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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Bill Romanowski was a yard away from the first
touchdown of his 12-year NFL career when he fumbled.
He managed to recover in the end zone, then ended up in a wild
celebration with his defensive mates, slapping them and letting
them slap him.
|  | | Denver's Rod Smith makes the reception depsite the defensive efforts of San Diego's Michael Dumas. |
"It was one of those days where the ball was bouncing the right
way," the linebacker said after the Denver Broncos' 33-17 win over
the bumbling San Diego Chargers. "It was nice to have it happen to
us."
Romanowski's slapstick touchdown seemed to set the tone. The
Broncos forced four turnovers that led to 17 points as they beat
their AFC West rivals for the fifth straight time.
"I give him an A-plus," defensive end Neil Smith said. "He's
got to learn how to put it away at the end. But you get an A-plus
any time you make it in there. That's a win for our defense."
Denver's offense, lacking its marquee players due to John
Elway's retirement and injuries to Terrell Davis and Shannon
Sharpe, did all right.
Rookie running back Olandis Gary scored twice and rushed for 108
yards, the first time in 27 games that San Diego allowed a 100-yard
runner. The last back to do it was Davis, who rushed for 178 yards
in a 38-28 Broncos win here on Nov. 30, 1997.
Jason Elam kicked four field goals for the Broncos (3-6), who
were down to third-string quarterback Chris Miller, seeing his
first action in nearly four years. The Chargers (4-4) have followed
a three-game winning streak with a three-game losing streak in
which they've been outscored 98-20.
"For them to win this game, that's a big surprise to me,"
Chargers linebacker Junior Seau said. "When you have a Denver
Bronco team without major components of their game, you should
perform at a higher level."
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GAME NOTES |
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Freddie Jones' touchdown catch was San Diego's first TD in
13 quarters and just the Chargers' ninth offensive TD this year.
The Chargers have not scored first in a game this season.
Jason Elam's two PATs gave him 252 straight, moving him past Eddie Murray and into sole possession of second place on the career list. Norm
Johnson tops the list with 276 straight PATs.
Chargers LB Gerald Dixon broke his left hand, RB Terrell Fletcher hurt his
right shoulder and LB Eric Hill sprained his left foot, all in the
first half. None of the players returned.
Broncos LB David
Bowens was ejected for spearing Harbaugh in the fourth quarter.
This is the fourth time in five years the Chargers have been at
.500 after eight games.
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But the reason for San Diego's slump is clear.
Tory James intercepted Jim Harbaugh in the end zone on the final
play, making it 18 turnovers for the Chargers in their last four
games. Sixteen of them have been by Harbaugh and fellow quarterback
Erik Kramer.
On Sunday, it was Romanowski's interception of Harbaugh in the
second quarter and receiver Chris Penn's two fumbles in the second
half that buried the Chargers.
Romanowski made a leaping interception at the 18, bobbled the
ball, stumbled a bit and returned it to the 1, where he was hit by
Harbaugh and tackle John Jackson and fumbled. He recovered in the
end zone for a 10-0 lead 1:40 into the second quarter.
"It'd be nice if it deflected and dropped down on the ground
for a change," said Harbaugh, whose scrambling rallied the
Chargers.
Penn's first fumble, after a reception, set up Gary's 23-yard
scoring run that gave Denver a 20-3 lead with 8:28 left in the
third quarter.
Harbaugh threw a 7-yard TD pass to Freddie Jones and a 44-yarder
to Charlie Jones, sandwiched around Elam's 41-yard field goal, to
pull the Chargers to 23-17 with 9:17 left.
After San Diego's defense held the Broncos with just under eight
minutes to go, Penn fumbled a punt after calling for a fair catch,
with Denver's Detron Smith recovering at the San Diego 38. That
turnover set up Elam's 24-yarder.
"That last one was a killer because we had the momentum and we
could have gone ahead," Penn said. "I take responsibility."
Gary scored on a 5-yard run with 1:56 to go after the Chargers
lost the ball on downs.
Elam also kicked field goals of 44 and 55 yards.
Miller, starting because Brian Griese and Bubby Brister are
hurt, completed 14 of 24 passes for 166 yards and no interceptions.
He hadn't played since Dec. 3, 1995, when he suffered the final of
a series of concussions that forced him out for the next three
seasons.
Miller was sacked five times, but said it felt good to take
hits.
"I was hoping I'd get the opportunity to play because it's been
a long time," Miller said. "I got excited and that carried over
into the game. After the game, my bundle of emotions let go. It was
a very special moment."
Gary said Miller "played a great game. Now we can build on
that."
"It was great from a confidence standpoint," Gary added. "Now
we know we can do it. That was one of the best defenses in the
league. Our offensive line wore them down."
Harbaugh, in his first start since Oct. 3, was 25-of-39 for 235
yards. John Carney kicked a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter for San Diego's first points.
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ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard
Denver Clubhouse
San Diego Clubhouse
Week 9 wrap-ups
Week 9 infirmary report
TJ's Take: Jaguars back in gear
Week 9 PrimeTime Players
Week 9 stats leaders
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