The Chargers had a choice between punting or trying to convert a fourth down in their own territory with just over 10 minutes to play in Sunday’s game against the Broncos and head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to go for it.
A sneak with quarterback Justin Herbert went nowhere and the Broncos took over at the Chargers’ 41-yard line. Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for a first down, picked up seven yards on a run and then hit Jaylen Waddle for another first down while being roughed by Chargers safety Tony Jefferson. Nix hit Sutton for a five-yard score a couple of plays later and it is 17-17 with under nine minutes to play in Los Angeles.
Harbaugh’s choice will be questioned either way, but it will really be in the spotlight if the Chargers fall to 0-5. The Broncos did not have a first down in the second half before the touchdown drive and punting would have forced them to drive much more of the field to draw even.
Now it’ll be up to the Chargers to make that a less pointed decision. It won’t help the Broncos that safety Talanoa Hufanga is out with an ankle injury.