Rivers leads Chargers to 21-13 victory against Broncos
SAN DIEGO — Philip Rivers threw for 178 yards and one touchdown, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to become San Diego’s career passing leader, and the Chargers held off the Denver Broncos 21-13 on Thursday night.
The victory may have saved embattled coach Mike McCoy’s job . The Chargers (2-4) were coming off a mistake-filled loss at Oakland, and earlier in the season lost three games in which they led at the 2-minute warning. There has been increasing fan discontent with the conservative McCoy, and the Chargers are trying to convince voters to approve a $1.1 billion public handout for a new downtown stadium in the form of an increase in the hotel occupancy tax.
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos were coached by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after Gary Kubiak was ordered by doctors to sit this one out because of a migraine condition that mimics strokes.
The five-time defending AFC West champion Broncos (4-2) were mostly sluggish behind Trevor Siemian, who was back at quarterback after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in a loss to Atlanta. They lost their second straight game and had their NFL-record 15 straight divisional road victories snapped.
The Chargers snapped their streak of 10 straight divisional losses dating to 2014.
Rivers, in his 13th season with the Chargers and 11th as starter, has 43,094 career yards passing. Fouts threw for 43,040 yards in 15 seasons with the Bolts.
Rivers threw a 5-yard scoring pass to rookie tight end Hunter Henry to cap the game’s first possession. Rivers finished 18 of 29.
Otherwise, the Chargers had to settle for Lambo’s career-high four field goals, of 37, 21, 31 and 32 yards.
LATE-FIRING BRONCOS: Denver didn’t get across the 50 on its own accord until there were just 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Denver’s first score came after a punt bounced off San Diego’s Travis Benjamin and the Broncos recovered at the San Diego 11. The refs initially ruled that the Broncos downed the punt, but Denver challenged and got the ball. Brandon McManus kicked a 29-yard field goal.
Siemian was 30 of 50 for 230 yards, with a 5-yard scoring pass to Bennie Fowler midway through the fourth quarter.
McManus kicked a 46-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, and Denver recovered the onside kick at its 46. It got to the San Diego 45 with eight seconds to go before Siemian’s desperation pass was batted down by Dexter McCoil.
DEFENSIVE STAND: The Broncos were threatening at the San Diego 20 with less than 5 minutes to go. But on consecutive plays they were whistled for holding, Siemian was sacked by rookie Jatavis Brown and San Diego’s Craig Mager recovered a fumble by Demaryius Thomas.
RIVERBOAT MIKE: McCoy went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 20 early in the second half, with Melvin Gordon going over the top for a 1-yard gain. Rivers misfired on two straight passes and was flushed on third down, forcing the Chargers to settle for Lambo’s 37-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. McCoy improved to 25-31 overall in four seasons.
NEW HOLDER: Veteran backup quarterback Kellen Clemens took over as holder for the Chargers after rookie Drew Kaser’s misadventure at Oakland on Sunday. Kaser mishandled the snap on a potential tying field goal with 2:07 left in the 34-31 loss. Kaser, who also shanked a punt, kept his job as punter but lost his job as holder.
ANTHEM WATCH: Chargers players Joe Barksdale, D.J. Fluker, Chris Hairston, Joshua Perry and Tyreek Burwell held up their right fists during the national anthem.
INJURIES: Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa was having his right hand worked on by the trainers after Denver’s first drive. He was back in for the next Broncos possession. … Broncos WR Cody Latimer left with a concussion in the second quarter. … Gordon limped off the field early in the fourth quarter. He had his right ankle taped and returned on San Diego’s next possession.
From left to right, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, with defenders Axel Sjoberg and Marc Burch celebrate as time runs out in the second half of an MLS soccer game against the San Jose Earthquakes, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Joshua Perry (53) and teammates tackle Joe Barksdale (72), offensive guard D.J. Fluker (76), and offensive tackle Chris Hairston raise a fist during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) works against Denver Broncos tight end John Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Dexter McCluster is brought down by Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, right, and cornerback Aqib Talib, left, during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers kicker Josh Lambo kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Dancers perform in honor of Hispanic Heritage during halftime in an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) works against Denver Broncos tight end John Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is brought down by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart, left, and cornerback Chris Harris during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Dancers perform in honor of Hispanic Heritage during halftime in an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) tries to strip the ball from San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) as he runs upfield during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Dancers perform in honor of Hispanic Heritage during halftime in an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is brought down by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart, above, and cornerback Chris Harris during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) works against Denver Broncos tight end John Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin, left, is hit by Denver Broncos cornerback Kayvon Webster (36) during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon runs upfield with the ball as Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) tries to strip the ball from San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) as he runs upfield during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) makes a touchdown catch as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is brought down by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs with the ball as Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett defends during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos interim head coach Joe DeCamillis, center, looks on before an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) warms up before an NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. The Chargers won, 21-13. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian stands on the field after the team’s NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. The Chargers won 21-13. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, greets Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, right, after an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. The Chargers won, 21-13. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager, center, reacts after picking up a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game as Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian back left, passes by Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) motions before starting a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos interim head coach Joe DeCamillis looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, left, reacts with teammate outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers walks near the sideline during the second half of the team’s NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. The Chargers won 21-13. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, is brought down for a sack by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, above, defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) and defensive end Jared Crick during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. The Chargers won 21-13. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is hit by San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Jatavis Brown as free safety Dwight Lowery looks on during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker, bottom, is brought down by San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager, above, and free safety Dwight Lowery during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is brought down by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart, left, and cornerback Chris Harris during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is brought down by Denver Broncos free safety Darian Stewart, above, and cornerback Chris Harris during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
The San Diego Chargers cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)