Charger Win Comes on a Tip

In a display more of grit than artistry, the San Diego Chargers jumped to a 20-7 lead over the Denver Broncos, then withstood a fourth-quarter comeback bid by the Broncos for a 20-17 win Sunday in front of a cold but raucous crowd of 65,395 at Qualcomm Stadium.

“We knew it was going to be a battle, and it certainly turned out to be that,” Charger Coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

The Chargers (9-3), closing in on their first playoff spot since 1995, took a two-game lead over the second-place Broncos (7-5) in the AFC West.

Charger quarterback Drew Brees completed five of 12 passes for 21 yards in the second half, when the Chargers’ only score was a 23-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding. Brees was 14 of 27 for 106 yards in the game.

Denver quarterback Jake Plummer completed 16 of 40 passes for 278 yards but had four interceptions.

“They had the yards, and we had the takeaways,” Schottenheimer said.

The final interception came late in the fourth quarter when Plummer tossed to streaking Rod Smith.

Cornerback Drayton Florence tipped the ball in the end zone, and free safety Jerry Wilson grabbed the interception for a touchback.

“I didn’t see the ball at all,” Florence said. “I just played his [Smith’s] eyes.”

After a 52-yard punt by the Chargers’ Mike Scifres, the Broncos got one more chance, but eight plays could not get them close enough for a field-goal attempt.

On the Broncos’ first possession of the game, a Plummer pass meant for Jeb Putzier was intercepted by Florence at the Denver 43.

Four plays later, Charger running back LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a five-yard run.

In the second quarter, the Broncos scored on a 16-yard run by Tatum Bell.

Tomlinson scored on a one-yard run, and Kaeding kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 17-7 halftime lead.

A four-yard touchdown by Bronco running back Reuben Droughns and a 31-yard field goal by Jason Elam, both in the fourth quarter, brought the Broncos to within a field goal.

“I thought the defense stepped up and made some plays, but when it was on the line, we couldn’t get it done,” Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said.