Cameron Decker delivered in the clutch, drilling a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Los Angeles Chargers to a 23-20 victory over the Denver Broncos before a SoFi Stadium crowd of 70,740. It was Decker’s second field goal of the day and sealed the team’s first 3-0 start since 2002—all three wins coming against AFC West opponents.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Cameron Decker delivered in the clutch, drilling a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Los Angeles Chargers to a 23-20 victory over the Denver Broncos before a SoFi Stadium crowd of 70,740. It was Decker’s second field goal of the day and sealed the team’s first 3-0 start since 2002—all three wins coming against AFC West opponents.
The Chargers tied the game late when Justin Herbert found Keenan Allen for a 20-yard touchdown with 2:44 remaining. Allen fought off Riley Morris in the end zone to secure the score. The drive featured a critical 11-yard completion on third-and-10 and a costly unnecessary roughness penalty on Denver’s Talanoa Hufanga that pushed Los Angeles to midfield. Herbert then connected with rookie Omarion Hampton for a 23-yard gain before going back to Allen for the equalizer.
“We’ve got a bunch of playmakers out there and just enough time to get the ball off,” Herbert said. “Never a doubt. Guys had complete faith in each other the entire time.”
Allen described his touchdown: “By the time I turned around and saw him, he was already running. I spun to the back pylon, he just threw it up, gave me a chance one-on-one, and I was able to come down with it.”
Herbert finished 28 of 47 for 300 yards with one touchdown and one interception. At 27 years and 195 days old, he became the youngest NFL player to reach 2,000 career completions, surpassing Drew Bledsoe. He achieved the milestone in just 82 games, the second-fastest in league history.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised the effort: “I don’t think I have the vocabulary to express how great I feel. It’s a signature win. It’s one that reveals your character. Our guys gave all-out hustle from the first snap to the end.”
Denver (1-2) struggled with discipline, committing 10 penalties for 90 yards, and managed only nine first downs while going 2-of-13 on third down. Still, the Broncos briefly surged, scoring three times in a span of 3 minutes, 40 seconds across halftime to build a 17-10 lead. J.K. Dobbins’ 19-yard run down the sideline gave them their first advantage early in the third quarter.
Allen (the “old school”) and Hampton (the “new school”) led the Chargers’ receiving corps. Allen caught six passes for 58 yards and the tying touchdown, while Hampton added six receptions for 59 yards and rushed for 70 yards on 19 carries.
“Man, what a game he had,” Harbaugh said of Hampton. “He put the work in today—running with purpose, always lunging forward, surging forward.”
Injuries clouded the victory. Running back Najee Harris left with a non-contact Achilles injury in the second quarter and did not return. Harbaugh said he is undergoing further evaluation. Guard Mekhi Becton also exited in the second quarter and entered concussion protocol.
Next up: The Chargers visit the New York Giants next Sunday, while the Broncos host Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 29.