text: Bolts impressive, but result inevitable | UTSanDiego.comMay 30, 2015Today's PaperWeather 65º FTrafficSurfWebcamsSubscribe/LoginNewsLocal TopicsCommunitiesNorth CountyNationWorldWatchdogObituariesDroughtClose ␡NewsStill running the marathon at age 92BusinessBiotechEconomyEnergyFinanceReal Estate & GrowthRetailTechnologyTourismClose␡BusinessAre Amazon's shopping buttons for you?VideoNewsSportsBusinessEntertainmentFeaturesWatchdogMilitaryMoreClose ␡MilitaryWomen in CombatSpecial report:San Diego's fleetU-T in AfghanistanWWIIClose ␡MilitaryPeralta's family to accept Navy CrossDeals & OffersDaily DealsContestsNewspaper AdsEventsGuidesSD Best PollStoreClose ␡U-T Offers$17 for Blue Mirror Aviators with Polarized LensesReal EstateHomes for SaleNew HomesRentalsOpen HomesU-T Certified ServicesMortgagesCommunitiesOpen House ShowClose ␡RealEstateJim Carmichael joins Keller Williams El Cajon officeSportsChargers / NFLPadres / MLBAztecsTorerosChargers StadiumSoccerHigh School / PrepsHorse RacingClose ␡sportsChris Watt looks part as Chargers centerEntertainmentEventsDiscoverSDDining & DrinkingMusicLifestylePerforming ArtsArts & CultureThings To DoClose ␡EntertainmentStory behind Stones' secret concertMarketConnectHealthLifestyleHome ImprovementReal EstateEntertainmentBusinessEnergyTechnologyClose ␡MarketConnectHelping your garden grow: Choosing a palm treeOpinionEditorialsCommentaryLetters to the EditorSteve BreenSteve Breen Caption ContestClose ␡OpinionSan Diego's infrastructure neglect makes drought even worseClassifiedsJobsMerchandiseLegalPetsPlace an AdObituariesClose ␡CarsSell Your CarBuy a CarResearch CarsFinanceFind a DealerClose ␡⌂SportsChargers / NFLBolts impressive, but result inevitableBy Kevin Acee6:50 p.m.Nov. 10, 2013⎙ Print Comments
  Vincent Brown drops this long pass in the second quarter that would have been a TD as Kayvon Webster defends. — Sean M. HaffeyShare PhotoReddit✉
  Vincent Brown drops this long pass in the second quarter that would have been a TD as Kayvon Webster defends. — Sean M. HaffeyReddit✉-CommentsCoaches walked from player to player offering wisdom designed to further the growing process. Rookies and veteran players alike spoke of improvement as much as disappointment. The mood in the postgame locker room was subdued, not despondent.You might not want to hear it, but you should have expected this result. Afterward, the Chargers accepted it."We know we're getting better," rookie linebacker Manti Te'o said. "We wish the results could be different. We've got to work and make sure that as we're improving as a team it's reflected in the score."Don't take that as the Chargers being okay with losing. They are not. They believe, in fact, victories in these types of games will come sooner than they have any right to. But they also sense the larger picture."I have more confidence, more belief than ever coming away from this game," veteran safety Eric Weddle said.The Chargers did well to get to Sunday with a .500 record. But already deficient and increasingly depleted, with the difficult part of their schedule upon them, it's plain to see where this is headed.This is what happens when not-quite-good meets too-good.Chargers-Broncos 11/10/2013View Gallery
  Philip Rivers takes a punch to the face from the Broncos Von Miller in the 4th quarter.
  Vincent Brown drops this long pass in the second quarter that would have been a TD as Kayvon Webster defends..
  Chargers Head Coach Mike McCoy motions to the field in the 4th quarter.
  Ryan Mathews breaks loose on a 45 yard run in the second quarter as Mike adams and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pursue him. .
  Philip Rivers is forced from the pocket in the second quarter. .
  Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning shake hands after the Broncos defeated the Chargers 28-20.
  Ronnie Brown goes up high on this 5 yard run in the first quarter. .
  Ronnie Brown goes up high on this 6 yard run in the first quarter. .
  Ryan Mathews breaks loose on a 45 yard run in the second quarter as Mike adams and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie pursue him. ..
  Danny Woodhead carrying Broncos with him on this 5 yard second quarter run. .
  Philip Rivers is sacked in the third quarter.
  Nick Novak misses this 37 yard FG in the second quarter. .
  Peyton Manning calling plays in the third quarter..
  Peyton Manning under pressure from Cam Thomas and Corey Liuget in the third quarter. .
  Peyton Manning connects with Demaryius Thomas on a 34 yard TD in the third quarter. .
  Antonio Gates beats Chris Harris Jr. on this 24 yd pass play in the 4th quarter.
