Jim Harbaugh, Chargers feel better after first win in Denver since 2018

Flanked by team medical staff, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh shuffled into the locker room as his offense took the field against the Denver Broncos.

Harbaugh, suffering from an undisclosed illness, returned to the sideline midway through the first quarter and a few plays later after quarterback Justin Herbert made a perfect third-down throw to Joshua Palmer to extend a Chargers drive. Harbaugh pointed to the field and pumped his fist.

It was as if nothing had happened.

As his coaches and teammates walked in and out of the locker room, Herbert was the driving force in the Chargers’ 23-16 victory over the Broncos on Sunday. The quarterback, who had the slowest passing start of his career, sparked the Chargers’ offense with 237 yards and a touchdown on 21 of 34 passes.

The Chargers (3-2) came off a two-game skid to win their first game in Denver since 2018, but gave up 16 points in the fourth quarter as the loss almost became an embarrassment.

The Chargers watched a late onside kick attempt go out of bounds to avoid disaster in a game they led by 23 points.

The Chargers led 20-0 at halftime with 21 minutes and 13 seconds of possession, which wasn’t actually a typo in the box score.

Read more: 🏈 Chargers-Broncos recap

They methodically ran the ball down the field against the NFL’s second stingiest defense and put together a 20-play drive. The Chargers’ defense, the only unit that allowed fewer points per game than Denver’s, asserted its resolve with two first-half takeaways.

Defensive back Elijah Molden started the game with an interception – his second of the season – on Denver’s first offensive attack. However, Harbaugh went to the locker room as the Chargers went on offense.

Receivers Quentin Johnston (ankle) and Ladd McConkey (head) and offensive lineman Trey Pipkins (shoulder) were among the offensive players in the injury tent in the first quarter.

Herbert, benefiting from a week-long recovery period from his sprained right ankle, didn’t let up for a second as the formerly run-heavy offense finally found a groove through the air.

Herbert had not attempted more than 27 passes per game or thrown for 180 yards this season. He surpassed both marks in the first half.

Read more: ‘He’s just such a freak’: The Chargers have the NFL’s only two-way player

Even though thousands of fans had already turned out and the Chargers led 23-0, the Broncos tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. Rookie Bo Nix threw touchdowns on consecutive drives and grabbed every ounce of momentum as the Chargers went three-and-out on consecutive possessions.

First half dominance turned to second half indifference as the Chargers still haven’t scored a second half touchdown since Week 1.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.