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

J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.30 total EPA on Passing plays. across 38 snaps. Their top snap (+3.33 EPA): (14:21) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass deep right to 13-K.Allen to DEN 43 for 30 yards (21-K.Williams)..

Chargers 28–31 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 18, 2022

Game story

The Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31–28 in Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season on 2023-01-08, a matchup that came down to the wire. The decisive swing (-14.1% win probability) came in the second quarter when Los Angeles Chargers swung the momentum.

In Week 18 of the 2022 NFL season on 2023-01-08, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 31–28 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +10.30 total EPA, and -2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.30 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Los Angeles Chargers changed the game: (6:20) 30-A.Ekeler right guard to DEN 48 for no gain (31-J.Simmons). FUMBLES (31-J.Simmons), RECOVERED by DEN-47-J.Jewell at DEN 46. 47-J.Jewell to LAC 49 for 5 yards (30-A.Ekeler).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Los Angeles Chargers	7	10	3	8	0	28
Denver Broncos	7	10	7	7	0	31

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1 J. Herbert · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +10.30 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
2 K. Allen · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +8.89 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
3 J. Jeudy · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +8.00 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
4 A. Ekeler · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
5 R. Wilson · Denver Broncos · Passing · +5.29 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
6 L. Murray · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +4.04 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
7 F. Swain · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
8 J. Palmer · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.41 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 (+10.30) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Chargers's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.

The signature play (-5.57 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-A.Beck INTERCEPTED by 69-S.Joseph (8-K.Van Noy) at 50. 69-S.Joseph to DEN 46 for 4 yards (77-Q.Meinerz).

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q1 56:22)
Denver Broncos — L. Murray (Q1 48:58)
Los Angeles Chargers — G. Everett (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 41:01)
Denver Broncos — E. Tomlinson (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 30:10)
Denver Broncos — T. Badie (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 26:51)
Denver Broncos — C. Sutton (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 11:21)
Los Angeles Chargers — K. Allen (C. Daniel pass) (Q4 6:06)

Field goals

Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q2 32:46)
Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker (Q2 30:31)
Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker (Q3 21:46)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 14 (Q1 56:22) — (11:22) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 56:17) — 15-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q1 48:58) — (3:58) 28-L.Murray right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q1 48:55) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 10–10. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q2 41:01) — (11:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 7-G.Everett for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 40:57) — 15-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 15 (Q2 32:46) — (2:46) 8-B.McManus 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 30 (Q2 30:31) — (:31) 15-C.Dicker 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 3 (Q2 30:10) — (:10) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 87-E.Tomlinson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 30:06) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 24 (Q3 26:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 36-T.Badie for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q3 26:42) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 18 (Q3 21:46) — (6:46) 15-C.Dicker 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott..

The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 8–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 20 (Q4 11:21) — (11:21) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 14-C.Sutton for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q4 11:15) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q4 6:06) — (6:06) (Shotgun) 4-C.Daniel pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers registered a safety from the DEN 2 (Q4 6:02) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-C.Daniel pass to 5-J.Palmer is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 36:20) — (6:20) 30-A.Ekeler right guard to DEN 48 for no gain (31-J.Simmons). FUMBLES (31-J.Simmons), RECOVERED by DEN-47-J.Jewell at DEN 46. 47-J.Jewell to LAC 49 for 5 yards (30-A.Ekeler). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -5.44]
Denver Broncos (Q2 30:19) — (:19) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 10-J.Jeudy pushed ob at LAC 3 for 57 yards (32-A.Gilman). Penalty on LAC-32-A.Gilman, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +3.64]
Denver Broncos (Q4 12:51) — (12:51) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 86-F.Swain to LAC 24 for 52 yards (24-N.Adderley). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.77]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q1 45:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 81-M.Williams to DEN 36 for 18 yards (31-J.Simmons). [WPA +12.3% · EPA +2.79]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 15:32) — (:32) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 1-D.Carter to DEN 15 for 25 yards (31-J.Simmons). FUMBLES (31-J.Simmons), RECOVERED by DEN-22-K.Jackson at DEN 9. 22-K.Jackson to DEN 11 for 2 yards (3 [WPA -10.8% · EPA -2.90]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

