‘If y’all go across that middle, K-Jack’s gonna hit you’: Jackson’s return sparks Broncos’ defense

[Miles]

CARSON, Calif. — On fourth-and-goal from the Denver 1-yard line, Philip Rivers took the snap from the shotgun.


With six seconds left in the first half, the Chargers aimed to cut into the Broncos’ 17-0 lead. Running back Austin Ekeler jetted in front of Rivers from the right side of the formation, and Rivers pitched the ball forward to the 5-foot-10, 200-pound back.


Ekeler sprinted laterally in the backfield before turning upfield and angling toward the pylon.


That’s where he ran into Kareem Jackson. Or, rather, where Jackson ran into him.


The veteran safety, who missed a Week 4 game against Jacksonville with a hamstring injury, met Ekeler right before the goal line and dislodged the ball from his grasp. The ball flew out of the end zone for a touchback that ended the half, and the Broncos maintained their 17-0 lead.


It was exactly the kind of play Head Coach Vic Fangio envisioned Jackson making when the team signed him as a free agent in March.


“Huge,” said Fangio after the game when asked about the impact of the play. “[Cornerback Isaac Yiadom] was involved in that a little bit. He made him bow his course, which gave Kareem time to get there. So good play on those two guys’ part. And honestly, it’s a big play in the game. They go in at halftime 17-0 rather than 17-7.


“Those are the types of plays we had envisioned when we brought Kareem in here to play safety. It looked like from my vantage point like he played well. I’ve got to look at the tape obviously.”


The Chargers also received the opening kickoff of the second half, so it was conceivable before Jackson's stop that they could cut the lead to one possession before Denver's offense touched the ball again.


Jackson made sure that didn't happen.


“It felt good to be able to make that play for our team,” Jackson said. “It was a big situation in the game for us going into the half.”


Jackson did more than just make one play. He finished with a game-high 10 tackles, including eight of the solo variety. And having him back in the middle of the field meant a great deal to cornerback Chris Harris Jr.


“Kareem’s huge for us at safety, just bringing his experience and tackling and his physicality,” Harris said. “I love him at safety, because I let receivers know, ‘If y’all go across that middle, K-Jack’s gonna hit you.’”