the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. So, it limited the plays the Chargers could call. Herbert couldn’t roll out on a bootleg or try a quarterback draw or any number of plays.

But that all changed Sunday, with his ankle on the mend and the playbook expanded. Herbert set season highs with 21 completions and 34 attempts for 237 yards. He threw one touchdown pass, a 38-yard catch and run for a score by rookie running back Kimani Vidal in the first quarter.

The Chargers also crossed up the Broncos with a solid ground game that featured J.K. Dobbins, wide receiver Derius Davis and Vidal. Dobbins rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries. Davis carried twice for 14 yards and Vidal, subbing for the injured Gus Edwards, gained 11 yards on four carries.

Overall, the Chargers rushed for 128 yards on 38 attempts.

But the day belonged to Herbert, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

“I thought he was about as precise as he could be,” Harbaugh said. “There were some great throws, some great avoided pressure and just putting the ball in the appropriate spot throughout the entire game. It was super impressive. Hopefully, this reminds everybody that Justin Herbert is really good at playing quarterback.”

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

The Chargers’ best defense was their offense, especially in the first half. They held onto the ball for scoring drives of nine, six, 20 and 11 plays, wearing down the Broncos’ defense while providing their own defense extended breaks. It was a welcome development, according to all concerned.

“It makes us so we’re fresh,” Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. said. “I think we only played 15 or 20 plays in the first half.”

Actually, it was exactly 20.

The Chargers retained their lead as the NFL’s stingiest team, too.

They have given up a league-low average of 13.2 points through five games.

HARBAUGH’S HEALTH

After meeting with a cardiologist Monday, Harbaugh said later in the day he would wear a heart monitor for the next two weeks while he continues to serve as head coach. Harbaugh had an episode of atrial flutter and left the Chargers’ sideline briefly in the first quarter Sunday to get checked out.

Harbaugh had two previous episodes with atrial flutter, one in 1999 while a quarterback with the Chargers and another during a “Monday Night Football” game while coaching the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. He joked Sunday that he was 2-0 while coaching with an irregular heartbeat.

“Get a little blood thinner, need that,” said Harbaugh, who initially felt an irregular heartbeat Saturday. “It’s a medicine that doesn’t let your heart rate spike. That’s the issue I got. It spikes up for a certain amount of time or it goes too low. There’s a medicine now that will keep it right in the sweet spot.”

Harbaugh also said he might need additional treatment in the future.

WHAT COMES NEXT

The Chargers have an extra day in Week 7 to mend their many wounded players, including Edwards, outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip), cornerbacks Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder), tight end Hayden Hurst (groin), defensive back Deane Leonard (hamstring) and right guard Trey Pipkins III (shoulder). The Chargers (3-2) face the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) on “Monday Night Football” in Glendale, Arizona.