San Diego

Instant Game Recap: Chargers Find a Way to Finish, Defeat Reigning Super Bowl Champs

This is the first time they've beaten a team with a winning record since beating the Ravens in 2014.

As they have in their first five games of the season, the San Diego Chargers took a substantial lead on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos. This time, however, their defense made sure they did not give it up.

The Bolts put together without a question their best defensive effort of the year in a 21-13 win over the defending Super Bowl champions. It's the first time they've beaten a team with a winning record since beating the Ravens in Baltimore in November of 2014.

The Chargers took their opening drive right down the field against one of the leagues best defenses. Quarterback Philip Rivers hit rookie tight end Hunter Henry for a 5-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. After that they did nothing but kick field goals on offense but it was enough because the San Diego D never let Denver going offensively.

The Broncos had just 60 yards of offense on the first half and an awful start to the 3rd quarter. In their first three possessions they ran eight offensive plays, got no first downs, punted twice and turned the ball over once when linebacker Korey Toomer stripped Jordan Taylor of the ball and recovered the fumble in Denver territory. That led to one of Josh Lambo's four field goals.

In the 4th quarter things (as they often do with the Bolts) got interesting. A Drew Kaser punt pinned the Broncos back at their own three yard line. Quarterback Trevor Siemian dropped back to pass and his offensive line was called for a holding penalty in the end zone. By rule that's a safety, giving the Chargers two points and a 21-3 lead.

But on the free kick, the Chargers muffed the punt and Denver had it at midfield. Siemian led them on a TD drive, hitting Bennie Fowler from five yards out to cut the lead to 21-10. After the Chargers went 3-and-out it looked like they were on their way to another late game meltdown.

Siemian hit C.J. Anderson on a short pass but the Broncos running back broke several tackles for a stellar touchdown ... but is was nullified by another holding call. Two plays later rookie linebacker Jatavis Brown smacked Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, the ball popped out and San Diego avoided a fifth come-from-ahead loss.

The Chargers also snapped their 10-game losing streak against AFC West Division opponents. They also beat the Broncos at home for the first time since 2010.

The win likely preserves the job of head coach Mike McCoy, who now has 10 days to get ready for their next game, a road trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons.

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