Week 11 Game Recap: San Diego Chargers 35, Denver Broncos 27

What you need to know

San Diego Chargers

It was a record setting evening for the San Diego Chargers. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson became the quickest, in terms of games played, NFL player ever to 100 career touchdowns. More importantly, the Chargers became to first NFL team ever to come back and win consecutive games where they trailed by 17 points or more.

Tomlinson continued his unbelievable streak of fantastic games. He scored four total touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving) and had his first great game in Denver as a pro. He finished with 179 total yards, and was once again the main weapon in San Diego’s potent offensive attack. Tomlinson’s huge second half, where he scored three of his four touchdowns, led the Chargers from 17 down to an eight point victory.

Quarterback Philip Rivers had a good game, as he overcame a rough start to post 222 yards passing with two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 73.1 completion percentage. He spread to ball around to eight different receivers, but favored tight end Antonio Gates with six targets. Gates continues to post disappointing numbers, though, as this was his fourth straight game without a score or more than 70 yards receiving. The Chargers’ other score came on a Rivers to Vincent Jackson red zone toss.

San Diego’s defense played admirably, despite missing significant pieces in linebacker Shawn Merriman (suspension) and defensive lineman Luis Castillo (sprained ankle). The defense tightened in the second-half after going down by 17 points. They forced a three and out that led to Tomlinson’s first second-half touchdown. Later Drayton Florence intercepted Jake Plummer on a key fourth down late in the fourth quarter. Finally, Shaun Phillips got a sack on the last play of the game, causing Jake Plummer to fumble which kept the clock running with Denver unable to get a final play off.

Denver Broncos

Denver came out shaky, as quarterback Jake Plummer had another inconsistent game. Once Denver completed their standard 15 play script to open the game, they started to pound the ball on the ground with great success. They took advantage of the Chargers’ banged up defense, and on the strength of two Mike Bell touchdown runs and some opportunistic defensive play, had a 17 point lead in the third quarter. The wheels came off in the last 25 minutes of the game, as the Broncos were outscored 28 to 3 the rest of the way.

Plummer once again had a hard time hitting his receivers, and only completed 46% of his passes. He preferred his wide outs, as he targeted Javon Walker nine times and Rod Smith six times. He threw no touchdowns but did have a costly interception late in the game that allowed San Diego to put the game away. Rookie tight end Tony Scheffler was inactive for the second straight game.

The Broncos’ running game was very successful, gaining 158 total yards and the two second quarter scores from Mike Bell. Mike Bell was the leading rusher with 90 yards on 20 carries. Tatum Bell was inactive with his injured toes, although it was speculated during the game that he was resting up for a hopeful return at Kansas City on Thanksgiving night. Damien Nash performed well in his first extended action of the season, gaining 52 yards on the ground and 36 through the air.

The Broncos’ league leading defense lived up to their billing in the first half, as they only allowed one rushing score from LaDainian Tomlinson in the first quarter. After Darrent Williams returned a Philip Rivers’ third quarter interception for a touchdown, the defense imploded. San Diego scored touchdowns on their next four possessions, and walked away with the victory.

What you ought to know

QB Philip Rivers, Pass: 19 - 26 - 222 - 2 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 1 - 0

Rivers started the game slowly, going eight of 13 for 74 yards and an interception in the first half. After throwing an interception (intended for Keenan McCardell) in the early part of the third quarter that was returned for a touchdown, his game took a turn for the better. The next four drives went for touchdowns, including scoring tosses to LaDainian Tomlinson and wide receiver Vincent Jackson. Rivers also had an interception in the first half where Gates was targeted, but the ball was tipped at the line and caught by Broncos’ safety Nick Ferguson.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Rush: 20 - 105 - 3, Rec: 3 - 74 - 1 (4 targets)

Tomlinson had yet another huge game, scoring four touchdowns and earning 179 total yards. He scored a rushing touchdown in the first quarter, and added two more rushing scores and a 51 yard receiving touchdown in the second half. Tomlinson exorcised his Denver demons with the first excellent game of his career at Invesco Field. He was the Chargers’ workhorse yet again, with 23 total touches. Tomlinson is on a historical streak and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

RB Lorenzo Neal, Rush: 3 - 7 - 0, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Neal had three short yardage carries and caught one pass. He also contributed as Tomlinson’s lead blocker.

RB Michael Turner, Rush: 4 - 12 - 0

Turner had four carries in relief of Tomlinson.

WR Eric Parker, Rec: 4 - 42 - 0 (4 targets)

Parker had a quietly good game, as he caught all four of his targets and managed to get extra yards after the catch on most of them. He led all San Diego wide receivers in yardage.

WR Vincent Jackson, Rec: 3 - 39 - 1 (4 targets)

Jackson caught three of his four targets, including a five yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He used his superior height to snag the ball in the back left corner of the end zone over the much shorter Darrent Williams.

