Broncos vs. Chargers 2013 results: Peyton Manning leads Denver to 8th win of the season

San Diego closed the gap after the Broncos took a big lead, but it was too little too late against Manning’s historic season.

by Kenneth Arthur

Nov 11, 2013, 12:26 AM UTC

Kevork Djansezian

Part Of

Broncos vs. Chargers 2013, Week 10: Live coverage, score updates and more

see all updates

The Denver Broncos are the best second-place team in the NFL, and that means they can't afford a single slip-up this season, especially against AFC opponents. Though things got closer than Peyton Manning and company would have liked on Sunday, the Broncos beat the Chargers, 28-20, in San Diego to improve to 8-1.

Manning was his usual dominating self, throwing for 330 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, now giving him 33 touchdown passes through nine games. That is tied for the most ever through nine games with Tom Brady’s 2007 season, when he threw a record 50 touchdowns.

Manning is on pace to throw for over 58 touchdowns.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is having his own career year, but he was more contained on Sunday. Rivers threw for 218 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the loss, as the Chargers fell to 4-5 on the year. That doesn't take them out of the Wild Card races, however, as the New York Jets still lead the second AFC Wild Card race with just a 5-4 record.

The Broncos keep pace with the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs, but remain in second place for at least one more week.

Fantasy Studs and Duds

Manning, as usual, is a stud. Moreover, he found Demaryius Thomas in the end zone three times. Tight end Julius Thomas had 96 yards and a touchdown of his own. Things were less fun if you started Eric Decker or Wes Welker, both of whom had fewer than 60 yards and no touchdowns.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had 59 rushing yards and a touchdown but Antonio Gates was held to 62 yards and no scores.

Injury Report

With the game effectively over, Manning was hobbling around with less than two minutes left. Manning has been dealing with two sore ankles recently, but he did not come out of the game.

Chargers FB Le'Ron McClain, LB Larry English and T King Dunlap all left the game with injuries and did not return.