Broncos Fall To Chargers With DeCamillis In Interim Coach Role

SAN DIEGO (CBS4) - After a dismal first three quarters, the Broncos offense seemed to wake up in the fourth quarter in San Diego.

A costly penalty, a sack and a fumble in three consecutive plays mostly ruined their comeback chances.

The Broncos fell to the Chargers 21-13 Thursday night and spoiled Joe DeCamillis's time in the spotlight as the team's interim head coach for a week with Gary Kubiak at home recovering from a migraine attack.

The Broncos were down 19-3 at the end of the third quarter and on their first possession of the fourth the Chargers got a safety when Denver committed a holding penalty in the endzone.

But then quarterback Trevor Siemian got hot and the Broncos scored after an 11-play drive. The drive culminated in a Siemian touchdown toss to Bennie Fowler.

Denver got the ball again with 5:45 on the clock and began another drive. After five productive plays it looked like C.J. Anderson had scored, but the score was called back due to an offensive holding penalty against offensive lineman Russel Okung.

On the next play Siemian was sacked. And then Demaryius Thomas fumbled the ball after a reception and the Chargers recovered.

Another Broncos drive near the end of the game also came up short of the endzone but there was a glimmer of hope when the Broncos recovered an onsides kick after Brandon McManus' second field goal of the night. Siemian's Hail Mary pass on the last offensive play of the game was knocked down by a Chargers defender.

The Broncos will face the Chargers again this month. They play a home game against San Diego on Oct. 30.