The Broncos head to California to see if they can shake off last week’s loss to the Texans. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

Live updates

FINAL | Broncos 24, Chargers 7

Ja’Quan McMillian still couldn’t believe his misfortune after the game. He thought he had a touchdown. No, not thought. “I know I did,” he said with a smile.

The grin, of course, came easily despite the fact that he’ll never watch tape of this game and believe Easton Stick’s hand was moving forward when McMillian rocked him, jarred the ball loose, picked it up on his own and ran it into the end zone. The grin came easily because the Broncos’ bottle rocket of a nickelback is writing himself a starring role in this defense’s Hollywood turnaround story.

A 24-7 win here against the Los Angeles Chargers marked the Broncos’ first divisional road triumph in 1,526 days but also the team’s sixth victory in their past seven games. It came on the strength of a defense embodied by its short-in-stature-only nickel, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

More Broncos coverage:

PHOTOS: Denver Broncos trample Los Angeles Chargers 24-7 in NFL Week 14.
Kiszla: It’s a horse race! The hot breath of the Broncos now on the neck of Patrick Mahomes in AFC West.
Russell Wilson on Broncos WR Courtland Sutton: “He can catch everything.”
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy focused on team’s roll after frustrating outing: “I’m always confident.”
Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz taken to hospital out of precaution after elevated heart rate, source says.
Broncos report card: Dominant outing for Vance Joseph’s defense gives Denver offense time to get rolling in win vs. Chargers.
Heroes and Zeros from Broncos’ 24-7 win over Chargers: Ja’Quan McMillian just keeps making plays.
Broncos four downs: Russell Wilson sticks fork in Brandon Staley, Chargers. Raiders stick fork in themselves. Playoffs? Heck, yeah, we’re talking playoffs.

Fourth-quarter updates

Stop! They’re already dead. (5:24 p.m.): P.J. Locke just strip sacked Easton Stick. Josey Jewell recovered. Denver ball. But they’re taking kneels now. — Joe Nguyen

Ballgame (5:13 p.m.): Denver just faked out Los Angeles on that play. Russell Wilson fakes a hand off to Javonte Williams and then finds a wide-open Adam Trautman for a 10-yard touchdown. Broncos 24, Chargers 7 with 3:11 to go. — Joe Nguyen 

Tremendous drive from the Broncos.

4 for 4 on third down, punctuated by the easiest TD pass Russell Wilson will have all season to Adam Trautman. — Matt Schubert

Taking it home (5:13 p.m.): The Broncos are now 3 for 3 on this putaway drive. Impressive stuff from Russell Wilson on third down. — Matt Schubert

Run, Russ, run (5:09 p.m.): Another third-down conversion from Wilson, this time with his legs. The clock is running and the Broncos lead 17-7 with less than six minutes left. This thing is done. — Matt Schubert

Big third-down conversion (5:07 p.m.): Critical third-and-long conversion from Russell Wilson to Adam Trautman, who shed a tackler to give the Broncos a first down in Chargers territory. At this point, why throw the ball again? — Matt Schubert

Javonte with a statement (5:04 p.m.): The Chargers have built up momentum, but Denver answered with a 20-yard gain up the gut by Javonte Williams on the first play of the drive. — Joe Nguyen

Chargers with life (5 p.m.): Huge gain by the Chargers after Easton Stick connected Quentin Johnston for a 57-yard gain. The drive was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by Colorado’s own Austin Ekeler. Broncos 17, Chargers 7 with 10:37 to go in the game. — Joe Nguyen

The Broncos will NOT get a shutout today. Yes, the Chargers just scored quickly. But they also have just one timeout left and does anyone really believe they can do that again? — Matt Schubert

Meinerz hospitalized (4:57 p.m.): Broncos right guard Quinn Meinerz exited Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers because of concern about chest tightness and an elevated heart rate, a source told The Denver Post on Sunday. Read the full story. — Parker Gabriel

Injury update (4:55 p.m.): Locke and McMillian are back on the field. — Ryan McFadden

Defensive collision (4:50 p.m.): Broncos safety PJ Locke and cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian went down after colliding into each other on that fourth down play. Both players were able to walk off the field. — Ryan McFadden

Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 17, Chargers 0

Matt Schubert, sports editor: If ever there was a fourth quarter that didn’t need to be played, it’s this one. We all know how this is going to play out. A 17-0 lead on this Chargers team feels like 34-0. As great as the Broncos defense has been, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has been just as awful. Sure feels like this might be the last time we see him on the L.A. sideline.

