First Quarter: Broncos, Chargers Fight For AFC West Lead

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(Sports Network) - LaDainian Tomlinson and Mike Tolbert scored rushing touchdowns and Nate Kaeding kicked four field goals, as San Diego downed Denver, 32-3, to win its fifth straight game and overtake the Broncos for first place in the AFC West.

The Chargers offense was less than spectacular with Philip Rivers throwing for 145 yards and a touchdown on 17-of-22 attempts, although, the ground game carried much of the load in the second half after a 20-3 lead was built up in the third quarter.

Of the 348 yards produced, 203 were of the rushing variety with Tomlinson accounting for 73 and Tolbert 58 as the Chargers (7-3) avenged a Week 6 loss to Denver that seemed to dampen their hopes of a fourth consecutive division title.

Heading in the other direction are the Broncos (6-4), who have lost each of their four games since beating San Diego, 34-23, to begin the season 6-0 for a seemingly comfortable division lead.

Denver’s quarterback situation took center stage early on as Chris Simms made his first start in over three years for the injured Kyle Orton but proved ineffective.

Orton, who severely sprained his left ankle in last week’s loss to Washington, was summoned late in the second quarter and limped his way through the rest of the game, completing 15-of-29 passes for 171 yards with an interception. Simms was just 2-of-4 for 10 yards, but lost a fumble in the red zone on Denver’s opening drive.

Knowshon Moreno rushed 10 times for 80 yards and also lost a fumble in the end zone stretching for the goal line in the first half. Brandon Marshall had just three catches for 26 yards and appeared to be confrontational during the game with both Orton and Moreno.