Turnovers power Chargers to romp

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS

San Diego’s defense gave Peyton Manning another night to forget.

The Chargers picked off the four-time league MVP four times, returning two for scores, as they handed Indianapolis its most lopsided home loss in the Manning era, 36-14, on Sunday night.

The last time the Colts lost by this much at home was Sept. 14, 1997, when Seattle won 31-3.

San Diego (6-5) won its fourth straight and kept pace in the AFC West race, one game behind Kansas City.

The Colts (6-5) lost their second straight but are still tied with Jacksonville for the AFC South lead, and it was every bit as ugly as the score appeared. Fans started leaving en masse when the Colts committed their fourth of five turnovers, Javarris James’ fumble early in the fourth quarter.

Manning finished 31 of 48 for 285 yards with two TDs and has thrown seven interceptions in the last two weeks — the most over any two week span in his 13-year NFL career. Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne walked off the field after getting hurt with 2:45 to go, and the Colts finished with only 24 yards rushing.

The Chargers defense, meanwhile, was stifling.

Kevin Burnett returned Manning’s first pick 29 yards for a score. Eric Weddle matched that with a 41-yard return in the third quarter that broke open the game. And the Chargers shut out Indy for the final 30 minutes.

Philip Rivers was 19 of 23 for 185 yards with no touchdowns and, most important, no interceptions.