Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett watches game action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Muffed punt dooms Broncos in 'MNF' loss to Chargers

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 10/17/22

Neither offense seemingly wanted to win on Monday Night Football. Both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers had two shots on offense in overtime and neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Herbert could do anything with their chances.

It was a game that looked destined for a tie, especially with both defenses playing strong and both offenses disappearing. It did feel like something had to give in order for the score to budge, and that something came in the form of a special teams miscue.

Unfortunately, for the Broncos, it was their special teams that muffed a punt and allowed LA the chance for a game-winning field goal kick.

MUFFED PUNT pic.twitter.com/hZc0mVsBrd
— SGG Media (@SGG_hq) October 18, 2022

In a massive special teams breakdown, Denver punt returner Montrell Williams fell over because the blocker in front of him was pushed backward. Because it was the blocker that initiated that contact, the Chargers were not flagged for fair catch interference and instead, were set up with a 1st-and-10 on the Denver 28.

A few plays later, kicker Dustin Hopkins drilled a chip shot, and that was all she wrote for the Broncos — who scored 13 of their 16 points in the first half.

With the 19-16 win on Monday Night, the Chargers move to 4-2 on the season. The Broncos have started off Nathaniel Hackett's first season as head coach 2-4 and they're currently on a three-game losing streak.

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