Royal's Two Touchdown Returns Sends Denver Past San Diego 34-23

NFL News - October 20th, 2009 - Written by Scott

Monday night's game featuring the Denver Broncos and the San Diego Charges was a crucial game in the AFC West. The Chargers were looking to avoid their third loss of the 2009 NFL Season and send them three games back behind the Broncos. Eddie Royal was electrifying on special teams and propelled the Broncos past San Diego 34-23. The speedy wide receiver became only the 11th player in NFL history to return both a kick off and a punt for a touchdown in the same game. The Broncos have now improved to 6-0 on the year, the first time since 1998 when they won their second straight Super Bowl. Royal credited his supporting cast for the two returns for touchdowns.

"You've got to believe it can happen before you do it," he said. "I've got a lot of faith in the guys in front of me, so I wasn't surprised."

Special teams played a huge part in the outcome of the game. The Chargers had a long drive late in the first quarter, but managed only a field goal. Royal took the kick off and ran it back 93 yards to give the Broncos a 7-3 lead. Vincent Jackson would then score on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to put the Charges back in the lead 10-7. After Matt Prater connected on a 34 yard field goal to tie the score at 10, the Broncos would halt the Chargers on the next drive. This set up Royal's second return of the night as he fielded the San Diego punt and returned it 71 yards to put Denver back in the lead 17-10. Nate Kaeding would add a 44 yard field goal with 2:19 remaining in the half to bring the Chargers within four. After stopping the Broncos on their next drive, Darren Sproles followed in Royal's footsteps and returned a punt 77 yards to put the Chargers ahead 20-17 heading into half time.

Kaeding would connect on another field goal midway through the third quarter to put San Diego ahead 23-17. Denver would finally get their first offensive touchdown of the game as quarterback Kyle Orton found Tony Sheffler on the first of his 2 touchdown passes from 19 yards out to put the Broncos ahead for good 24-23. Denver would add another field goal from Prater and a 5 yard touchdown pass by Orton to Brandon Stokley to give Denver a 34-10 win. Orton finished the game with 229 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rivers had 274 yards passing and 1 touchdown on the night and realizes that the Chargers could be in trouble, as far as their playoff hopes are concerned, if they do not break out of their 2 game losing slump

"It's going to be tough," Rivers said. "We have to get over this one quick or we'll find ourselves in trouble in Kansas City because it's a short week."

Take a look at Week 7 NFL Betting Lines to find out what teams go head to head and who is expected to walk away with a win.

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