Rivers passes Fouts in victory
Philip Rivers threw for 178 yards and one touchdown, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to become San Diego’s career passing leader, and the Chargers held off the Denver Broncos 21-13 on Thursday night.
The victory may have saved embattled coach Mike McCoy’s job. The Chargers (2-4) were coming off a mistake-filled loss at Oakland, and earlier in the season lost three games in which they led at the 2-minute warning. There has been increasing fan discontent with the conservative McCoy, and the Chargers are trying to convince voters to approve a $1.1 billion public handout for a new downtown stadium in the form of an increase in the hotel occupancy tax.
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos were coached by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after Gary Kubiak was ordered by doctors to sit this one out because of a migraine condition that mimics strokes.
The five-time defending AFC West champion Broncos (4-2) were mostly sluggish behind Trevor Siemian, who was back at quarterback after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in a loss to Atlanta. They lost their second straight game and had their NFL-record 15 straight divisional road victories snapped.
The Chargers snapped their streak of 10 straight divisional losses dating to 2014.
Panthers: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton practiced for the second straight day, another indicator the league’s reigning MVP will likely play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Newton missed Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering a concussion in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 2. Newton has struggled this season, but playing New Orleans could prove to be a perfect elixir. Newton has thrown 10 touchdown passes and one interception in his last three games against the Saints.
Washington: Coach Jay Gruden said that tight end Jordan Reed has been diagnosed with a concussion. Reed missed his second straight practice.
Miscellany: Fulton Walker, the first player to score on a Super Bowl kickoff return, has died at the age of 58 in his hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia. The Miami Dolphins said Walker died Wednesday of an apparent heart attack. Walker scored for the Dolphins on a 98-yard kickoff return in the 1983 Super Bowl.
Browns: Cody Kessler’s back in the saddle. Cleveland is hoping he can stay in it a while. Kessler has recovered enough from an injury to his chest and ribs to start Sunday’s game at Tennessee, a relief to the Browns, who have already started three quarterbacks and played five in five games.
Dolphins: Rookie guard Laremy Tunsil said he expects to play Sunday after missing last week’s game when he hurt himself coming out of the shower. Tunsil said he sprained his right ankle hours before the start of Sunday’s 30-17 loss to Tennessee. “I walked out the shower and slipped,” he said. “Things happen. That’s the only thing I can say. Things happen.”