Third-quarter updates

Sutton’s magical hands (4:40 p.m.): He wasn’t in on the play, but Courtland Sutton catches everything. Russell Wilson threw it away, but Sutton — with a hand on his hip on the sidelines — effortless caught the pass one handed.

By the way, his last touchdown was his 10th on the season. It’s the 22nd time a Broncos player has caught at least 10 touchdowns in a season and first since 2014 when Thomases Julius and Demaryius each had at least 10. — Joe Nguyen

Struggling offense (4:35 p.m.): If you think the Chargers are bad, take a look at the Vikings-Raiders score in Las Vegas. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Broncos (4:24 p.m.): Russell Wilson had all day in the pocket to make that throw. He connected with, who else, Courtland Sutton on a 46-yard touchdown pass. Add another one for Sutton’s highlight reel. Broncos 17, Chargers 0 with 5:55 to go. — Joe Nguyen

Courtland Sutton is insane. — Ryan McFadden

Courtland Sutton … all he does is catch touchdowns. — Matt Schubert

Standing tall (4:19 p.m.): The Chargers, on fourth-and-inches, could not convert. Denver’s defense stopped the run play. The Broncos will get the ball on their own 40-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Brandon Staley keeps rolling the dice on fourth down, and the Broncos defense keeps making him look like a fool for doing it. The L.A. postgame presser is gonna be … interesting.

The best thing the Broncos defense can do is present Brandon Staley with a fourth-and-short situation. — Matt Schubert

The Broncos defense is making this as easy as possible for their offense and making the decision for Dean Spanos as easy as possible as it relates to Brandon Staley’s job performance. — Parker Gabriel

Quinn Meinerz injury (4:14 p.m.): Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz (illness) is also out the rest of the game, per the team. — Parker Gabriel

Bonitto update (4:12 p.m.): OLB Nik Bonitto (knee) has been downgraded to OUT, per the team. — Parker Gabriel

Defensive reliance (4:11 p.m.): With the way the Broncos D is playing, punting is winning for the rest of the afternoon. Just don’t turn the ball over and get out of L.A. with a W. — Matt Schubert

Third-quarter issues (4:06 p.m.): If the Broncos don’t go three-and-out here, is it considered an early Christmas miracle? — Parker Gabriel

Justin Herbert update (4:05 p.m.): Justin Herbert has been ruled OUT for the rest of the game.

Time for some really, really, really conservative play-calling from the Broncos. — Matt Schubert

Halftime analysis — Broncos 10, Chargers 0

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos’ defense is doing whatever they want to the Chargers. After Wilson struggled to get the ball to Jeudy last week, he has targeted the wideout quite a bit in the first half. However, Jeudy has failed to deliver.

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Jerry Jeudy’s had better days. The Chargers might be bad enough that it doesn’t matter, but still, not great for Denver’s fourth-year wide receiver.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: If Jerry Jeudy is going to produce the same sort of closing kick he had to finish last season, he needs to have one heck of a second half. The Broncos lead 10-0 but drops and missed opportunities have kept the Chargers in this game.

Second-quarter updates

Field goal, Broncos (3:50 p.m.): Denver settles for a 23-yard field goal. Broncos 10, Chargers 0 with five seconds left in the half. — Joe Nguyen

Now, instead of 14-0 at the half, the Broncos take a 10-0 lead into the break. The good news (kinda)? They get the ball to start the second half. — Matt Schubert

No touchdown, Broncos (3:48 p.m.): Uh oh. Looks like that Jerry Jeudy TD catch is coming back.

