Game story
In Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season on 2023-12-31, the Denver Broncos took care of business against the Los Angeles Chargers, pulling away with a 16–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
E. Stick (Los Angeles Chargers) paced the passing game, with +1.25 total EPA, and -3.3% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Stidham (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+16.7% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Denver Broncos changed the game: (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Denver Broncos | 3 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Stidham · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.99 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 2 L. Humphrey · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +6.67 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.67 EPA/play
- 3 A. Erickson · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.39 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 4 Q. Johnston · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +1.60 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 5 J. McLaughlin · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.45 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 6 B. Johnson · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.41 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 7 J. McLaughlin · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.37 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
- 8 E. Stick · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.36 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Stidham — DEN · Passing
J. Stidham posted the highest total EPA (+6.99) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Denver Broncos's efficiency. Across 38 counted snaps, they averaged +0.18 EPA per play.
The signature play (+6.04 EPA) came from Denver Broncos: (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 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 — L. Humphrey (J. Stidham pass)
Field goals
- Denver Broncos — W. Lutz
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker
- Denver Broncos — W. Lutz
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker
- Denver Broncos — W. Lutz
- Denver Broncos — W. Lutz
- Los Angeles Chargers — C. Dicker
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 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 13 (Q1 48:58) — (3:58) 16-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon..
The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–3. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 18 (Q2 39:46) — (9:46) 11-C.Dicker 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 54 (Q2 36:52) — (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 15 (Q2 36:37) — 16-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 25 (Q2 31:57) — (1:57) 16-W.Lutz 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 3–0. Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 32 (Q3 21:24) — (6:24) 11-C.Dicker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott..
The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 6–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 2 (Q4 11:22) — (11:22) 16-W.Lutz 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the DEN 35 (Q4 11:19) — 16-W.Lutz kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q4 1:21) — (1:21) 11-C.Dicker 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 36:52) — (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 30-A.Ekeler up the middle to LAC 40 for 2 yards (93-D.Jones, 47-J.Jewell). FUMBLES (93-D.Jones), RECOVERED by DEN-47-J.Jewell at LAC 38. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was n
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 41:13) — (11:13) (Shotgun) 2-E.Stick pass short left to 82-A.Erickson to DEN 20 for 27 yards (31-J.Simmons).
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q2 32:55) — (2:55) (Punt formation) Direct snap to 31-N.Niemann. 31-N.Niemann FUMBLES (Aborted) at LAC 40, and recovers at LAC 42. 31-N.Niemann to LAC 42 for no gain (41-D.Sanders).
- Denver Broncos (Q4 12:52) — (12:52) 75-Q.Bailey reported in as eligible. 4-J.Stidham pass incomplete deep right to 10-J.Jeudy (32-A.Gilman). PENALTY on LAC-32-A.Gilman, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at LAC 29 -
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Denver Broncos (Q2 36:52) — (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 30-A.Ekeler up the middle to LAC 40 for 2 yards (93-D.Jones, 47-J.Jewell). FUMBLES (93-D.Jones), RECOVERED by DEN-47-J.Jewell at LAC 38. The Replay Official reviewed the runner was n
- Denver Broncos (Q4 12:52) — (12:52) 75-Q.Bailey reported in as eligible. 4-J.Stidham pass incomplete deep right to 10-J.Jeudy (32-A.Gilman). PENALTY on LAC-32-A.Gilman, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at LAC 29 -
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 6:23) — (6:23) 11-C.Dicker 50 yard field goal is BLOCKED (99-Z.Allen), Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Quarterback report card
E.Stick led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- E.Stick (Los Angeles Chargers) · 40 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · -3.3% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.25 total EPA
- J.Stidham (Denver Broncos) · 38 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · -1.9% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +6.99 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.127 | -0.034 |
| Offensive success rate | 38.3% | 41.4% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.031 | +0.184 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.426 | -0.241 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.034 | +0.127 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.6% | 61.7% |
By the numbers
Denver Broncos held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.13), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -2.94 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, -10.29 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- J. Stidham (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- E. Stick (LAC) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 48:58 · LAC 13 · Score 0-3
(3:58) 16-W.Lutz 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q2 39:46 · DEN 18 · Score 3-3
(9:46) 11-C.Dicker 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott. - Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 36:52 · LAC 54 · Score 3-9
(6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 36:37 · LAC 15 · Score 3-10
16-W.Lutz extra point is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 31:57 · LAC 25 · Score 3-13
(1:57) 16-W.Lutz 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q3 21:24 · DEN 32 · Score 6-13
(6:24) 11-C.Dicker 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 11:22 · LAC 2 · Score 6-16
(11:22) 16-W.Lutz 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-M.Fraboni, Holder-9-R.Dixon. - Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 11:19 · DEN 35 · Score 6-16
16-W.Lutz kicks 65 yards from DEN 35 to end zone, Touchback. - Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 1:21 · DEN 34 · Score 9-16
(1:21) 11-C.Dicker 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-16-J.Scott.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-9 in Week 17, 2023 on 2023-12-31.
What was the final score of Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 9, Denver Broncos 16 (LAC 9-16 DEN) in Week 17, 2023 on 2023-12-31.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 3; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 10; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 6; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 9, Denver Broncos 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
Denver Broncos touchdown — L. Humphrey (J. Stidham pass) (Q2 36:52) Denver Broncos field goal — W. Lutz (Q1 48:58, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — C. Dicker (Q2 39:46, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — W. Lutz (Q2 31:57, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — C. Dicker (Q3 21:24, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 11:22, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — W. Lutz (Q4 11:19, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — C. Dicker (Q4 1:21, 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?
E. Stick (Los Angeles Chargers), 60.0% completion, -3.3% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.25 total passing EPA. J. Stidham (Denver Broncos), 52.6% completion, -1.9% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +6.99 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos?
J. Stidham (Denver Broncos) led the game in total EPA with +6.99 on passing plays. across 38 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+6.04 EPA): (6:52) (Shotgun) 4-J.Stidham pass short right to 17-L.Humphrey for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +16.7%.
Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Denver Broncos won 16-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L
Denver Broncos
Entered 7-8 Now 8-8 W
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