Chargers 21–24 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 1, 2017

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

T. Siemian (Denver Broncos), 45.9% completion, +0.5% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +6.87 total passing EPA. P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 61.1% completion, +1.8% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +7.87 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

P. Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.87 total EPA on Passing plays. across 36 snaps. Their top snap (+4.07 EPA): (1:51) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete deep middle to 13-K.Allen (29-B.Roby). PENALTY on DEN-29-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at LAC 39 - No Play..

Quick answer

Winner: Denver Broncos
Final score: Denver Broncos 24–21 Los Angeles Chargers
Halftime: Los Angeles Chargers 7–14 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Philip Rivers
Top passer: Trevor Siemian
Biggest EPA play: (7:22) 28-J.Charles right end to DEN 46 for 4 yards (56-K.Toomer). FUMBLES (56-K.Toomer), …
Game date: 2017-09-11

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24–21 on 2017-09-11. Philip Rivers posted a game-high +7.87 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Los Angeles Chargers	0	7	0	14	0	21
Denver Broncos	7	7	10	0	0	24

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

LACLos Angeles Chargers

DEN 5

DEN 38

DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DENDenver Broncos
Q1 4:58TD
BFB. Fowler
Points+6
Yard line
LAC 5
Score
0-6
(4:58) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 16-B.Fowler for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LAC-99-J.Bosa, Defensive Offside, declined.
DENDenver Broncos
Q1 4:50XP
Brandon McManus
Points+1
Yard line
LAC 15
Score
0-7
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 15:00TD
Melvin Gordon
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 11
Score
6-7
(15:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 28-M.Gordon for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 14:55XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 15
Score
7-7
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 5:33TD
Trevor Siemian
Points+6
Yard line
LAC 1
Score
7-13
(5:33) 13-T.Siemian scrambles right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q2 5:27XP
Brandon McManus
Points+1
Yard line
LAC 15
Score
7-14
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 10:31TD
BFB. Fowler
Points+6
Yard line
LAC 6
Score
7-20
(10:31) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short left to 16-B.Fowler for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 10:27XP
Brandon McManus
Points+1
Yard line
LAC 15
Score
7-21
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 0:03FG
Brandon McManus
Points+3
Yard line
LAC 2
Score
7-24
(:03) 8-B.McManus 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q4 8:15TD
Kyle Allen
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 5
Score
13-24
(8:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LAC-13-K.Allen, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q4 8:10XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 15
Score
14-24
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q4 7:07TD
TBT. Benjamin
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 38
Score
20-24
(7:07) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 12-T.Benjamin for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q4 7:00XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 15
Score
21-24
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Philip Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +7.87 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
2Trevor Siemian · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.87 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
3A. Derby · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
4V. Green · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.50 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.50 EPA/play
5Melvin Gordon · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
6B. Fowler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
7T. Benjamin · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
8Drake Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Philip Rivers — LAC · Passing

Philip Rivers posted the highest total EPA (+7.87) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Los Angeles Chargers. Across 36 counted snaps, they averaged +0.22 EPA per play.

Philip Rivers's top snap (+4.07 EPA): (1:51) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete deep middle to 13-K.Allen (29-B.Roby). PENALTY on DEN-29-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at LAC 39 - No Play.

Biggest single play (-5.16 EPA): J. Charles — (7:22) 28-J.Charles right end to DEN 46 for 4 yards (56-K.Toomer). FUMBLES (56-K.Toomer), RECOVERED by LAC-26-C.Hayward at DEN 49. 26-C.Hayward ran ob at DEN 38 for 11 yards (75-M.Watson). The Replay

Quarterback report card

Trevor Siemian led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Trevor Siemian (Denver Broncos) · 37 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +6.87 total EPA
Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 36 dropbacks · 61.1% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +7.87 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Los Angeles Chargers	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	-0.053	-0.032
Offensive success rate	40.0%	43.2%
Pass EPA/play	+0.219	+0.186
Rush EPA/play	-0.296	-0.247
Defensive EPA/play	+0.032	+0.053
Defensive success rate	56.8%	60.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers -0.05, Denver Broncos -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Los Angeles Chargers: -0.05 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)
Denver Broncos: -0.03 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2017 team-game averages)

Denver Broncos: 12 drives, -2.61 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Los Angeles Chargers: 11 drives, -3.97 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Denver Broncos — B. Fowler (Trevor Siemian pass) (Q1 4:58)
Los Angeles Chargers — Melvin Gordon (Philip Rivers pass) (Q2 15:00)
Denver Broncos — Trevor Siemian (Q2 5:33)
Denver Broncos — B. Fowler (Trevor Siemian pass) (Q3 10:31)
Los Angeles Chargers — Kyle Allen (Philip Rivers pass) (Q4 8:15)
Los Angeles Chargers — T. Benjamin (Philip Rivers pass) (Q4 7:07)

