Rivers and Chargers jolt listless Broncos

DENVER - Peyton Manning wanted more rest. He got plenty Thursday night, thanks to Philip Rivers and a San Diego defense that slowed down Manning and handed the Broncos an unexpected and harmful loss.

Rivers threw two touchdown passes to Keenan Allen and kept the Chargers' offense on the field for nearly 39 minutes in a 27-20 stunner over the Broncos (11-3).

The Chargers (7-7) got a field goal to go up 10 late. Denver answered with a field goal but couldn't recover the onside kick.

Chargers 27, Broncos 20

San Diego 3 14 7 3 – 27

Denver 10 0 0 10 – 20

First quarter

Den–Caldwell 15 pass from Manning (Prater kick), 11:51.

SD–FG Novak 38, 5:15.

Den–FG Prater 32, 1:22.

Second quarter

SD–Allen 19 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 9:46.

SD–Allen 10 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 1:05.

Third quarter

SD–Mathews 23 run (Novak kick), 11:06.

Fourth quarter

Den–Caldwell 5 pass from Manning (Prater kick), 10:25.

SD–FG Novak 35, 2:36.

Den–FG Prater 42, :29.

A: 76,497.

SD   Den

First downs 24   19

Total Net Yards 337   295

Rushes-yards 44-177   11-18

Passing 160   277

Punt Returns 2-11   0-0

Kickoff Returns 0-0   4-108

Interceptions Ret. 1-6   0-0

Comp-Att-Int 12-20-0   27-41-1

Sacked-Yards Lost 2-6   1-12

Punts 3-42.0   4-46.5

Fumbles-Lost 1-0   0-0

Penalties-Yards 4-35   6-43

Time of Possession 38:49   21:11

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: San Diego, Mathews 29-127, Woodhead 9-29, R.Brown 3-12, Rivers 3-9. Denver, Moreno 8-19, Ball 3-(minus 1).

Passing: San Diego, Rivers 12-20-0-166. Denver, Manning 27-41-1-289.

Receiving: San Diego, V.Brown 3-54, Royal 3-46, Allen 2-29, Gates 2-23, Woodhead 1-13, Mathews 1-1. Denver, Caldwell 6-59, Ball 5-49, Moreno 5-36, J.Thomas 4-49, D.Thomas 4-45, Decker 2-42, Tamme 1-9.

Missed Field Goals: None.