What a dreadful first half for Jerry Jeudy. He HAS to know where he’s at on the field and get that second foot down. That’s a routine catch for an NFL wide receiver. — Matt Schubert

Krull gains (3:46 p.m.): Russell Wilson connects with tight end Lucas Krull for a 35-yard gain. It was Krull’s first NFL reception. — Joe Nguyen

It’s Perine time (3:43 p.m.): Is there such a thing as a closer in football? The Broncos open their drive with three straight plays to Samaje Perine. — Joe Nguyen

No touchdown (3:41 p.m.): The call was overturned. Chargers punt instead. — Joe Nguyen

Overturned. Gene Steratore seems to like it. Not entirely sure I agree. — Matt Schubert

McMillianaire (3:38 p.m.): Ja’Quan McMillian with a (surprise, surprise) big play. Strip sack into a touchdown. The play is under review right now. — Joe Nguyen

Ja’Quan McMillian … again! Strip sack, fumble recovery and touchdown return! All by himself. — Matt Schubert

Is Ja’Quan McMillian a Pro Bowler? — Ryan McFadden

It’s Easton Stick time (3:36 p.m.): Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert went back to the locker room. Backup Easton Stick is in now. Herbert has a finger injury and is questionable to return. — Joe Nguyen

Broncos now at three consecutive punts for the Broncos. And, yet, it feels like Denver is in complete control

Especially with Justin Herbert in the locker room getting treatment. Easton Stick, the North Dakota State product, is on the field in a really big spot. — Matt Schubert

Out of bounds? (3:34 p.m.): Sean Payton thought Perine got tackled out of bounds and he made his displeasure very clear to the officiating crew. — Matt Schubert

Spin-a-roonie (3:31 p.m.): Tight end Adam Trautman with a nice spin move after the catch. But it doesn’t count. Courtland Sutton was called with offensive pass interference. — Joe Nguyen

Defense stands (3:27 p.m.): Great pressure from Jonathon Cooper on Herbert, who throws an incomplete pass on fourth down. Chargers were called for illegal shift but Denver declined the call.

Broncos are back on offense. — Ryan McFadden

Feels like the Broncos defense pulled a Jedi mind trick allowing the Chargers to get just close enough to convince them to go for it on fourth down. L.A. now 0 for 2 on fourth down. This game could be 7-6. Instead, it’s still 7-0, Broncos. — Matt Schubert

Sack No. 4 (3:25 p.m.): Is this 2015? The Broncos have their fourth sack on the first half. Josey Jewell joins the party. — Joe Nguyen

Third-down woes (3:21 p.m.): The Broncos are now 1 of 4 on third down, which is currently OK because it isn’t as bad as the Chargers’ 0 for 5. — Matt Schubert

Missed opportunity (3:19 p.m.): Bad throw by Russell Wilson. Kinda bad drop by Jerry Jeudy. A deep ball that would’ve had the Broncos on the doorstep once again, instead falls incomplete and now the Broncos are punting again. — Matt Schubert

Low-scoring affair (3:18 p.m.): The way this game is looking, no one will score 20 points. — Ryan McFadden

Wide open. And missed. (3:14 p.m.): Russell Wilson had a wide-open Jerry Jeudy. It just went through his arms. That would’ve got the Broncos inside the 5-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

At least it’s double digits (3:12 p.m.): Justin Herbert’s QB rating at the moment: 10.4. — Matt Schubert

Sack party (3:08 p.m.): Denver got its third sack after Alex Singleton got to Justin Herbert. He couldn’t bring him down, but Zach Allen sure did. — Joe Nguyen

Alex Singleton looks motivated. — Matt Schubert

Justin Herbert is straight up not having a good time so far today. — Parker Gabriel

Zach Allen’s fifth sack of the season forces the Chargers to punt. Los Angeles is 0-for-5 on third down. — Ryan McFadden

Punt (3:03 p.m.): After a quarterback sneak to gain the first down on the second to last play of the first quarter, the Broncos gained just 3 yards in their next two plays. Riley Dixon punts it. — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Broncos 7, Chargers 0

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Denver is playing solid defense. The group had two sacks and three quarterback hits in the opening frame. Chargers have played some bad football, man. Still puzzled about them going for it on fourth down in the red zone instead of taking the points.

