![]() Rivers has averted his previous penchant for interceptions that had plagued him over the past two years, extending his run of late-season greatness in the process, per ESPN Stats & Info: What was most impressive about Rivers is that he didn't try to force the issue and simply took what the Broncos gave him (12-of-20 passing, 166 yards, two TDs), relying on Matthews to bear the brunt of the burden. He doesn't do that often, but solid coverage on the back end forced him to do so, and it upended what looked like a promising comeback charge. Having said that, Manning did hold the ball too long on the play he threw the costly pick. It's hard to blame Manning for Denver's first home loss of the season, because he simply didn't get a lot of opportunities and still managed to add two TD passes, giving him 47 for the season. An onside kick bid went begging, and the Chargers secured the road triumph. That was enough to put the Broncos away, as Nick Novak iced it with 2:36 left on a 35-yard field goal.Ĭredit Manning for putting Matt Prater in position to boot one of his own through the uprights to cut the deficit to seven, but by then it was too little, too late. It wasn't to be, though, after Manning's crushing pick. That lopsided time of possession allowed the Chargers to establish the run with Ryan Matthews, who seemed to break the game open with this amazing 23-yard run to make it 24-10 in the third quarter:įour drives had netted a meager 13 yards on 13 plays, per the NFL Network telecast, before Manning decided he'd had enough and that he wouldn't go quietly at home.Ĭaldwell nabbed a crucial fourth-down reception to keep the Broncos' comeback bid afloat, then Manning slung it to him on a swing pass, and Denver's two 1,000-yard receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker paved the way to pay dirt.Ī key stuff of Mathews on 3rd-and-1 of the next possession gave Manning a chance to tie, albeit from his own three after a beautiful coffin corner punt by Mike Scifres. However, San Diego took over with more methodical drives and superior conversion on third downs, holding the Broncos to converting two of their nine opportunities. This looked like it was going to be a shootout, which was to be expected considering the caliber of passing offenses on display. Rotoworld's Evan Silva adds Philip Rivers' perspective on Allen:Īfter securing the catch on a short crossing route, Allen surged up the field and YAC'd it up, then took to the air to avert two Denver defenders at the goal line for the tying touchdown: Then came a highlight reel catch-and-run on a pivotal 3rd-and-6 by Chargers rookie wideout Keenan Allen. San Diego responded with a field goal drive of its own thereafter, but the Broncos answered to make it a 10-3 advantage. Head coach Mike McCoy was the Broncos offensive coordinator last year and avenged a Week 10 loss to his former team in this rather shocking upset.Ī seven-play, 67-yard jaunt down the field began the game, as Denver took it effortlessly down the field and capped it off with Manning's 46th touchdown pass of the season to Caldwell. It was a masterful game plan crafted by San Diego's staff. The key play came in the fourth quarter, when Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget hit Manning's arm and Thomas Keiser easily intercepted the fluttering pass for the first and only turnover of the game.Īccording to CBS Sports' Eye on Football Twitter account, this was Manning's first loss in the AFC West since joining the Broncos: It leaves the seemingly invincible Broncos in danger of not securing home field throughout the playoffs, per 's Mike Reiss: ![]()
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