Game story
In Week 3 of the 2004 NFL season on 2004-09-26, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 23–13 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +9.01 total EPA.
On the individual side, J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.01 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+14.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Plummer · Denver Broncos · Passing · +9.01 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 R. Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +8.51 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
- 3 A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +8.51 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.13 EPA/play
- 4 D. Brees · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.94 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.94 EPA/play
- 5 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
- 6 R. Caldwell · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 7 J. Putzier · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.02 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
- 8 K. Osgood · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.63 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.63 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Plummer — DEN · Passing
J. Plummer posted the highest total EPA (+9.01) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 37 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.91 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Denver Broncos — R. Smith (J. Plummer pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — D. Brees
- Denver Broncos — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
- Denver Broncos — J. Elam
- 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: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 16 (Q1 53:21) — (8:21) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-R.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 53:15) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 5 (Q1 47:21) — (2:21) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 6–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 4 (Q2 42:27) — (12:27) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 5 (Q2 37:46) — (7:46) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q3 22:46) — (7:46) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 22:37) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 33 (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 18:29) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 33 (Q4 14:10) — (14:10) 10-N.Kaeding 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 25 (Q4 11:17) — (11:17) 1-J.Elam 43 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 (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 21-L.Tomlinson sacked at LAC 36 for -9 yards (28-K.Kennedy). FUMBLES (28-K.Kennedy), RECOVERED by DEN-68-M.Fatafehi at LAC 36. 68-M.Fatafehi to LAC 28 for 8 yards (79-M.Goff).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) 16-J.Plummer pass to 22-Q.Griffin to DEN 36 for 2 yards (58-R.Godfrey). FUMBLES (58-R.Godfrey), RECOVERED by LAC-58-R.Godfrey at DEN 36. 58-R.Godfrey to DEN 36 for no gain (66-T.Nalen).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 55:56) — (10:56) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-R.Smith pushed ob at LAC 37 for 32 yards (48-T.Kiel).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 19:42) — (4:42) 4-M.Knorr punts 49 yards to end zone, Center-83-M.Leach, Touchback. PENALTY on LAC-81-K.Osgood, Roughing the Kicker, 15 yards, enforced at LAC 49 - No Play.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q3 18:39) — (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 41:06) — (11:06) 21-L.Tomlinson sacked at LAC 36 for -9 yards (28-K.Kennedy). FUMBLES (28-K.Kennedy), RECOVERED by DEN-68-M.Fatafehi at LAC 36. 68-M.Fatafehi to LAC 28 for 8 yards (79-M.Goff).
- Denver Broncos (Q3 26:24) — (11:24) 16-J.Plummer pass to 22-Q.Griffin to DEN 36 for 2 yards (58-R.Godfrey). FUMBLES (58-R.Godfrey), RECOVERED by LAC-58-R.Godfrey at DEN 36. 58-R.Godfrey to DEN 36 for no gain (66-T.Nalen).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 49:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 21-L.Tomlinson pass to 9-D.Brees pushed ob at DEN 12 for 38 yards (28-K.Kennedy).
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) · 37 dropbacks · 67.6% completion · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.01 total EPA
- D.Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 34 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · +0.07 EPA/play · +2.26 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.009 | +0.094 |
| Offensive success rate | 42.2% | 44.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.019 | +0.225 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.232 | -0.520 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.094 | +0.009 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.0% | 57.8% |
By the numbers
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, +7.02 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, -0.74 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Denver Broncos leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- J. Plummer (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.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 53:21 · LAC 16 · Score 0-6
(8:21) 16-J.Plummer pass to 80-R.Smith for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 53:15 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q1 47:21 · DEN 5 · Score 3-7
(2:21) 10-N.Kaeding 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 42:27 · LAC 4 · Score 3-10
(12:27) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 37:46 · LAC 5 · Score 3-13
(7:46) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 22:46 · DEN 1 · Score 9-13
(7:46) 9-D.Brees up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 22:37 · DEN 2 · Score 10-13
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 18:39 · LAC 33 · Score 10-19
(3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 18:29 · LAC 2 · Score 10-20
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 14:10 · DEN 33 · Score 13-20
(14:10) 10-N.Kaeding 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 11:17 · LAC 25 · Score 13-23
(11:17) 1-J.Elam 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-4-M.Knorr.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-13 in Week 3, 2004 on 2004-09-26.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 13, Denver Broncos 23 (LAC 13-23 DEN) in Week 3, 2004 on 2004-09-26.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 6; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 3; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 13, Denver Broncos 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — R. Smith (J. Plummer pass) (Q1 53:21) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — D. Brees (Q3 22:46) Denver Broncos touchdown — A. Lelie (J. Plummer pass) (Q3 18:39) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q1 47:21, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 42:27, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q2 37:46, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q4 14:10, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 11:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos), 67.6% completion, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +9.01 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 41.2% completion, +0.07 EPA per dropback, +2.26 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
J. Plummer (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +9.01 on passing plays. across 37 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.91 EPA): (3:39) (Shotgun) 16-J.Plummer pass to 85-A.Lelie for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +14.6%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 1-1 Now 1-2 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 1-1 Now 2-1 W
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