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos defense showed up with a bad attitude today. The Chargers showed up … bad all around.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Well, this is exactly the version of the Chargers the Broncos wanted to show up to SoFi. Denver’s ability to score a TD off its takeaway while the Chargers completely squandered theirs is essentially a 10-point swing. Given what we’ve seen from Justin Herbert and the Broncos defense so far today, that feels like a game-deciding swing.

First-quarter updates

Bonitto injury update (2:59 p.m.): Bonitto just got carted into the locker room after being ruled questionable to return with a knee injury. — Ryan McFadden

Nik Bonitto injury (2:52 p.m.): Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto just limped off the field with a trainer. — Ryan McFadden

Big sack (2:51 p.m.): Ja’Quan McMillian joins the sack party. His sprint off the left tackle got to Justin Herbert. He splits the sack with Nik Bonitto. — Joe Nguyen

Every week, Ja’Quan McMillian makes a play on defense. — Matt Schubert

Jonathon Cooper injury (2:49 p.m.): Following his interception, Jonathon Cooper is being evaluated in the injury tent. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Broncos (2:47 p.m.): One play later, Javonte Williams runs in his first touchdown run in two years. 205 carries between scores.

So, for those scoring at home: Both defenses get a takeaway inside the other team’s 20. The Broncos turn it into seven. The Chargers get zero. This is why the Chargers are the Chargers. — Matt Schubert

Defensive lineman interception (2:46 p.m.): Justin Herbert threw a pass that was batted by Baron Browning and snagged by Jonathon Cooper. Broncos with the ball at the 3-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Team Takeaway returns. Baron Browning tip. Jonathon Cooper pick. And now the Broncos have the ball inside the Chargers 10. — Matt Schubert

Puts the specials in team (2:45 p.m.): Riley Dixon has been pretty solid for the last couple of weeks now. He hits a wedge shot from midfield to pin the Chargers inside their own 10. — Matt Schubert

Defense to the rescue (2:39 p.m.): As has been the case since Week 6: Vance Joseph’s team rises to the occasion when its called upon. They’ve bailed out Sean Payton’s offense far more frequently than the reverse. — Parker Gabriel

Fourth-and-nothing (2:37 p.m.): On fourth-and-3 at the Denver 6, the Chargers went for it. Justin Herbert could not connect with Gerald Everett. Broncos ball. — Joe Nguyen

Then the Chargers up the ante and go full Chargers with a fourth-and-short misfire from Justin Herbert. No points as the Broncos dodge an early bullet and now Javonte Williams has the Broncos on the move. — Matt Schubert

Bad error (2:36 p.m.): Welp, this is exactly the sort of start that this version of the Broncos absolutely has to avoid. Early giveaway that will almost assuredly lead to points for the Chargers. — Matt Schubert

Casa Bonitto (2:35 p.m.): Nik Bonitto is one fast man. Tackle for a loss of 2 on Los Angeles’ first play of that drive. — Joe Nguyen

Rough start (2:32 p.m.): That’s almost assuredly going to be a Russell Wilson interception. Marvin Mims Jr. never had control of that ball. — Matt Schubert

Empty backfield at the nine-yard line on first down? — Ryan McFadden

Big sack (2:29 p.m.): Alex Singleton ran down Justin Herbert on third down to force the Chargers to punt on their opening drive. Denver will start on its own 9-yard line after a holding call on the punt. — Joe Nguyen

Alex Singleton out for redemption after last week’s four-point flub. Off to a good start with a sack to end the Chargers’ first drive of the game. — Matt Schubert

Coin toss (2:24 p.m.): Denver wins the toss and defers. Chargers will get the ball to start the game. — Ryan McFadden

Pre-game updates

In other games (1:51 p.m.): If you’re scoreboard watching today, it’s been a chaotic early slate of games for the back part of the AFC playoff race. Jets doing Denver a solid and leading Houston so far today. 6-6 Cincinnati is rolling over 7-5 Indy. 7-5 Cleveland’s up two scores over 8-4 Jacksonville.

