Chargers 17–20 Broncos: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 2, 2005

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

J. Plummer (Denver Broncos), 53.5% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -3.21 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 51.7% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -6.79 total passing EPA.

Quick answer

Winner: Denver Broncos
Final score: Denver Broncos 20–17 Los Angeles Chargers
Halftime: Los Angeles Chargers 14–3 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: A. Gates
Top passer: Jack Plummer
Biggest EPA play: (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 2…
Game date: 2005-09-18

Game summary

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20–17 on 2005-09-18, overcoming Los Angeles Chargers's 14–3 halftime lead. A. Gates posted a game-high +6.77 total EPA in the receiving.

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	14	0	3	0	17
Denver Broncos	3	0	7	10	0	20

Scoring Map

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

LACLos Angeles Chargers

DEN 16

+3DEN 24

DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DENDenver Broncos
Q1 3:03FG
JEJ. Elam
Points+3
Yard line
LAC 27
Score
0-3
(3:03) 1-J.Elam 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 12:19TD
Laken Tomlinson
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 16
Score
6-3
(12:19) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 12:13XP
NKN. Kaeding
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
7-3
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 4:59TD
Laken Tomlinson
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 4
Score
13-3
(4:59) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q2 4:55XP
NKN. Kaeding
Points+1
Yard line
DEN 2
Score
14-3
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 14:56TD
CBC. Bailey
Points+6
Yard line
DEN 77
Score
14-9
(14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q3 14:49XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
LAC 2
Score
14-10
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 8:53TD
Kisean Johnson
Points+6
Yard line
LAC 3
Score
14-16
(8:53) 39-K.Johnson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 8:46XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
LAC 2
Score
14-17
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
Q4 5:25FG
NKN. Kaeding
Points+3
Yard line
DEN 24
Score
17-17
(5:25) 10-N.Kaeding 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
DENDenver Broncos
Q4 0:09FG
JEJ. Elam
Points+3
Yard line
LAC 23
Score
17-20
(:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +6.77 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
2K. McCardell · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.46 EPA/play
3Ryan Smith · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.80 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
4A. Lelie · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +3.70 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
5Chris Adams · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
6E. Parker · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +2.42 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
7J. Putzier · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.11 EPA/play
8D. Sproles · Los Angeles Chargers · Rushing · +1.34 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.34 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

A. Gates — LAC · Receiving

A. Gates posted the highest total EPA (+6.77) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Los Angeles Chargers. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.13 EPA per play.

A. Gates's top snap (+1.55 EPA): (6:53) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates to DEN 25 for 24 yards (56-A.Wilson).

Biggest single play (-6.99 EPA): D. Brees — (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

Jack Plummer (Denver Broncos) · 43 dropbacks · 53.5% completion · -0.07 EPA/play · -3.21 total EPA
D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers) · 29 dropbacks · 51.7% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -6.79 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Los Angeles Chargers	Denver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play	-0.119	-0.094
Offensive success rate	40.3%	48.8%
Pass EPA/play	-0.234	-0.075
Rush EPA/play	-0.034	-0.146
Defensive EPA/play	+0.094	+0.119
Defensive success rate	51.2%	59.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers -0.12, Denver Broncos -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Los Angeles Chargers: -0.12 EPA/play (25th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
Denver Broncos: -0.09 EPA/play (30th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)

Denver Broncos: 12 drives, -7.86 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Los Angeles Chargers: 12 drives, -8.54 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Los Angeles Chargers — Laken Tomlinson (Q2 12:19)
Los Angeles Chargers — Laken Tomlinson (Q2 4:59)
Denver Broncos — C. Bailey (Q3 14:56)
Denver Broncos — Kisean Johnson (Q4 8:53)

Field goals

Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q1 3:03)
Los Angeles Chargers — N. Kaeding (Q4 5:25)
Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q4 0:09)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 3–0. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 27 (Q1 3:03) — (3:03) 1-J.Elam 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The second quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 14–0. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 16 (Q2 12:19) — (12:19) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 12:13) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q2 4:59) — (4:59) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q2 4:55) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..

