Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders Lead Broncos Past Chargers 35-21
By Arnie Stapleton ••
Emmanuel Sanders waited six long weeks to join the list of players who have caught a touchdown pass from Peyton Manning. Now, he has four in less than a week.
Manning and Sanders connected for a trio of touchdowns Thursday night in the Denver Broncos' 35-21 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
With the Chargers' banged-up secondary double-teaming red-hot receiver Demaryius Thomas, Sanders caught TD throws of 2, 31 and 3 yards. The last one followed Chris Harris Jr.'s interception of a flustered Philip Rivers.
"Every week we don't know where the ball is going to go," Sanders said. "The defense really dictates that and what Peyton is seeing. And tonight was just my night."
Rookie running back Juwan Thompson added two TD runs as the Broncos (6-1) tightened their grip on the AFC West over the Chargers (5-3), who lost their second straight game.
Manning finished 25 of 35 for 286 yards. Sanders caught nine passes for 120 yards, and Ronnie Hillman added 109 yards on 20 carries.
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Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on October 19, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates and the coaching staff on the sideline after throwing his NFL record 509th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.
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A member of the Oakland Raiders cheerleaders dances in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at O.co Coliseum on October 19, 2014 in Oakland, California.
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Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins is pursued by Lamarr Houston #99 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter on October 19, 2014 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Miami Dolphins defeated the Chicago Bears 27-14.
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Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders returns an intercepted pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half at O.co Coliseum on October 19, 2014 in Oakland, California.
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Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after the catch as Prince Amukamara #20 of the New York Giants tries to make the tackle in the second half at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Arlington, Texas.
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Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs dives around cornerback Brandon Flowers #26 of the San Diego Chargers to score a touchdown to finish a 16 yard run in the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2014 in San Diego, California.
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Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants carries the ball after the catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Arlington, Texas.
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Jaron Brown #13 of the Arizona Cardinals makes the diving catch in front of T.J. Carrie #38 of the Oakland Raiders in the first half at O.co Coliseum on October 19, 2014 in Oakland, California.
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Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2014 in San Diego, California.
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DeMarco Murray #29 of the Dallas Cowboys tries to break the tackle of Devon Kennard #59 of the New York Giants in the first half at AT&T Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Arlington, Texas.
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Taylor Gabriel #18 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the first half of the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on October 19, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 of the San Francisco 49ers has a pass broken up by cornerback Bradley Roby #29 of the Denver Broncos, who was called for pass interference on the play, during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.
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Joique Bell #35 of the Detroit Lions runs for a short gain during the third quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on October 19, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Saints 24-23.
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Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos passes under pressure by defensive end Justin Smith #94 of the San Francisco 49ers during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.
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Reggie Nelson #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Adam Jones #24 of the Cincinnati Bengals combine to tackle Trent Richardson #34 of the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter on October 19, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis defeated Cincinnati 27-0.
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An Indianapolis Colts fan watches a replay during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 19, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis defeated Cincinnati 27-0.
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A Washington Redskins fan looks on before their game against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland.
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Running back Ronnie Hillman #23 of the Denver Broncos pushes inside linebacker Chris Borland #50 of the San Francisco 49ers as he has a 1-yard rushing touchdown with the help of guard Orlando Franklin #74 during the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado.
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Green Bay Packers fan cheers in the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on October 19, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Panthers 38-17.
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Aaron Rogers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes the football during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on October 19, 2013 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against the Seattle Seahawks int he first quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on October 19, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 28-26.
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Jermaine Kearse #15 of the Seattle Seahawks fails to catch a pass for a two-point conversion against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at the Edward Jones Dome on October 19, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Rashean Mathis #31 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with fans after a 24-23 win over the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field on October 19, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan.
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Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders perform during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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General view of M&T Bank Stadium as the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons play at M&T Bank Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Wide receiver Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons catched a touchdown over defensive back Dominique Franks #32 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Buffalo Bills fans cheer after beating the Minnesota Vikings at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York.
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Kai Forbath #2 of the Washington Redskins kicks the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland.
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Jared Odrick #98 of the Miami Dolphins rushes past Matt Slauson #68 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 19, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Dolphins defeated the Bears 27-14.
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Members of the Chicago Bears run onto the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field on October 19, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Dolphins defeated the Bears 27-14.
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Alex Smith #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands off the ball against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2014, in San Diego, California.
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Cooper Helfet #84 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass in the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 19, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for a touchdown during the game against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on October 19, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints passes in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 19, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan.