If those scores hold, there will be four teams at 7-6, with Denver and Buffalo (at KC) each aiming to join the party this afternoon. — Parker Gabriel

Inactives (12:59 p.m.): Perine is indeed active. Bit of a scare with the knee issue forcing him to miss practice altogether on Friday, but he passed the pregame test and is good to go.

Denver’s inactive list:

RB Tyler Badie
OLB Thomas Incoom
OLB Ronnie Perkins
S JL Skinner
C Alex Forsyth
TE Nate Adkins
DL Elijah Garcia

— Parker Gabriel

Next man up (12:21 p.m.): If Perine is unavailable, the Broncos elevated running back Tyler Badie from the practice squad. — Ryan McFadden

Good morning from SoFi Stadium (12:14 p.m.): The Broncos face a critical road test today against the Chargers. They need to stack AFC wins down the stretch in order to stay in the playoff mix. RB Samaje Perine (knee) is questionable, but he just worked out on the field and Denver is hopeful that he’ll be available to play, at least in some capacity.

Other than that, Denver is about as healthy as anybody could ask for this time of year. Perine’s status and the Broncos’ inactive list will be made official 90 minutes before kickoff. — Parker Gabriel

Scouting report (noon): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Chargers in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21

Denver was its own biggest enemy in a loss last weekend at Houston. With a similar style game on tap — indoor stadium, an opponent that struggles to defend the pass — Sean Payton finds just enough patience to stick with the run plan and Russell Wilson doesn’t turn the ball over three times. Unless they really fail against Khalil Mack. … Yeah, it’s not likely to be easy.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Chargers 21

The Broncos will get back into the win column and improve their playoff chances. It’s a divisional matchup, so things are going to be close. But I can see Sean Payton leaning on the run and using the play-action game to exploit Los Angeles’ pass defense. Denver doesn’t deserve to be in the playoffs if it can’t beat Los Angeles.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 22, Chargers 20

Somebody get the shepherd’s crook for Bolts coach Brandon Staley before he wastes any more peak years of Justin Herbert’s career. The Broncos’ pass-protection issues make you nervous in this one, granted, which is only one more reason why Sean Payton needs to let somebody other than Russ do the cooking.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 20, Chargers 16

In Broncos Country takeover of Sofi Stadium, Denver beats the team the City of Angels never wanted. And Russell Wilson out-performs Justin Herbert, the most overrated player in the NFL.

Broncos-Chargers NFL Week 14: Must-reads

Task No. 1 for Broncos’ offensive front Sunday: Slow down Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack, who at 32 is “playing out of his mind”

By most general metrics, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense isn’t particularly daunting. It ranks No. 24 overall in estimated points added per play and is relatively balanced against the pass (No. 23) and against the run (No. 20). Brandon Staley’s defense, however, does two things really well: Win third down and get after opposing quarterbacks.

Those two, of course, end up being related when teams are forced to throw the ball on third down. The Chargers are tied for third in the NFL with 41 sacks. Even in recent weeks without star defensive end Joey Bosa (on injured reserve with a foot injury), they’ve been able to generate heat. L.A. had two sacks against Baltimore on Nov. 27 and five last week in a 6-0 shutout win against New England.

The driving force: Who else but veteran Khalil Mack. The 32-year-old is putting together one of the most productive years of his storied career, racking up 15 sacks through the Chargers’ first 12 games. He’s at 99.5 for his career, so the next one will tip the register into triple digits. The Broncos will have a big task on their hands if they’re to keep him from hitting the milestone Sunday, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

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