SAN DIEGO -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the San Diego Chargers' 22-10 loss to the Denver Broncos.
Novak owns up to mistakes: Kicker Nick Novak had missed just one field goal all season, but had a 46-yarder tipped and a 37-yard attempt bounce off of the left upright. Although punter Mat McBriar held for Novak for the first time this season, Novak said the holds were fine and he should have made both kicks.
“You’re not going to get any excuses out of me,” Novak said.
The first miss occurred in the second quarter with the Chargers trailing 6-0. Denver defensive lineman Derek Wolfe got a piece of the ball, and Novak’s 46-yard attempt fell well short. The Chargers trailed 9-0 in the third quarter when Novak bounced his attempt off the left upright. Novak did make his 100th career field goal, a 30-yarder, against the Broncos.
“Every time you have the ball, it matters,” Novak said. “You can’t do that in these types of games.”
A sea of orange: For a second straight game, visiting fans filled large sections of Qualcomm Stadium, filling the stadium with cheers for the Broncos when Denver made big plays. Peyton Manning threw a football into a crowd of Broncos fans as he left the stadium after his team’s win. The Chargers ended their home slate of games on a sour note, finishing 5-3 at Qualcomm this season.
“The crowd’s the crowd,” Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. “Wish there were less Broncos fans obviously -- a lot more than you’d like to have at home. I’m trying to win a football game. I can’t control the crowd."
Injury update: A physical game played by both teams was reflected in San Diego’s injury report. Donald Butler left the second quarter with an elbow injury and did not return. Keenan Allen went to the locker room in the second half to be evaluated for an ankle injury, and did not return. D.J. Fluker had to be treated for an unknown injury after the game.
