Trevor Siemian and the inept Broncos’ offense tried everything in their power to piddle away this one, but the ‘No Fly Zone’ suffocated the Chargers’ last minute efforts to snag Denver’s first divisional win of the season.

Yes, it was uglier than a hairless cat, but a win is a win.

At times it looked like the Broncos were going to run away with this one, but reprehensible offensive mistakes and Philip Rivers’ hormonal hissy fit sessions kept San Diego in this game until the final drive.

Don’t let the Chargers’ record fool you. This is a very good team. As repugnant as Denver played, this is a very big win at home. Let’s take a look at four key takeaways from the Broncos win.

1. The offense continues to lay eggs in the redzone

The Broncos managed to put up 27 points against a top-ten defense, but they should have gone for 40. Their lack of ability to score in the opponent’s red zone is starting to become a problem, and is well on its way to giving me an aneurysm.

Going into Sunday’s matchup, the Broncos ranked in the middle of the league by scoring touchdowns on 55 percent of their red zone visits, which is much higher than their 46 percent touchdown conversion rate last season. The Broncos put forth their best effort to lower that percentage against the Chargers.

Between Siemian and fill-in back Devontae Booker fumbling inside the San Diego 10-yard line, Denver walked away from the red zone twice without a single digit being added to the scoreboard. In an offense that is only mildly competent, any redzone visit needs to be converted into points, even if it is only three. The Broncos failed to do that keeping San Diego in the game until late into the fourth quarter.

Aside from walking away from the red zone scoreless on two separate occasions, the Broncos also managed to botch a first and goal inside the five yard line which would have put away the game. Not only was Booker unable to get a yard after two carries, Siemian also fired the ball to no-man’s land on third and goal which forced the Broncos to settle for a field goal. This made what looked to be a twelve point lead remain a one-possession game.

Thankfully these mistakes didn’t hurt the Broncos this time, but as the season continues, these are things that must get corrected.

2. The ‘No Fly Zone’ took the first drive off once again

Yes, the Broncos were missing some key contributors against the Chargers, but it wasn’t an issue. With linebacker Brandon Marshall and cornerback Aqib Talib out, the Denver defense followed the “next man up” mentality and held the second highest scoring team in the league to a mere 19 points.

Not only were they able to keep the Chargers out of the end zone, but they made Rivers’ day a living nightmare by sacking him four times and picking him off three more, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Rivers did however manage to throw for 267 yards, the most against the ‘No Fly Zone’ this season, but ultimately posted a pitiful 48.8 passer rating.

Considering the Denver defense was missing their defensive coordinator Wade Phillips after he took a nasty spill on the sidelines, it’s commendable that they were able to disrupt the Chargers offense as much as they did. But once again, they couldn’t stop the opponent in the first drive of the game.

The Broncos have given up points on the opponent’s first possession of the game in six of eight weeks, and five have been touchdowns. This is something that is mind boggling to me because they seem to be so incredibly suffocating at times, but never on the first possession of the game.

With an offense that is going to continue to struggle to put points on the board, it is imperative that the Broncos’ defense avoids getting into these holes early.

3. Riley Dixon saved the game with his monster punt

Punters are people, too.

Don’t ever forget it.

With the Broncos pinned inside their own three-yard line with just over two minutes left in the game, punter Riley Dixon unleashed a booming 68-yard punt that put the Chargers back well-inside their own territory. When many thought that Rivers and his companions were going to get the ball with over two minutes left on the Broncos side of the field, Dixon had other plans.

Many have questioned Dixon’s ability this season as he only ranks in the middle of the league in punting yard average, despite playing in the thin air of Denver. But in a “what have you done for me lately” league like the NFL, many fans might have completely forgotten about his mediocre season after his missile launch against the Chargers.

Back inside their own 35-yard line, San Diego failed to make much progress and the Broncos captured their sixth win of the season.

4. Bradley Roby steps up big time

With Talib out with back spasms, cornerback Bradley Roby had his number called on early and often, and boy did he live up to it.

The third-year cornerback out of THE Ohio State was all over the field and posted a tremendous stat line against the Chargers. Roby finished with seven tackles, two passes defended, and took an interception back to the house for Denver’s third defensive touchdown of the season.

With Talib facing a possible suspension after he allegedly shot himself in the leg this past summer, the Broncos have got to feel confident knowing that they have the talented Roby to fill his shoes if needed.

Roby and the Broncos will look to stop the Derek Carr and Amari Cooper next weekend as the Broncos travel to Oakland to face off with the Raiders on Sunday Night Football.