1ST QUARTER: CHARGERS 14, BRONCOS 0
Key play: It was all about field position for the Chargers, who drove 44 and 54 yards for their two TDs. The biggest play was by punter Mike Scifres, who lofted a perfect punt that Kassim Osgood caught at the 6. Denver was unable to advance the ball and after a punt the Chargers needed just four plays to score their first TD.
Key stats: Philip Rivers was 5-of-6 for 97 yards and a TD. Antonio Gates caught four passes for 62 yards and the TD.
Not in the box score: The Chargers scored their second TD on a version of the fumblerooskie, with Philip Rivers taking the snap and putting it between Lorenzo Neal's legs. While Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson ran to the right, Neal ran left and bulled his way into the end zone.
2ND QUARTER: CHARGERS 28, BRONCOS 3
Key play: It might not have made any difference given the margin between the two teams, but what if Tatum Bell had not stepped out of bounds 24 yards from completing what would have been a 76-yard touchdown run?
Key stat: Rivers finished the half with a perfect 158.3 passer rating after completing 11-of-13 attempts for 180 yards and two TDs (both to Gates). Denver's Jay Cutler was 4-of-11 for 36 yards.
Not in the box score: The Chargers also outscored the Broncos 28-3 in the last 20:10 of the game in Denver, meaning that in slightly more than 50 minutes between the teams, San Diego had a 56-6 advantage.
3RD QUARTER: CHARGERS 28, BRONCOS 20
Key play: It was one thing to allow a 71-yard touchdown drive early in the quarter, but the Chargers really lost their momentum when rookie Antonio Cromartie fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Denver's Louis Green recovered at the San Diego 27. Three plays later, the Broncos were back in the game (down 28-17) on Jay Cutler's second TD pass in 48 seconds to fellow rookie Tony Scheffler.
Key stat: After being outgained 273-131 in the first half, the Broncos had 148 yards in the third quarter while the Chargers were held to 39.
Not in the box score: Going back to games against Oakland (7-0) and Buffalo (14-0), the Chargers have been outscored 38-0 in the third quarter of their last three games.
4TH QUARTER: CHARGERS 48, BRONCOS 20
Key play: Before Tomlinson could score the two TDs he needed to break the NFL single-season record, the Chargers had to slow Denver's momentum. They did it on the first play of the quarter when Vincent Jackson made an over-the-shoulder catch of a pass from Rivers for a 55-yard gain. That set up a Nate Kaeding field goal and got the Chargers' lead back to double digits.
Key stat: The day belonged to Tomlinson, but Rivers finished 15-of-23 for 279 yards, two TDs and a career-high 136.0 rating.
Not in the box score: In addition to setting the TD record, Tomlinson tied an NFL record with his seventh straight multi-TD game and became the first Charger to have eight 100-yard rushing games in the same season.
