Game story
In Week 8 of the 2014 NFL season on 2014-10-23, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 35–21 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +12.17 total EPA, and +11.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, P. Manning (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +21.70 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+12.2% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right to 10-E.Sanders for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Denver Broncos | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 P. Manning · Denver Broncos · Passing · +21.70 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 2 P. Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +12.17 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 3 E. Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +11.96 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
- 4 A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +7.17 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
- 5 D. Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.01 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 6 E. Royal · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +3.33 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 7 R. Hillman · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.69 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 8 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.57 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
P. Manning — DEN · Passing
P. Manning posted the highest total EPA (+21.70) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.57 EPA per play.
The signature play (+4.07 EPA) came from Los Angeles Chargers: (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 4 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 — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass)
- Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (P. Rivers pass)
- Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass)
- Denver Broncos — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass)
- Denver Broncos — J. Thompson
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass)
- Denver Broncos — J. Thompson
- Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass)
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q2 43:41) — (13:41) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 43:35) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 2 (Q2 33:11) — (3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-K.Allen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 33:07) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 31 (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right to 10-E.Sanders for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 30:32) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt..
The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 3 (Q3 25:58) — (10:58) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 25:53) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q3 22:38) — (7:38) 40-J.Thompson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 22:34) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q3 17:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 17:39) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q4 13:34); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 13:29) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 10 (Q4 9:37); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 9:31) — 9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right to 10-E.Sanders for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 33:57) — (3:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 85-A.Gates to DEN 2 for 31 yards (29-B.Roby).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 46:53) — (1:53) 18-P.Manning pass deep middle to 10-E.Sanders to LAC 31 for 38 yards (32-E.Weddle).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 49:15) — (4:15) (Shotgun) 23-R.Hillman up the middle to LAC 47 for -1 yards (90-R.Mathews).
- Denver Broncos (Q1 51:30) — (6:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 88-D.Thomas pushed ob at DEN 47 for 16 yards (32-E.Weddle).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 17:43) — (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 30:39) — (:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right to 10-E.Sanders for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 33:57) — (3:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 85-A.Gates to DEN 2 for 31 yards (29-B.Roby).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 6:08) — (6:08) 8-B.McManus 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt.
Quarterback report card
P.Rivers led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- P.Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 48 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +11.5% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +12.17 total EPA
- P.Manning (Denver Broncos) · 38 dropbacks · 65.8% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.57 EPA/play · +21.70 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.089 | +0.225 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.0% | 54.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.254 | +0.571 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.443 | +0.052 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.225 | -0.089 |
| Defensive success rate | 46.0% | 60.0% |
By the numbers
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.23 vs +0.09), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 10 drives, +19.54 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, +6.70 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.
- P. Manning (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- P. Rivers (LAC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- P. Manning (DEN) 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.
- Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 43:41 · LAC 2 · Score 0-6
(13:41) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short right to 10-E.Sanders for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 43:35 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 33:11 · DEN 2 · Score 6-7
(3:11) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-K.Allen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 33:07 · DEN 2 · Score 7-7
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 30:39 · LAC 31 · Score 7-13
(:39) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass deep right to 10-E.Sanders for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 30:32 · LAC 2 · Score 7-14
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 25:58 · LAC 3 · Score 7-20
(10:58) (Shotgun) 18-P.Manning pass short left to 10-E.Sanders for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 25:53 · LAC 2 · Score 7-21
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 22:38 · LAC 2 · Score 7-27
(7:38) 40-J.Thompson up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 22:34 · LAC 2 · Score 7-28
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 17:43 · DEN 4 · Score 13-28
(2:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 17:39 · DEN 2 · Score 14-28
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 13:34 · LAC 1 · Score 14-34
(13:34) 40-J.Thompson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:29 · LAC 2 · Score 14-35
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-B.Colquitt. - Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 9:37 · DEN 10 · Score 20-35
(9:37) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 85-A.Gates for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN [58-V.Miller]. The Replay Official challenged the pass completion - Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 9:31 · DEN 2 · Score 21-35
9-N.Novak extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-21 in Week 8, 2014 on 2014-10-23.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 21, Denver Broncos 35 (LAC 21-35 DEN) in Week 8, 2014 on 2014-10-23.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 14; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 14; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 21, Denver Broncos 35.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass) (Q2 43:41) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 33:11) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass) (Q2 30:39) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Sanders (P. Manning pass) (Q3 25:58) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Thompson (Q3 22:38) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 17:43) Denver Broncos touchdown — J. Thompson (Q4 13:34) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 9:37) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 62.5% completion, +11.5% CPOE, +0.25 EPA per dropback, +12.17 total passing EPA. P. Manning (Denver Broncos), 65.8% completion, +4.7% CPOE, +0.57 EPA per dropback, +21.70 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
P. Manning (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +21.70 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+4.07 EPA): (2:43) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 85-A.Gates for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +12.2%.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 5-2 Now 5-3 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 5-1 Now 6-1 W
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