Field goals

Denver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q3 0:03)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 5 (Q1 4:58); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 4:50) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 11 (Q2 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 28-M.Gordon for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 14:55) — 9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q2 5:33) — (5:33) 13-T.Siemian scrambles right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 5:27) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 6 (Q3 10:31) — (10:31) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short left to 16-B.Fowler for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 10:27) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 2 (Q3 0:03) — (:03) 8-B.McManus 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 5 (Q4 8:15); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 8:10) — 9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 38 (Q4 7:07) — (7:07) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 12-T.Benjamin for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 7:00) — 9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:05) — (:05) 9-Y.Koo 44 yard field goal is BLOCKED (96-S.Harris), Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser. [WPA -22.7% · EPA -2.35]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 28-M.Gordon up the middle to LAC 47 for no gain (34-W.Parks). [WPA -13.6% · EPA -1.36]
Denver Broncos (Q4 4:12) — (4:12) 8-B.McManus 50 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon. [WPA -11.5% · EPA -3.01]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete short left to 13-K.Allen. [WPA -11.5% · EPA +0.14]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short left to 13-K.Allen pushed ob at DEN 26 for 8 yards (29-B.Roby). [WPA +11.3% · EPA +0.34]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Denver Broncos (Q4 7:22) — (7:22) 28-J.Charles right end to DEN 46 for 4 yards (56-K.Toomer). FUMBLES (56-K.Toomer), RECOVERED by LAC-26-C.Hayward at DEN 49. 26-C.Hayward ran ob at DEN 38 for 11 yards (75-M.Watson). The Replay [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.16]
Denver Broncos (Q4 10:44) — (10:44) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short left intended for 16-B.Fowler INTERCEPTED by 31-A.Phillips (20-D.King) at DEN 47. 31-A.Phillips to DEN 43 for 4 yards (83-A.Derby). The Replay Official review [WPA -1.8% · EPA -4.37]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete deep middle to 13-K.Allen (29-B.Roby). PENALTY on DEN-29-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at LAC 39 - No Play. [WPA +9.0% · EPA +4.07]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 7:07) — (7:07) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 12-T.Benjamin for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.9% · EPA +3.69]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 4:58 · LAC 5 · Score 0-6
(4:58) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short right to 16-B.Fowler for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on LAC-99-J.Bosa, Defensive Offside, declined.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 4:50 · LAC 15 · Score 0-7
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 15:00 · DEN 11 · Score 6-7
(15:00) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 28-M.Gordon for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-D.Wolfe].
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 14:55 · DEN 15 · Score 7-7
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 5:33 · LAC 1 · Score 7-13
(5:33) 13-T.Siemian scrambles right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 5:27 · LAC 15 · Score 7-14
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 10:31 · LAC 6 · Score 7-20
(10:31) (Shotgun) 13-T.Siemian pass short left to 16-B.Fowler for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 10:27 · LAC 15 · Score 7-21
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 0:03 · LAC 2 · Score 7-24
(:03) 8-B.McManus 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 8:15 · DEN 5 · Score 13-24
(8:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on LAC-13-K.Allen, Taunting, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 8:10 · DEN 15 · Score 14-24
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 7:07 · DEN 38 · Score 20-24
(7:07) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 12-T.Benjamin for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 7:00 · DEN 15 · Score 21-24
9-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-M.Windt, Holder-8-D.Kaser.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Denver Broncos earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos on 2017-09-11?

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-21 in Week 1, 2017.

What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 10; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 14, Denver Broncos 0; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 21, Denver Broncos 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

Denver Broncos touchdown — B. Fowler (T. Siemian pass) (Q1 4:58) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — M. Gordon (P. Rivers pass) (Q2 15:00) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Siemian (Q2 5:33) Denver Broncos touchdown — B. Fowler (T. Siemian pass) (Q3 10:31) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 8:15) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — T. Benjamin (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 7:07) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q3 0:03, 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?

Trevor Siemian (Denver Broncos), 45.9% completion, +0.5% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +6.87 total passing EPA. Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 61.1% completion, +1.8% CPOE, +0.22 EPA per dropback, +7.87 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.87 total EPA on Passing plays. across 36 snaps. Their top snap (+4.07 EPA): (1:51) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass incomplete deep middle to 13-K.Allen (29-B.Roby). PENALTY on DEN-29-B.Roby, Defensive Pass Interference, 40 yards, enforced at LAC 39 - No Play..

Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 24-21 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Chargers

Now 0-1 L

Denver Broncos

Now 1-0 W

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: 2017 Week 1 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Chargers

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Quick answer

Game summary