Manning Leads Comeback Over Chargers
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Jeff Gross/Getty Images(SAN DIEGO) — The Denver Broncos have been making a habit of falling behind and coming up just short. This time, they finished the comeback.
The Broncos erased a 24-point first-half deficit on Monday night to defeat the San Diego Chargers, 35-24 at Qualcomm Stadium.
The comeback was led by Denver (3-3) quarterback Peyton Manning, who connected with former Indianapolis teammate Brandon Stokely on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 9:03 left in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback and go ahead 28-24.
Manning went 24 of 30 for 309 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He threw only one incomplete pass in the second half. “It sure was special considering what was on the line,” Manning said.
For the Chargers (3-3), it was another puzzling loss. San Diego took advantage of numerous early special teams turnovers by the Broncos and built a 24-0 lead before halftime when quarterback Phillip Rivers hit tight end Antonio Gates for the second time in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
The Denver defense shut out the Chargers in the second half, and forced four interceptions of Rivers.
“When you lose it’s rough, especially in a game where you had a big lead and so much at stake,” Rivers said.
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