Sports News

NFL: Denver 34, San Diego 24

(Boxscore)
Published: Oct. 20, 2009 at 12:13 AM

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Kyle Orton threw two second-half touchdown passes Monday and Denver produced five quarterback sacks in rallying to a 34-24 victory over San Diego.

The Broncos are unbeaten in six outings and increased their lead in the AFC West to 3 1/2 games. Minnesota, Indianapolis and New Orleans are the only other unbeaten teams remaining in the NFL.

There were four lead changes, two punt returns for touchdowns and a kickoff return for a score -- all in the first half.

San Diego (2-3) owned a 20-17 halftime lead and increased it when Nate Kaeding kicked a 50-yard field goal midway through the third period. Those were the first points Denver had allowed during the second half in five games and they were the last points the Broncos gave up to the Chargers Monday.

Denver went in front for good at 24-23 when Orton led the Broncos 77 yards in nine plays and hit Tony Scheffler with a 19-yard scoring pass with 3:43 left in the third period. Matt Prater then kicked his second field goal of the game from 29 yards and the Broncos clinched it when Orton threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley with 2:55 to play.

Denver's Eddie Royal returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score and then brought a punt return back 71 yards for another touchdown. San Diego's Darren Sproles contributed a 73-yard punt return that gave the Chargers the lead the lead with 1:03 to go in the second quarter.

It was the first game in NFL history that included a punt return for a score by both teams along with a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Orton completed 20-of-29 passes for 229 yards.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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