuller). Denver challenged the runner was not down by contact ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on
Quarterback report card
J.Herbert led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) · 33 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.49 EPA/play · +16.03 total EPA
- D.Lock (Denver Broncos) · 31 dropbacks · 58.1% completion · +2.7% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +4.18 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.082 | +0.209 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.0% | 52.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.030 | +0.486 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.206 | -0.183 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.209 | +0.082 |
| Defensive success rate | 47.5% | 56.0% |
By the numbers
Los Angeles Chargers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.21 vs -0.08), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 9 drives, -6.15 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +16.72 total EPA, 6 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.
- J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) 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 56:54 · DEN 3 · Score 0-6
(11:54) (No Huddle) 30-A.Ekeler right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 56:49 · DEN 15 · Score 0-7
6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 41:29 · DEN 1 · Score 0-10
(11:29) 6-D.Hopkins 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 30:19 · DEN 8 · Score 0-16
(:19) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 13-K.Allen for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 30:14 · DEN 15 · Score 0-17
6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · LAC 43 · Score 3-17
(:02) 8-B.McManus 61 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 22:12 · DEN 5 · Score 3-20
(7:12) 6-D.Hopkins 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 14:56 · LAC 5 · Score 6-20
(14:56) 8-B.McManus 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 14:53 · DEN 35 · Score 6-26
8-B.McManus kicks 66 yards from DEN 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts for 101 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 14:40 · DEN 15 · Score 6-27
6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 10:26 · DEN 45 · Score 6-33
(10:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep left to 81-M.Williams for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 10:18 · DEN 15 · Score 6-34
6-D.Hopkins extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Overton, Holder-1-T.Long. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 6:35 · LAC 5 · Score 12-34
(6:35) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short left to 87-N.Fant for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 6:31 · LAC 15 · Score 13-34
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin. PENALTY on LAC-26-A.Samuel, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 34-13 in Week 17, 2021 on 2022-01-02.
What was the final score of Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
The final score was Denver Broncos 13, Los Angeles Chargers 34 (DEN 13-34 LAC) in Week 17, 2021 on 2022-01-02.
What was the score by quarter in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Q1: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 7; Q2: Denver Broncos 3, Los Angeles Chargers 10; Q3: Denver Broncos 0, Los Angeles Chargers 3; Q4: Denver Broncos 10, Los Angeles Chargers 14; Final: Denver Broncos 13, Los Angeles Chargers 34.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Ekeler (Q1 56:54) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 30:19) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Roberts (Q4 14:53) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — M. Williams (J. Herbert pass) (Q4 10:26) Denver Broncos touchdown — N. Fant (D. Lock pass) (Q4 6:35) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — D. Hopkins (Q2 41:29, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 30:02, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — D. Hopkins (Q3 22:12, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q4 14:56, 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. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), 66.7% completion, +2.5% CPOE, +0.49 EPA per dropback, +16.03 total passing EPA. D. Lock (Denver Broncos), 58.1% completion, +2.7% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +4.18 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers?
J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +16.03 on passing plays. across 33 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.35 EPA): 8-B.McManus kicks 66 yards from DEN 35 to LAC -1. 7-A.Roberts for 101 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +7.9%.
Season records after this game
Denver Broncos
Entered 7-8 Now 7-9 L
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 8-7 Now 9-7 W
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