1. Record third-down day. The Broncos’ offense entered Sunday ranked 27th in third-down conversion rate (34.6), which means their production against the Chargers was a thunderbolt. The Broncos clicked at 72.7% (8 of 11) — the franchise’s highest in at least 30 years (the previous high was 71.4% vs. Indianapolis in 1993).
2. Cautious play-calling. The word and view on Chargers QB Justin Herbert last year was his ability to push the football down the field with his strong arm. That makes the Chargers’ play-calling against the Broncos peculiar. Of Herbert’s 44 attempts, only four traveled at least 16 “air” yards (3 of 4 for 58 yards and one touchdown).