Denver Broncos (Q3 23:57) — (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-A.Beck INTERCEPTED by 69-S.Joseph (8-K.Van Noy) at 50. 69-S.Joseph to DEN 46 for 4 yards (77-Q.Meinerz). [WPA -9.5% · EPA -5.57]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 36:20) — (6:20) 30-A.Ekeler right guard to DEN 48 for no gain (31-J.Simmons). FUMBLES (31-J.Simmons), RECOVERED by DEN-47-J.Jewell at DEN 46. 47-J.Jewell to LAC 49 for 5 yards (30-A.Ekeler). [WPA -14.1% · EPA -5.44]
Denver Broncos (Q4 12:51) — (12:51) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 86-F.Swain to LAC 24 for 52 yards (24-N.Adderley). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.77]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 9:15) — (9:15) 16-J.Scott punts 45 yards to DEN 23, Center-47-J.Harris. 89-B.Johnson MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by LAC-32-A.Gilman at DEN 29. [WPA +6.4% · EPA +4.67]

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) · 38 dropbacks · 65.8% completion · -2.0% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +10.30 total EPA
R.Wilson (Denver Broncos) · 32 dropbacks · 40.6% completion · +1.1% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +5.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

Stat	Los Angeles Chargers	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	+0.120	+0.133
Offensive success rate	44.2%	45.1%
Pass EPA/play	+0.252	+0.165
Rush EPA/play	-0.416	+0.189
Defensive EPA/play	-0.133	-0.120
Defensive success rate	54.9%	55.8%

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers +0.12, Denver Broncos +0.13) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Denver Broncos: 12 drives, +10.93 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Los Angeles Chargers: 13 drives, +10.33 total EPA, 5 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.
One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
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 56:22 · DEN 14 · Score 6-0
(11:22) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q1 56:17 · DEN 15 · Score 7-0
15-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q1 48:58 · LAC 2 · Score 7-6
(3:58) 28-L.Murray right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q1 48:55 · LAC 15 · Score 7-7
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 41:01 · DEN 3 · Score 13-7
(11:01) (Shotgun) 10-J.Herbert pass short middle to 7-G.Everett for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 40:57 · DEN 15 · Score 14-7
15-C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 32:46 · LAC 15 · Score 14-10
(2:46) 8-B.McManus 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 30:31 · DEN 30 · Score 17-10
(:31) 15-C.Dicker 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 30:10 · LAC 3 · Score 17-16
(:10) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 87-E.Tomlinson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 30:06 · LAC 15 · Score 17-17
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 26:51 · LAC 24 · Score 17-23
(11:51) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 36-T.Badie for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 26:42 · LAC 15 · Score 17-24
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 21:46 · DEN 18 · Score 20-24
(6:46) 15-C.Dicker 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 11:21 · LAC 20 · Score 20-30
(11:21) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep right to 14-C.Sutton for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 11:15 · LAC 15 · Score 20-31
8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-17-C.Waitman.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 6:06 · DEN 3 · Score 26-31
(6:06) (Shotgun) 4-C.Daniel pass short right to 13-K.Allen for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers Safety (+2) — Q4 6:02 · DEN 2 · Score 28-31
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 4-C.Daniel pass to 5-J.Palmer is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-28 in Week 18, 2022 on 2023-01-08.

What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 28, Denver Broncos 31 (LAC 28-31 DEN) in Week 18, 2022 on 2023-01-08.

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

Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Denver Broncos 7; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 10, Denver Broncos 10; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 8, Denver Broncos 7; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 28, Denver Broncos 31.

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

Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (J. Herbert pass) (Q1 56:22) Denver Broncos touchdown — L. Murray (Q1 48:58) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — G. Everett (J. Herbert pass) (Q2 41:01) Denver Broncos touchdown — E. Tomlinson (R. Wilson pass) (Q2 30:10) Denver Broncos touchdown — T. Badie (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 26:51) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Sutton (R. Wilson pass) (Q4 11:21) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — K. Allen (C. Daniel pass) (Q4 6:06) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 32:46, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — C. Dicker (Q2 30:31, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — C. Dicker (Q3 21:46, 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. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), 65.8% completion, -2.0% CPOE, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +10.30 total passing EPA. R. Wilson (Denver Broncos), 40.6% completion, +1.1% CPOE, +0.17 EPA per dropback, +5.29 total passing EPA.

Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?

J. Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) led the game in total EPA with +10.30 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.57 EPA): (8:57) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right intended for 83-A.Beck INTERCEPTED by 69-S.Joseph (8-K.Van Noy) at 50. 69-S.Joseph to DEN 46 for 4 yards (77-Q.Meinerz).. The biggest win-probability swing was -14.1%.

Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 31-28 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Chargers

Entered 10-6 Now 10-7 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 4-12 Now 5-12 W

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: 2022 Week 18 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Chargers

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Game story

Line score

Stars of the game

Player of the game