DENVER — The road to Super Bowl LX will run through the Mile High City.
Led by a strong defensive performance, the Broncos clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 19-3 win over the Chargers in their regular-season finale.
The Broncos jumped out to an early 10-0 lead on the back of a Ja'Quan McMillian pick six, and Denver allowed just three points on the afternoon. Facing reserve quarterback Trey Lance, the Broncos forced seven punts, two turnovers and two turnovers on downs and held him to a 43.4 quarterback rating. In addition to McMillian's takeaway, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto helped secure the result in the second half with a strip-sack of Lance that led to another Broncos score.
Denver's offense, meanwhile, totaled four field-goal drives to help tie the single-season franchise record for wins.
The Broncos will now receive a first-round bye in the playoffs and will host the lowest remaining seed at Empower Field at Mile High during the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
These were the players and plays who made the difference in Sunday's clinching win:
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
We already mentioned the importance of turnovers on Sunday, and there was none more important than Ja'Quan McMillian's first-quarter interception. With the Broncos already leading 3-0, Trey Lance's third-down pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith ricocheted into the air, and McMillian snagged the ball and raced the other direction. McMillian's 45-yard pick six was the Broncos' first defensive touchdown of the season and their first defensive score since a Week 15 win last year against the Colts.
DEFINING STATISTIC
+2.
The Broncos spoke this week about the importance of getting more takeaways and winning the turnover battle as they look ahead to making a postseason run. They showed signs of that potential on Sunday, as they earned a plus-2 edge in the takeaway battle. Denver's plus-2 advantage matched the Broncos' Week 3 output for their best of the season, and Denver tied its season-high for takeaways.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Bonitto helped notch the Broncos' second takeaway of the game as he burst around the left side of the Chargers' offensive line and got to Lance. Bonitto forced the fumble, which was recovered by rookie Sai'vion Jones.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
Cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian recorded the second defensive touchdown of his career, adding to his score against the Browns last year.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto set a new single-season high for quarterback takedowns as he posted 1.5 sacks on the afternoon. His second sack was a strip-sack, marking his second such play of the season.
Quarterback Bo Nix recorded his highest rushing total of the season and the third highest clip of his career. With the victory, Nix set the franchise's single-season record for wins by a starting quarterback.
Inside linebacker Justin Strnad recorded a sack, which improved his season total to a career-high 4.5 sacks. He also added a pass breakup in the game.
Kicker Wil Lutz added four field goals on the afternoon, which marked the second-most field-goal makes he's posted in a game this year.
