Chargers magical playoff run comes to an end

DENVER (01/12/2014) Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Keenan Allen caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to keep the San Diego Chargers' (10-8) season alive.

The Denver Broncos (14-3) cruised to a 24-17 win and will advance to the AFC Championship game where they'll host the New England Patriots next Sunday.

Under the protection of an offensive line that didn't allow a sack the entire game, Peyton Manning threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns earning his first postseason win as a Bronco.

After a three-yard touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno gave the Broncos a 24-7 lead with 7:38 left to play, Phillip Rivers connected with Allen for a 16-yard touchdown after going for it on 4th-and-5.

The Chargers recovered the ensuing onside kick, but ended up settling for a 30-yard field goal by Nick Novak to cut the Broncos' lead to 24-17.

With 3:53 left to play, the Chargers decided to put their trust in the defense instead of attempting another onside kick. Manning converted three third downs including a critical 3rd-and-17, allowing the Broncos to run out the clock.

The last time these teams met, the Chargers controlled the clock 38:49 to 21:11 while putting up 177 yards on the ground en route to a 27-20 win at Denver. This time the Broncos won the time of possession battle 35:27 to 24:33 and totaled 133 yards on the ground.

Big second half advances Chargers to AFC Divisional Round

 

CINCINNATI, OHIO (01/05/2014) The San Diego Chargers (10-7) will move on to the AFC Divisional Playoffs after knocking off the Cincinnati Bengals (11-6) 27-10 in an AFC Wild Card game at Paul Brown Stadium.

It was the first home loss of the season for the Bengals, who have not won a playoff game since 1990.

The Chargers drew first blood with a five-yard touchdown run by Danny Woodhead near the end of the first quarter.

Andy Dalton answered back with his first career postseason touchdown pass. The four-yard connection to tight end Jermaine Gresham tied the game 7-7 with 5:59 left in the first half.

At the closing seconds of the first half, kicker Mike Nugent nailed a 46-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 10-7 lead. Those would be the last points the Bengals put up this season.