Final: Denver Broncos 35 San Diego Chargers 21
- Updated: October 23, 2014
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Quick Notes:
The San Diego Chargers would have to take on the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos just 5 days after Manning broke the record for the most passing touchdowns in NFL history.
Would Manning have a letdown game after having so much thrill just a few short days earlier? Its Peyton Manning! So not a chance.
Manning would have close to 300 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, and have a 124.2 quarterback rating.On the other side, Philip Rivers of the Chargers would try to keep up with 3 passing touchdowns of his own but this would also go along with 2 interceptions.
The big time player for the Broncos, besides Manning, would be the number one receiving target tonight, Emmanuel Sanders, who would have 3 receiving touchdowns.
Like most games for the Broncos this season, when they start to get into a groove on offense, it’s almost impossible to stop them. This would be exactly the case tonight as the 2nd half would come around in this game and the Broncos would start lighting up the scoreboard.
The Chargers have now lost two straight in under a week to quality football teams. Their next game will be against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on November 2nd at 1:00ET.
Recap:
The game began with the Denver Broncos having the ball. Peyton Manning and his Denver offense would not get anything going and would punt it to the Chargers.
The Chargers would, similarly, not get anything going and punt the ball back to the Broncos.
This would actually be a recurring theme for both sides as the game would begin with four straight punts.
The Denver Broncos would finally get things going, though, as Manning would throw a long-ball to Emmanuel Sanders for 38 yards which would be caught over two Charger defenders. This would set the Broncos up with good field position which they would take advantage of with a 2- yard pass to, again, Sanders for a touchdown making the score 0-7, Broncos, at the start of the 2nd quarter.
The Chargers would continue to struggle on offense as they would attempt to keep their attack balanced with the rushing attack but the bolts would have a total of 6 negative yardage plays in just the first half. The running game would actually be hurting the bolts.
The Chargers would finally get their own offensive game going as they would go to what has been working for them…the passing attack. On their next drive, the bolts would have passing gains for yards of 13,10,15, and 31. It would be a combination of receiver, Keenan Allen, and tight end, Antonio Gates, on the receiving end of these long passes. The drive would be capped of with a 2-yard pass to Allen making the score 7-7, late in the second quarter.
Right after the Chargers scored, they would kick the ball off to the Broncos where a fumble would occur on the return and the Chargers would get atop of the ball for the recovery. The play would be reviewed, though, and it would appear that the fumble would stand as a fumble but the referees would rule differently and rule the ball-carrier down by contact and the ball would stay with the Broncos.
On the resulting possession by the Broncos, Manning would drive the ball down the field on a two-minute drill before halftime which would be capped off with another touchdown to Sanders of 31 yards. The score would now be 7-14, Broncos, at the end of the 1st half.
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To begin the 2nd half, the Chargers would have the ball…but it would not be for long. Rivers would throw an interception to Broncos’ Chris Harris just 30 seconds into the quarter.
Manning the rest of the Denver offense would take advantage of the good field position and get into the red zone quickly where Manning would work his magic once again. For the 3rd time this game, Sanders would get a receiving touchdown from Manning of 3 yards to now make the score 21-7, Broncos in control.
Following a punt by the Chargers, the Broncos would get the ball and move quickly down the field once again. 5 plays for 61 yards in just 1:41 would be the entire Bronco drive that would lead to another touchdown. This time, the Broncos would run it in with Juwan Thompson for 2 yards to give the Broncos a commanding lead, 28-7, midway through the 3rd quarter.
The Chargers would have the ball once more and it would be a wonder if Rivers would be able to move the ball at all on offense. Rivers and the Chargers’ offense would finally start moving the ball down the field with some nice passing gains. A 26-yard pass to Malcolm Floyd would move the ball right into the red zone.
The Chargers would then be forced with a 4th down and goal which the bolts would go for on. The result? A passing touchdown to Antonio Gates. A common connection between the duo. Chargers still down 14-28 late in the 3rd quarter.
On the Broncos next possession, they would get down the field like many times before. They would get to the goal line and Manning would attempt a pass which would appear to be intercepted by Chargers’ Eric Weddle. The play would be called back for defensive holding which, on the replay, seemed like a questionable call.
On the very next play, the Broncos would run it in again with Juwan Thompson for another touchdown making the score 14-35, Broncos, at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
Being down 14-35 in the 4th quarter, the Chargers would need to score quickly in order to keep their hopes alive. This would be exactly what the Chargers would do as they would do 8 plays, 80 yards in just under 4 minutes as they would earn another touchdown with a pass to, once again, Antonio Gates. The score would now be 21-35, Broncos, midway through the 4th quarter.
On the Broncos next possession, Manning would continue to pass the ball and, one particular play, would throw it to Emmanuel Sanders which would be stripped by Chargers’ Eric Weddle but the ball would be recovered by the Broncos.
The Broncos would continue moving down the field but would be held to a 53-yard field goal attempt which would be no good, late in the 4th quarter.
The Chargers would start the ball in their best field position of the night but, again, would need to score quickly to even have a chance. Rivers would throw the ball deep into double coverage which would be intercepted by Broncos’ Rahim Moore.
This would be the dagger for the Broncos as they would begin to milk the clock by running the ball with the final score being 21-35, Broncos.
For more on the San Diego Chargers and coverage of the rest of the NFL season, stay here at Calisportsnews.com. All Cali, all the time.
Key Statistics:
San Diego Chargers:
QB – Philip Rivers – 30-41, 252 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception
WR – Keenan Allen – 9 receptions, 73 receiving yards
S – Eric Weddle – 11 tackles, 9 solo tackles
Denver Broncos:
QB – Peyton Manning – 25-35, 286 passing yards, 3 touchdowns
WR – Emmanuel Sanders – 9 receptions, 120 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
WR – Demaryius Thomas – 8 receptions, 105 receiving yards
LB – Von Miller – 2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
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