INGLEWOOD, Calif. – In a game that saw something unseen in the NFL in 48 years, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers ended Thursday night’s game in the same place they started – just before Move into the playoffs.

The Chargers overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to beat the Broncos 34-27 at SoFi Stadium. In doing so, they delayed Denver’s return to the playoffs for at least another week while also securing the direct tiebreaker if the teams have the same record at the end of the season.

Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Chargers, whose defense gave up three touchdowns in the first half but stiffened in the second half. Meanwhile, the Broncos have been plagued by foul penalties and are still waiting to secure their first playoff berth since 2015.

Here are the key things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

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The cliché used by football fans of a “must-win game” fit the Chargers on Thursday. Not only had they lost two games in a row, but they were also eliminated from the playoff race, slipping to the seventh and final playoff spot.

The night began with the Chargers looking like they were going to experience another disappointment in front of a prime-time crowd that their fan base has become accustomed to over the years, as the Broncos took a 21-7 lead. But Herbert and the Chargers had other plans. LA, one of the NFL’s worst second-half teams this season, outscored the Broncos 24-6 over the final two quarters.

Thursday’s victory is perhaps the most significant of the Jim Harbaugh era in LA. After just five wins last season, the victory moves the Chargers into sixth place in the AFC and in pole position to be back in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

QB breakdown: It was an inconsistent season for Herbert. Injuries have prevented him from getting into a rhythm, but he has had periods where he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It was both sides of the quarterback game on Thursday, as Herbert threw an uncharacteristic interception deep in Broncos territory late in the first half before making countless tough throws in the second, including a highlight-reel throw to the left with a defender draped over his body to Derius Davis rolled to give the Chargers their first lead at 27-24 in the fourth quarter.

Herbert finished the game with 23 of 30 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. It was a reminder of Herbert’s talent and the version of him that the Chargers hope to move forward.

Worrying trend: The Chargers were considered one of the NFL’s best defenses for much of this season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored 40 points in Week 15. The struggles continued Thursday night as the Broncos scored on their first three drives, but the Chargers’ defense stepped up and allowed just six points the rest of the game.

Surprising performance: Running back Gus Edwards had by far his best game as a Charger, finishing the game with 11 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Edwards’ 43-yard run in the fourth quarter effectively ended the game and set up Herbert’s game-winning touchdown pass to Hassan Haskins. The 43-yarder was the second-longest run of Edwards’ career. – Kris Rhim

Next game: at the New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 28)

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In the “be careful what you wish for” department, the Broncos excitedly demonstrated that they are the first team to play in a Thursday night game and the first team to play two Thursday night road games in a season.

They did it because coach Sean Payton liked the idea that the Cincinnati Bengals – the Broncos’ next opponent – would be left out of the slot and the Broncos would have a longer week to prepare for next week’s game. But the Broncos didn’t take care of business right in front of them.

With Denver having a chance to clinch its first playoff berth since the franchise’s Super Bowl 50 victory, the Chargers rallied to claim victory and defeat the Broncos. This loss drops the Broncos to 7th place and the final playoff spot in the AFC behind the Chargers. The Broncos have next Saturday’s game in Cincinnati and the regular season finale at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos had leads of 21-10 and 24-13, but a couple of defensive penalties in the second half – including an unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Justin Strnad for a hit on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, which turned out to be the Chargers’ “founding drive.” “ – were expensive. The offense also collapsed in the second half, delaying Denver’s return to the playoffs for at least a few more days.

Describe the game in two words: Didn’t listen. Payton had written on his call sheet: “Run It!” And despite the Broncos’ early success on the ground – they ran the ball on seven of 10 plays to score a touchdown on their first possession – they ran it just 14 times running For the rest of the game, Payton continued to struggle to find a rhythm in the running game, even as he continued to emphasize how important it will be for the Broncos.

Worrying trend: Week after week, Payton laments the impact of the Broncos’ early penalties. That was an issue again on Thursday night, as the Chargers scored nine straight points on penalties. Cornerback Tremon Smith was cautioned for fair catch interference on the final play of the first half. Instead, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made a 57-yard fair-catch free kick to end the half.

Linebacker Justin Strnad was charged with unnecessary harshness for a late hit on Herbert that was a stop on a third-and-13 play deep in Broncos territory. Instead of settling for a field goal attempt, the Chargers scored a touchdown on the next play. Then, early in the fourth quarter, edge rusher Jonathon Cooper was slowed for a horse-collar tackle that kept the Chargers’ drive going – the Broncos also had two offsides penalties on the same drive – when Denver desperately needed the ball back.

QB breakdown: Bo Nix started Thursday after throwing five interceptions in the previous two games. He had a close call in the third quarter when running back Javonte Williams held on to the ball just long enough before Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. snatched it away from him on the ground.

But even though the end result wasn’t what he wanted as the Broncos’ offense faltered in the second half, Nix had zero turnovers on 29 of 40 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Nix led Denver on three touchdown drives to open the game, one of which was set up by a 53-yard catch-and-run completion to Marvin Mims Jr., the team’s second completion of more than 50 yards in this season. –Jeff Legwold

Next game: at the Cincinnati Bengals (4:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 28)