Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the attempt, the longest free kick in NFL history and L.A. went into halftime trailing 21-13. L.A. eventually came back in the second half to win 34-27. For Harbaugh, it was a joyous opportunity and moment.

And so here we are: On to Cincinnati. The Broncos lost because of Dicker the Kicker and Hassan Haskins. The Chargers, despite trailing 21-10, despite giving up a touchdown on the Broncos’ first three possessions, were better.

In the first-ever flexed Thursday Night Football game on Amazon Prime—a huge game between two teams for the final playoff spots in the AFC—Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton had one thing on his mind. Run the ball. We know this because the words "RUN IT!!" were scribbled on Payton's laminated call sheet.

It would be an understatement to say that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is pleased with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Arriving via the No. 12 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, Nix won the Broncos' open quarterback competition,

The Broncos took an 11-point lead in the third quarter but gave up three unanswered touchdowns as the Chargers won 34-27. The Broncos struggled to contain quarterback Justin Herbert and the Chargers passing game, with the secondary coming under fire by Payton after the game.

For years, the Broncos continuously held below-500 seasons. They've only had one winning year post-Peyton Manning era, and from 2017-2023, the team's overall record was 43-72. While Sean Payton was already the head coach in 2023, one could argue that it makes the current resurgence even sweeter for him.

Perhaps the Broncos had a champagne party in their heads a bit too soon. Denver scored three touchdowns in their first three drives Thursday against the Chargers, who owned the league’s No. 9 defense in terms of DVOA (Defense-adjusted value over average) entering the game.

Sean Payton and Vance deserve all the blame for this game. Sean called plays like an asshole and got way too conservative in the 2nd half. Inexcusable. Vance made zero adjustments and has now got his ass kicked 2 of the last 3 games.

Rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin loves the opportunity for the entire country to focus their attention on the Broncos. More importantly, he loves that Payton fully embraces those moments and has the utmost faith in his team. “He knows what he got,” Franklin told The Denver Post. “It’s cool to show everybody what the Denver Broncos are all about.”

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton's simple play was exposed by the cameras during Thursday Night Football.

The Denver Broncos instinctively believe in their rookie quarterback to deliver when the chips are down. A glance at the box score and Bo Nix's day vs. the Indianapolis Colts reads quite bizarrely. The Denver Broncos rookie quarterback only passed for 130 yards on 33 attempts and was picked off three times.