Broncos vs. Chargers: San Diego's Biggest Winners and Losers from NFL Week 6

The San Diego Chargers were 30 minutes of slightly below average football away from beating the Denver Broncos and taking a two-game lead in the AFC West heading into their bye week.

Instead, quarterback Philip Rivers imploded, and Peyton Manning turned back the clock to finish off the biggest comeback in Monday Night Football history with a 35-24 victory over the Chargers.

While it may be tough to draw any positives out of such a deflating game, there are certainly a few areas that the Chargers can build on. However, this team must simply do better if it plans on ending its postseason drought.

Here are the Chargers' biggest winners and losers from Monday night's loss.

Winner: Antonio Gates

San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates easily had his best game of the year. His two touchdowns took the zero out of that stat column, and his six catches for 81 yards were also season highs.

There is no question that Gates is still quarterback Philip Rivers' favorite target. But no one knew how the departure of wide receiver Vincent Jackson would affect his production this season.

Until Monday night, the outlook couldn't have looked more dismal.

Now that Rivers and Gates seem to be on the same page, it will be interesting to see if the tight end can keep the momentum going after the bye week.

Loser: Philip Rivers

When a loss sits squarely on one's shoulders, the term "loser" isn't quite enough to accurately describe how that person feels. But that is exactly what Philip Rivers must be experiencing right now.

Building a 24-0 halftime lead can be attributed to Rivers, but so can the fact that the Denver Broncos were able to rattle off 35 unanswered points to emerge victorious on Monday Night Football.

Rivers turned the ball over six times in the loss.

Let the questions begin whether or not the quarterback is capable of leading this team now and in the future.

Winner: Ryan Mathews

Running back Ryan Mathews had a very average day in terms of production. His 93 total yards on 26 touches will not win many fantasy football matchups, but it will help prove that he is getting healthy.

Mathews has had a tough time staying on the field in his three years in the NFL. So when he actually does play, his statistics typically take a back seat to everyone wondering if he will be able to just finish the game.

While injuries are very fluky at times, it is very encouraging to see the talented running back receive a heavy load tonight out of the backfield. 

Loser: Norv Turner

It's a wonder after several years of being on the cusp and never finishing the job that San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner is still employed by the organization. And after Monday night's 35-24 loss to the Denver Broncos, it's beyond amazing that he will still be cashing checks this time next week.

While Turner is not on the field making plays—or not making plays, depending on your perspective—it is the head coach's job to put the team in the position to win. With a 24-0 lead at halftime, it shouldn't have been that difficult to do.

It seems that Turner is always on the hot seat. It is games like this that get coaches fired. 

Winner: Quentin Jammer

Quentin Jammer's 80-yard interception return for a touchdown is the type of play that teams rally around, especially when it gives them a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Instead, the San Diego Chargers wound up losing Monday night to the Denver Broncos. But Jammer is certainly not to blame.

In addition to the cornerback's pick-six, Jammer made a couple of tackles and batted down another pass.

While game situations dictated that Denver throw the ball a lot, Jammer did his part in trying to deny the comeback.

Loser: The Fans

How do you feel as a fan knowing that it is borderline impossible for your favorite team to squander a 24-point lead at halftime?

Now how do you feel knowing that it actually happened?

San Diego Chargers fans have been teased for years by having a talented group to cheer for that has never been able to get over the hump.

Monday night's 35-24 loss to the Denver Broncos is the ultimate slap in the face. Fans should be outraged at the result.

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