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Roy Helu #29 of the Washington Redskins is tackled during first quarter of their game against the Tennessee Titans at FedEx Field on October 19, 2014 in Landover, Maryland.
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Jerick McKinnon #31 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York.
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New England Patriots defensive tackle Chris Jones celebrates with teammates and the fans in the background after he blocked a last second, game wining field goal attempt by New York Jets placekicker Nick Folk.
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady lets out a howl as he comes onto the field as the Patriots prepared to take on the New York Jets in a Thursday Night Football game at Gillette Stadium.
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Sammy Watkins #14 of the Buffalo Bills makes a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Orchard Park, New York.
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Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is sacked in the second quarter by linebacker Pernell McPhee #90 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Nick Folk #2 of the New York Jets attempts a a field goal during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 16, 2014 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
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Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after a 59-yard touchdown pass reception in the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on October 19, 2014 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Sanders' speed, combined with Hillman's second gear, is the juice GM John Elway had in mind when he said the Broncos could be better this year than they were last season, when they became the first team in NFL history to top 600 points in a season.
"John Elway and his staff went out and wanted to increase our team speed in all phases of the game and I think we've done that," coach John Fox said.
One of Elway's prized free agent acquisitions last offseason, Sanders called this "wide receivers' heaven" when he joined the Broncos in the spring. He spent his first five games in a Broncos uniform piling up the yards — 473 of them — but wistfully wishing to become the 45th player to catch a touchdown pass from Manning.
He finally did it by hauling in the first of Manning's four TD throws Sunday night when the five-time MVP broke Brett Favre's career touchdown throw total (510 to 508).
Each time Thompson scored, Rivers and the Chargers responded with 80-yard drives that ended with touchdown catches by tight end Antonio Gates.
His two scores gave him an NFL-best nine, tied with Denver's star tight end, Julius Thomas, who was held out of the end zone for the second straight game.
Gates' first score was a 4-yard grab on fourth down, his second a 10-yard catch with 9 1/2 minutes left that made it 35-21.
Rivers finished 30 of 41 for 252 yards with three TDs and two interceptions.
Brandon McManus missed a 53-yard field goal with six minutes remaining, giving the Chargers great field position, but safety Rahim Moore intercepted Rivers' pass to Malcolm Floyd at the Denver 4 and the Broncos grounded it out from there.
With Sanders having a big day — and his fourth career 100-yard game, all coming with Manning this season — Demaryius Thomas quietly topped 100 yards himself for the fourth straight week, finishing with 105 yards on eight catches. He now has 626 yards in his last four games.
Sanders sliced across the back of the end zone to haul in his first TD from 2 yards out. His second score was a 31-yard beauty in which he roared past cornerback Richard Marshall and hauled in Manning's pass as he sprinted across the goal line to make it 14-7 with 32 seconds left to in the first half.
Denver's second scoring drive came after officials reversed a Bubba Caldwell fumble on the kickoff following Rivers' 2-yard TD strike to Keenan Allen, a score that followed Gates' 31-yard catch on third-and-20 from the Denver 33.
Neither team started fast offensively with Denver needing three drives to score and San Diego four. But the Broncos' plan to better control the clock worked.
The Broncos were held under 65 snaps just twice last season — both times by San Diego.
The Chargers controlled the clock for more than 38 minutes in both games, including a 27-20 stunner at Denver on a Thursday night in December. That was Manning's only divisional loss since heading West in 2012 and the Broncos' only loss at home.
This time, Denver had the ball longer than the Chargers.
Manning was coming off an emotional four-TD performance Sunday night against San Francisco in which he surpassed Favre as the NFL's touchdown pass king. Manning broke another of Favre's records on this night, albeit a much more obscure one: he now has 16 seasons with 20 or more touchdown passes, one more than Favre.
Manning is approaching another of Favre's records, too. With his 157th career multiple TD game, Manning is two shy of Favre's mark in that category.
This marked just the eighth time in league history that a quarterback started a season with seven straight games with multiple touchdowns — and Manning's done it three of those times.
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After losing at home to the Chargers on a Thursday night in December — Denver's only home loss last season — the Broncos changed their work week. They practiced without pads and helmets.
But their first two drives led to punts as defensive coordinator John Pagano again found ways to thwart Manning even with a banged-up secondary that was missing cornerbacks Brandon Flowers (concussion) and Steve Williams (groin). The Chargers also were missing linebacker Manti Te'o (foot).
