football as Rivers was about to release it. Linebacker Corey Nelson, making his first career start in place of Brandon Marshall (hamstring), scooped up the ball and returned it to the San Diego 22. Ware was making his first start since breaking his right forearm in Week 2.

"I thought that play was a sack," Miller said. "That's right in his backyard, legendary. Take a couple of weeks off and he's right back like he's never missed a step."

DAWDLING DENVER : A week after holding Houston to three-and-outs on its first two drives, Denver's dawdling defense again surrendered a touchdown on its first series. That makes six times in eight games the Broncos have allowed a TD on an opponent's first drive.

UP NEXT: After snapping a 10-game AFC Westskid with a 21-13 win over Denver 17 days earlier, the Chargers lost for the eighth straight time on the road in the division. Now, they host Tennessee next week, starting a stretch of four consecutive non-division games.

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Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton