Teddy Bridgewater comes back from injury to lead Broncos past Chargers

[November 29, 2021] Teddy Bridgewater shook off a lower-leg injury to throw a touchdown pass and run for another, Patrick Surtain II had two interceptions -- including a pick-six -- and the host Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers 28-13 on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris (25) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Bridgewater finished 11-for-18 passing for 129 yards. He left the game in the first quarter but returned after halftime to lead Denver (6-5) to the win.

Javonte Williams had 54 rushing yards and a score and had 57 yards receiving, Eric Saubert caught a TD pass, and Melvin Gordon III ran for 83 yards for the Broncos.

Justin Herbert was 28-for-44 passing for 303 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and Austin Ekeler and Jared Cook caught TD passes for the Chargers (6-5). Keenan Allen had seven catches for 85 yards.

Bridgewater gave Denver a 7-0 lead when he scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown with 4:31 left in the first quarter. He was knocked out of the game on the Broncos' next possession. He dropped back on a first-and-10 from Denver's 44 and was hit by Derwin James Jr. The ball came out and initially was ruled a fumble but was changed to an incomplete pass.

Drew Lock came in at quarterback and moved the Broncos to inside the Chargers' 10-yard line, and on third down Williams ran 9 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

James intercepted Lock at midfield late in the first half. Herbert made it count when he threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ekeler with 31 seconds left in the second quarter.

Lock was 4-for-7 passing for 26 yards.

The Chargers had a chance to tie it early in the fourth quarter when they drove to the Denver 18, but Surtain intercepted Herbert in the end zone.

Bridgewater turned the interception into points when he drove Denver toward the goal line and then hit Saubert for a 1-yard TD pass and a 21-7 lead with 8:54 to play.

On the ensuing drive, Herbert's pass to Ekeler went through his hands to Surtain, who returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.

Herbert found Cook at the back of the end zone with 4:34 left for the Chargers to complete the scoring.

--Field Level Media

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