Broncos 34 – Chargers 23: Final game notes

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers passes under pressure from Denver Broncos linebackers Robert Ayers (56) and Wesley Woodyard (59) during the first quarter of their Monday Night NFL football game in San Diego, California October 19, 2009. (REUTERS/Fred Greaves)

FINAL SCORE: BRONCOS 34, CHARGERS 23 • ATTENDANCE: 68,615

McDANIELS LEADS BRONCOS TO 6-0 START

With the win over the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football, Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels became the fourth rookie head coach in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to start 6-0. He joins Red Miller (1977) as only the second head coach in Denver history to win his first six games with the club.

ROYAL’S RETURN TOUCHDOWNS HELP FUEL DENVER

WR Eddie Royal became the second Bronco and just the 11th player in league history to record a kickoff return for a touchdown (93 yds. in first quarter) and a punt return for a touchdown (71 yds. in second quarter) in the same game. Royal is the sixth player to accomplish the feat since the 1970 NFL merger. Former Broncos HB Al Frazier had a kickoff return (90 yds.) and a punt return (55 yds.) for a score in the same game vs. Boston on Dec. 3, 1961.

Royal’s 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter was the ninth overall in club history and the first since CB Deltha O’Neal scored on an 87-yard kickoff return vs. New England on Oct. 1, 2000. His 71-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter was the 28th punt return for a score in team history and the first since WR Glenn Martinez scored on an 80-yard punt return vs. Tennessee on Nov. 19, 2007.

The two plays marked the eighth and ninth special-teams return touchdowns by a unit coached by Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer (4 KR, 4 PR, 1 Misc.).

DUMERVIL TAKES OVER NFL SACK LEAD

With two sacks (7 yds.) against the Chargers, OLB/DE Elvis Dumervil recorded his fourth multi-sack game of the season and took over the NFL lead with 10 sacks on the year. Dumervil, whose 36 sacks since his rookie season in 2006 are the fourth most in the NFL, has 11 career multi-sack games in the same span that represents the second-best mark in the league.

Dumervil finished five tackles (four solo) and a forced fumble (his second forced fumble of the season and ninth of his career).

DEFENSE DOESN’T ALLOW THIRD-DOWN CONVERSION IN SECOND HALF

The Broncos held the Chargers to 0-of-5 on third downs in the second half and have not allowed a third-down conversion by an opponent in the second half in their last four games (opponents are 2-for-35 on the season – 5.7%).

MISCELLANEOUS GAME NOTES

• CB André Goodman recorded his first career sack in the second quarter on a third down that led to Royal’s 71-yard punt return for a touchdown.
• CB Champ Bailey led all Denver defenders with seven tackles (all solo) to go along with a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
• TE Tony Scheffler (6 rec. 101 yds., TD) recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of his career (7-100, 1 TD at Hou., 12/13/07) and his second touchdown of the season in the third quarter to put the Broncos on top 24-23.
• QB Kyle Orton (20-of-29 for 229 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) finished with a passer rating of 115.4. It marked the third time this year he has recorded a passer rating of 100.0 or higher.
• San Diego finished with 73 rushing yards (3.5 avg.). Denver is the only team in the NFL that has not allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards this season.