March 29, 2024

Manning’s three TDs spur Broncos’ comeback

SAN DIEGO (AP) — It took a quarterback the caliber of Peyton Manning to pull off this kind of comeback.

Manning threw three touchdown passes in the second half and Tony Carter and Chris Harris scored off turnovers by Philip Rivers as the Denver Broncos overcame a 24-0 halftime deficit to stun the San Diego Chargers 35-24 on Monday night.

Manning was 13 of 14 for 167 yards in the second half for the Broncos (3-3) who tied the Chargers (3-3) atop the AFC West.

It tied for the fourth-greatest regular-season comeback in NFL history.

“It sure was special considering what was on the line,” said Manning, a four-time NFL MVP and one-time Super Bowl winner who’s in his first season with the Broncos.

Manning had been 1-5 in his last six games against San Diego, all with Indianapolis.

Rivers was intercepted four times — three in the fourth quarter — and lost two fumbles. A week earlier, the Chargers blew a 10-point lead in the third quarter in a 31-24 loss at New Orleans.