Chargers Pull Out Surprising Win Over Broncos; NFL, College News

Chargers Shock Broncos In Denver

(Denver, CO) -- Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen connected for two touchdowns to help the Chargers pull out a surprising, 27-20 win over the Broncos at Mile High. San Diego finds itself in the thick of the playoff race for the second wild card spot in the AFC at 7-7. Ryan Mathews rumbled for 127 yards on 29 carries and reached the end zone.  Rivers completed 12-of-19 passes for 166 yards with the two TD passes. Peyton Manning threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, but had a crippling interception in the fourth quarter.  Andre Caldwell was on the receiving end of both TD tosses. Knowshon Moreno was held to 19 yards on eight carries.  Denver fell to 11-3 with its first loss at home.

Cutler To Start Sunday For Bears

(Lake Forest, IL) -- Jay Cutler is returning to the Chicago Bears lineup this weekend. Head coach Marc Trestman says the quarterback has been medically cleared and will be under center when the Bears play Browns in Cleveland. Cutler took all the first-team reps in practice Thursday for the first time in more than a month. He missed the last four games with a high left ankle sprain suffered November 10th against the Lions.

Bears Battle Browns In Cleveland

(Cleveland, OH) -- The Chicago Bears will try to maintain their playoff push Sunday as they battle the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bears snapped a two-game losing streak with a resounding 45-28 win over Dallas on "Monday Night Football." They are tied with Detroit atop the NFC North at 7-6, but the Lions own the tiebreaker having swept the season series.

Rams Prepare For Saints

(Earth City, MO) -- Rams' rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin remains day to day after suffering an ankle injury in last Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.  Austin has not practiced this week, but his status is still up in the air for Sunday. The Rams will host the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints at Edward Jones Dome. Kick-off has been moved to 3:25 p.m. in FOX's national doubleheader as part of the NFL's "flexible scheduling."

Pitt's Donald Big Winner At Awards Ceremony

(Lake Buena Vista, FL) -- Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald was the big winner at the college football awards ceremony Thursday at Disney World in Florida. Donald took home the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player and the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman. He also grabbed the Lombardi Trophy and Nagurski Trophy.   

Thursday, December 12 Scoreboard

NFL

San Diego Chargers 27, Denver Broncos 20