  Peyton Manning on the run as the Chargers try to track him down in the third quarter.
  Peyton Manning is sacked and fumbles in the third quarter. The ball is recovered by Donald Butler.
  Montee Ball lunges forward on this running play in the 4th quarter. .
  Philip Rivers is sacked for a three yard loss in the 4th quarter. .
  Philip Rivers sacked for a three yard loss in the 4th quarter. .
  Danny Woodhead is stopped a the goal line in the 4th quarter as Danny Trevathan and Rahim Moore defend.
  Ryan Mathews lunges for this 1 yard TD play in the 4th quarter. .
  Peyton Manning notches the win over the Chargers 28-20. .
  Danny Woodhead looks to stretch this 6 yard pass play out in the 4th quarter. .
  Philip Rivers can only watch as time runs out in the 4th quarter..
  Peyton Manning grimaces in pain as he falls to the ground in the 4th quarter. .
  Danny Woodhead in for a 7 yard touchdown on a pass from Philip Rivers in the third quarter. .
  — Sean M. HaffeyShare GalleryReddit✉Peyton Manning could have been cited for speeding early in Sunday's game. Then he stalled. Ultimately, though, the Chargers ran out of gas, and the Denver Broncos held on for a 28-20 victory in front of a Qualcomm Stadium crowd that was tinted orange."We came up a little short," rookie offensive tackle D.J. Fluker said. "We have a ways to go."Chargers scene 11/10/2013View Gallery
  Chargers Cheerleaders during the game.
  Peyton Manning in the tunnel under the stadiium prior to entering the field. .
  Charger fans taking in the 28-20 loss to the Broncos. .
  Peyton Manning is swarmed by the media following the Broncos win over the Chargers. .
  — Sean M. HaffeyShare GalleryReddit✉A simple poet, that kid.What the Chargers (4-5) did in grinding Sunday's game to a halt was almost as impressive as the result was inevitable.They simply don't have the horses to run with the Broncos (8-1).The Chargers did some really good things in the midst of doing some really, really dreadful things.Such flashes of being solid getting overtaken by sloppiness is indicative of a team that has a ceiling. The Chargers offense, as it has done more often than not, moved the ball in chunks despite once again losing multiple linemen. They even gave the ball to Ryan Mathews at the 1-yard line, and he scored – if you can believe it! – to make it a one-score game in the fourth quarter.On defense, there was decent pass rush at times, some physical and instinctual plays by Donald Butler, even some instances of excellent coverage. But it so often felt like just a matter of time until Manning would carve up the Chargers with a prescient pass to one of his plentiful targets. Like being awake during surgery and waiting for the anesthesia to wear off.As the Chargers offense was controlling the clock and racking up yards but failing to get in the end zone, Manning passed for 32.4 yards per minute in the first half (243 total yards while having the ball just 7½ minutes).Chargers v. Broncos, 11/10/13 Broncos fast start dooms ChargersChargers report card: Broncos stampedeAcee: Chargers impressive at times, but result inevitableCanepa: Not as bad as we thought, but still a loss"Chargers-Broncos quarter by quarter Instant analysis: Pass D too lackingEx-Bolts aid Broncos winChargers ForumThe Chargers' plan to control the clock was brilliant, except that its execution fell short of the end zone, the Chargers settling for two field goals and missed another in the first half.Page:12➡ -CommentsBe relevant, respectful, honest, discreet and responsible. Commenting RulesRecommendedTrending The story behind the Rolling Stones' private concert at the Belly Up in Solana BeachChris Watt looks part as Chargers centerStadium quest not over, just startingSan Diego State beats UCSB 4-3 on steal of home by Steven Pallares. Page 2 of 2San Diego weekend events for May 29 to 31, 2015Connect with The San Diego Union-TribuneSign Up for Email Alerts⬆NewsSportsBusinessEntertainmentVideoMilitaryOpinionU-T OffersClassifiedsReal EstateCarsThe San Diego Union-TribuneAbout UsContact UsStoreAdvertise with UsJob OpportunitiesFrequently Asked QuestionsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseSubscription Information & PoliciesNewspaper in EducationConnect with The San Diego Union-TribuneSign Up for Email AlertsHelpCustomer ServiceManage SubscriptionVacation StopQuick LinksAppsMobileE-editionGuidesArchivesBuy PhotosBusiness ListingsSpecial Ad SectionsForumsCrosswordSudokuHoroscopeGas PricesLotteryWSRadioThe San Diego Union-TribuneUpgrade your browsing experience with a paid subscription to The San Diego Union-Tribune.SubscribeQUICK JYLLION SEARCHES:• frito lays• amazon under armour• benefit high beam highlighter• coffee makers• gifts for her© 1995-2015 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC | All Rights Reserved | 350 Camino de la Reina, San Diego, CA 92108