The third quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 7–0. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the DEN 77 (Q3 14:56) — (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 14:49) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the LAC 3 (Q4 8:53) — (8:53) 39-K.Johnson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 8:46) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Los Angeles Chargers connected on a field goal from the DEN 24 (Q4 5:25) — (5:25) 10-N.Kaeding 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the LAC 23 (Q4 0:09) — (:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 14:56) — (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -23.6% · EPA -6.99]
Denver Broncos (Q3 9:31) — (9:31) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Jue (78-D.Scott) at LAC 9. 27-B.Jue to LAC 17 for 8 yards (66-T.Nalen). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.39]
Denver Broncos (Q1 8:14) — (8:14) 38-M.Anderson left guard to LAC 2 for 3 yards (58-R.Godfrey). FUMBLES (58-R.Godfrey), RECOVERED by LAC-76-J.Williams at LAC 2. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -3.45]
Denver Broncos (Q4 0:09) — (:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun. [WPA +11.9% · EPA +0.76]
Denver Broncos (Q4 0:57) — (:57) 33-R.Dayne left end to LAC 23 for 10 yards (53-S.Foley). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +0.96]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 14:56) — (14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -23.6% · EPA -6.99]
Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 10:43) — (10:43) (Shotgun) 9-D.Brees sacked at LAC 35 for -7 yards (52-I.Gold). FUMBLES (52-I.Gold), RECOVERED by DEN-98-C.Brown at LAC 35. 98-C.Brown to LAC 35 for no gain (72-R.Oben). [WPA -11.4% · EPA -3.54]
Denver Broncos (Q1 8:14) — (8:14) 38-M.Anderson left guard to LAC 2 for 3 yards (58-R.Godfrey). FUMBLES (58-R.Godfrey), RECOVERED by LAC-76-J.Williams at LAC 2. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -3.45]
Denver Broncos (Q3 9:31) — (9:31) 16-J.Plummer pass INTERCEPTED by 27-B.Jue (78-D.Scott) at LAC 9. 27-B.Jue to LAC 17 for 8 yards (66-T.Nalen). [WPA -14.5% · EPA -3.39]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 3:03 · LAC 27 · Score 0-3
(3:03) 1-J.Elam 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 12:19 · DEN 16 · Score 6-3
(12:19) 21-L.Tomlinson right end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 12:13 · DEN 2 · Score 7-3
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q2 4:59 · DEN 4 · Score 13-3
(4:59) 21-L.Tomlinson up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q2 4:55 · DEN 2 · Score 14-3
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 14:56 · DEN 77 · Score 14-9
(14:56) 9-D.Brees pass intended for 87-K.McCardell INTERCEPTED by 24-C.Bailey at LAC 25. 24-C.Bailey for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 14:49 · LAC 2 · Score 14-10
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 8:53 · LAC 3 · Score 14-16
(8:53) 39-K.Johnson up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 8:46 · LAC 2 · Score 14-17
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
Los Angeles Chargers FG (+3) — Q4 5:25 · DEN 24 · Score 17-17
(5:25) 10-N.Kaeding 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:09 · LAC 23 · Score 17-20
(:09) 1-J.Elam 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.

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.
A. Gates (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 2005-09-18?

The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 in Week 2, 2005.

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 14, Denver Broncos 0; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Denver Broncos 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 3, Denver Broncos 10; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 17, Denver Broncos 20.

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

Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 12:19) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — L. Tomlinson (Q2 4:59) Denver Broncos touchdown — C. Bailey (Q3 14:56) Denver Broncos touchdown — K. Johnson (Q4 8:53) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q1 3:03, 3 pts) Los Angeles Chargers field goal — N. Kaeding (Q4 5:25, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — J. Elam (Q4 0:09, 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?

Jack Plummer (Denver Broncos), 53.5% completion, -0.07 EPA per dropback, -3.21 total passing EPA. D. Brees (Los Angeles Chargers), 51.7% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -6.79 total passing EPA.

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

A. Gates (Los Angeles Chargers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.77 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+1.55 EPA): (6:53) 9-D.Brees pass to 85-A.Gates to DEN 25 for 24 yards (56-A.Wilson)..

Was Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Denver Broncos won 20-17 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Los Angeles Chargers

Entered 0-1 Now 0-2 L

Denver Broncos

Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: 2005 Week 2 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Chargers

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

Quick answer

Game summary