AP News
(2009-10-20 02:23:45)
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Denver's perfect start to the season continued with a 34-23 win over the San Diego Chargers on Monday, but rookie coach Josh McDaniels insists his unbeaten Broncos can get even better.
Eddie Royal returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns as Denver joined Minnesota as the NFL's only 6-0 teams. The win extended the Broncos' lead over San Diego (2-3) in the AFC West.
"We're far from perfect, we know that, there's a lot of football still to be played," McDaniels told reporters.
"We want to win every week. We're going to prepare hard every week and we want to keep it going."
Royal returned a kickoff for 93 yards and a punt for 71 yards for touchdowns as the Broncos rallied from 20-17 down at the half. The receiver became the first Bronco, and 11th NFL player, to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in the same game.
With San Diego leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Royal took a kickoff at the seven-yard line, burst through a big hole around the 35, cut inside at midfield and raced down the sideline for his first score of the night.
In the second quarter, with the score tied at 10-10, Royal fielded Mike Scifres' punt and outraced everyone to the end zone to give Denver a 17-10 lead.
Tony Scheffler caught a 19-yard pass from Kyle Orton in the third quarter for Denver's first offensive touchdown of the game. That put Denver ahead 24-23 before a Matt Prater field goal and a five-yard touchdown catch by Brandon Stokley sealed the win. Scheffler caught six passes for 101 yards.
San Diego's Darren Sproles returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown to give San Diego a 20-17 lead at halftime.
(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Peter Rutherford
