Broncos 30, Chargers 23
Peyton Manning added to his record-setting career with three touchdown passes and Denver held off visiting San Diego.
Manning's first scoring pass, a 13-yarder to Demaryius Thomas moved him into second place all-time in career passing touchdowns with 421, passing Brett Favre. Manning also moved into a tie for second place with his 148th victory as a starting quarterback as the Broncos took a three-game lead in the AFC West and swept the season series.
An opportunistic defense kept the Chargers (4-6) in the game. San Diego took a 7-0 lead when Eric Weddle returned Manning's interception 23 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. Shaun Phillips sacked Manning in the end zone for a safety to trim the deficit to 17-9 early in the third quarter.
But Denver (7-3) was equally stout defensively. The Broncos blocked a punt with less than a minute remaining in the first half and Manning hit Brandon Stokley wide open in the end zone with a 31-yard touchdown pass to give Denver a 17-7 lead.
Manning spread the wealth around, connecting with Eric Decker on a 20-yard touchdown pass to make 24-9 midway through the third quarter. He finished 2-of-42 for 270 yards passing.
Turnover-plagued Philip Rivers threw a pair of scoring passes to Danario Alexander but he also threw two more interceptions. Rivers has 43 turnovers in his last 26 games.
Game notebook: Broncos running back Willis McGahee hurt his right knee early in the second quarter when he was tackled by San Diego defensive back Quentin Jammer. McGahee did not return. He finished with 55 yards on seven carries. ... Ronnie Hillman ran for 43 yards in place of McGahee. ... Ryan Mathews led San Diego's ground game with 47 yards on 15 carries.