WR Malcom Floyd, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Floyd was targeted on two straight plays in the second half, the later of which he caught for a seven yard gain.

WR Keenan McCardell, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets)

McCardell only had one catch in the game. He was Rivers’ target on the interception that was returned for a touchdown by Darrent Williams.

TE Antonio Gates, Rec: 5 - 48 - 0 (6 targets)

Gates was Rivers’ favorite target, but saw five of his six looks in the second half. His only target in the first half was tipped at the line and intercepted by Nick Ferguson. It was clear that San Diego wanted to get Gates more involved in the game in the second half. Gates caught all of his second half looks and finished first on the team in receptions and second in yardage.

TE Brandon Manumaleuna, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (1 targets)

Manumaleuna caught a pass for a one yard gain on the Chargers opening drive of the game.

PK Nate Kaeding 0 - 0 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 5 points

Kaeding make all five of his PATs.

SD Rush Defense

The Chargers’ rush defense gave up 158 yards on 35 carries, for a 4.15 average. Denver’s Mike Bell scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. The rush defense tightened up in the second half, as the only gave up 47 yards after halftime. It was an adequate performance considering San Diego was missing linebacker Shawn Merriman and lineman Luis Castillo.

SD Pass Defense

San Diego’s pass defense was excellent. The only allowed Jake Plummer to throw for 183 yards and didn’t give up any touchdowns. Drayton Florence had a huge interception late in the game, picking off a Jake Plummer pass intended for Rod Smith on a fourth down attempt. Ryon Bingham and Shaun Phillips both had a sack each, with Phillips’ sack coming on the last play of the game. The sack forced Plummer to fumble, and the ensuing Broncos’ recovery didn’t allow enough time for another play to be executed. Safety Marlon McCree left in the first half with an apparently nasty knee injury, but surprised everyone by returning to play after halftime.

QB Jake Plummer, Pass: 13 - 28 - 183 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 8 - 0

Plummer had another tough game as the Broncos’ signal caller. He only managed 183 yards on 46% passing. Plummer was off target throughout the game. He overthrew Walker several times on deep routes that would have gained large chunks of yardage. The lack of a successful passing game allowed the San Diego defense to focus on stopping the run, which they managed to do in the second half. Plummer’s interception late in the fourth quarter was costly, as the Broncos were in need of a first down on a fourth down play. Instead, the Chargers got the ball back, scored, and won the game.

RB Mike Bell, Rush: 20 - 90 - 2, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (4 targets)

Bell got the starting nod with Tatum Bell inactive with his injured toes. Mike Bell did well with his opportunity, gaining 90 yards on 20 carries and two second quarter rushing touchdowns (both from three yards out). He also caught two of the four passes thrown his way.

RB Damien Nash, Rush: 10 - 52 - 0, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (5 targets)

Nash saw his first extended action of the season, as he and Mike Bell were the only active halfbacks for Denver. He did well with his touches, gaining 52 yards on the ground and 36 yards through the air. Nash had the longest run of the game for 26 yards early in the second quarter. He appears to fit the Broncos’ running scheme well, and could be a solid contributor were he higher on the depth chart.

RB Kyle Johnson, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0

Fullback Johnson had one second quarter rush for seven yards.

RB Cecil Sapp, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0

Fullback Sapp had a huge kickoff return to start the second half. If he were faster, he would’ve scored a touchdown on it. Sapp’s big return gave Denver great field position and led directly to Jason Elam’s 42 yard field goal. He also had one run for a one yard early in the fourth quarter.

WR Javon Walker, Rec: 4 - 68 - 0 (9 targets)

Walker led the Broncos in targets, receptions, and yardage. He was targeted numerous times deep, but Plummer usually overthrew him.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (5 targets)

All of Smith’s looks came in the second half. He was the target for Plummer’s late game interception.

WR Brandon Marshall, Rec: 1 - 33 - 0 (3 targets)

Marshall had one catch, and it was the Broncos’ longest of the game, for 33 yards. He was also targeted deep late in the game but couldn’t quite haul in the one-handed catch. Marshall dropped a pass in the first half.

TE Stephen Alexander, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Alexander had one catch late in the game.

PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Elam made all three of his PATs and both of his field goals, from 42 and 38 yards.

DEN Rush Defense

The rush defense played well in the first half, but ultimately gave up a huge game to LaDainian Tomlinson. Overall, they allowed 125 yards and three touchdowns. They forced no turnovers and didn’t make any critical stops in the second half.

DEN Pass Defense

The pass defense started well, intercepting Philip Rivers in the first half and allowing no scores. The second half was a different story, as Rivers threw two touchdowns and finished with 222 yards passing. Darrent Williams ran back a second half Rivers’ interception for a touchdown. Ebenezer Ekuban had Denver’s lone sack of the game.