Chargers shut down both Broncos' QBs to grab control in AFC West San Diego 32, Denver 3 It didn't matter which quarterback the Denver Broncos threw out there Sunday. The surging San Diego Chargers bottled up both the rusty Chris Simms and the hobbled Kyle Orton. Philip Rivers and a dominant defense led the Chargers into sole possession of first place in the AFC West with a 32-3 drubbing of the Denver Broncos, who couldn't move the ball effectively behind either QB Sunday. "We were ready for Simms and Orton," Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman said. The Chargers (7-3) have won five straight and the Broncos (6-4) have dropped four in a row, turning the division race upside-down. Just five weeks ago, the Chargers trailed the Broncos by 3½ games. The balance of power in the AFC West couldn't have shifted in a more dramatic fashion. Rivers was a crisp 17 for 22 and he led San Diego to scores on seven of 10 drives. Nate Kaeding kicked four field goals and the Chargers also recovered an onside kick, recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers. The Broncos? They were flagged nine times to San Diego's one. And Marcus Thomas blocked an extra point in the final minute. Orton, who finished 15 of 29 for 171 yards and an interception, while playing almost exclusively out of the shotgun, was called upon when the Broncos decided to ditch their game plan down 13-0 and go to the air. Orton said he had no setbacks despite a scary hit on his injured leg from Merriman, and would be able to practice this week and start Thursday night against the New York Giants. Simms last started on Sept. 24, 2006, when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was battered so badly by the Carolina Panthers that he needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen. This one was painful in its own way. The biggest blind-side hit came not from the Chargers but his own coach. Simms never saw the quick hook coming. "I wasn't expecting it," Simms said. "Yeah, I guess I was a little surprised." Game notes Broncos S Brian Dawkins (neck) missed the second half. The Broncos didn't know the extent of his injury. ... Chargers RT Jeromey Clary was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury.
What a sad story the Broncos are, with the start they had, beating the Pats in the process, then go on a losing streak. Great job to the Chargers though, they deserve lot of credit.
