A fourth-quarter comeback: Blocked.
An electric fourth-quarter rally fell short as Younghoe Koo's field goal was blocked with one second remaining in the Chargers' 24-21 opening-night loss to the Broncos Monday night in Denver.
Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian scored three total touchdowns, the first stemmed from a 13-play, 70-yard drive to wide receiver Bennie Fowler.
On the next possession, the Chargers used a 40-yard defensive pass interference penalty and a heavy dose of running back Melvin Gordon to score their first points of 2017. Gordon touched the ball six times on a nine-play drive, including an 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Philip Rivers to open the second quarter.
The Broncos responded with their second scoring drive of the game, this time a one-yard touchdown rush from Siemian. Denver took a 14-7 lead into halftime.
On the Chargers' first possession of the second half, Philip Rivers was intercepted by cornerback Bradley Roby at Los Angeles' 43-yard line. Six plays later, Siemian hooked up with Fowler for a six-yard touchdown — his second of the game — to make it 21-7 Broncos after a Brandon McManus extra point.
The Chargers' furious comeback attempt started in the fourth quarter. After an Adrian Phillips interception, Philip Rivers found wide receiver Keenan Allen for a five-yard touchdown.
On the next possession, linebacker Korey Toomer stripped running back Jamaal Charles of the football, which was recovered by cornerback Casey Hayward. One play later, Rivers connected with wide receiver Travis Benjamin for a 38-yard touchdown. A Younghoe Koo extra point cut the Broncos lead to 24-21.
Gordon finished the game with 18 carries for 54 yards, and five receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown. Allen caught five passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rivers went 22-of-33 for 192 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram each had 1.5 sacks.
NEXT UP
The Chargers' home opener is this Sunday, Sept. 17th against the Miami Dolphins at StubHub Center. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. Pacific on CBS.
The Chargers open the regular season in Denver for a divisional Monday Night Football showdown.
The Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers stand at mid field for the coin toss prior to an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) watches during the first half of an NFL football game agasint the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) tries to elude Denver Broncos strong safety Justin Simmons (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) dives over Denver Broncos strong safety Justin Simmons (31) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) makes a call against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws as Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget (94) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) dives over Denver Broncos strong safety Justin Simmons (31) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) dives over Denver Broncos strong safety Justin Simmons (31) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) lines up against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Charmeachealle Moore, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) is hit by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) is hit by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) pulls in a touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) celebrates a touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos with Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Adrian Phillips (31) celebrates his interception against the Denver Broncos with cornerback Casey Hayward during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Adrian Phillips (31) celebrates his interception against the Denver Broncos with linebacker Nigel Harris during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) lines up against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Korey Toomer (56) forces Denver Broncos running back Jamaal Charles (28) fumbles the football during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. The Chargers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, left, greets Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn after an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-21. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) greets Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy after an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. The Broncos won 24-21. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
