od shape.Ryan started every game in his 2008 rookie season, missed two starts with a toe injury in 2009 and hasnt missed another game.You have to do a really good job of taking care of your bo

SAN DIEGO -- Music blared louder than normal in the San Diego Chargers locker room, and there was a sense of relief Thursday night after a victory over the Denver Broncos.The Chargers had actually finished.Philip Rivers threw for 178 yards and one touchdown, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts to become San Diegos career passing leader, and the Chargers held off the Broncos 21-13.The victory may have saved embattled coach Mike McCoys job .The Chargers (2-4) were coming off a mistake-filled loss at Oakland, and earlier in the season lost three games in which they led at the 2-minute warning. There has been increasing fan discontent with the conservative McCoy, and the Chargers are trying to convince voters to approve a $1.1 billion public handout for a new downtown stadium in the form of an increase in the hotel occupancy tax.There is nothing like winning, a misty-eyed McCoy said. Especially beating a good football team in front of are home fans. It was great.The victory meant a ton for Mike, Rivers said. It wasnt talked about a lot on the team but veteran players ... I felt it. Not that I expected it if it didnt go well. I had no idea but you also you are not playing dumb. We knew we had to get this thing going in a hurry.The Broncos had the ball in the final seconds, but the Chargers -- who had two turnovers on special teams -held.You cant take winning for granted in this league, defensive end Corey Liuget said. When I saw it said 0:00 and that guy didnt catch that ball, I was happy as hell. I got on my damn knee and said, `Thank you Lord. Its over now.What changed from those brutal losses, when the Chargers blew late leads?It was a mindset for us to go out there and finish, and everyone knew we were going to finish this game, LiThe defending Super Bowl champion Broncos were coached by special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis after Gary Kubiak was ordered by doctors to sit this one out because of a migraine condition that mimics strokes.You have to give them credit, DeCamillis said. We know it would be a tough game because they have played a lot of close games and not won.The five-time defending AFC West champion Broncos (4-2) were mostly sluggish behind Trevor Siemian, who was back at quarterback after rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in a loss to Atlanta. They lost their second straight game and had their NFL-record 15 straight divisional road victories snapped.The Chargers snapped their streak of 10 straight divisional losses dating to 2014.Rivers, in his 13th season with the Chargers and 11th as starter, has 43,094 career yards passing. Fouts threw for 43,040 yards in 15 seasons with the Bolts.Rivers threw a 5-yard scoring pass to rookie tight end Hunter Henry to cap the games first possession. Rivers finished 18 of 29.Otherwise, the Chargers had to settle for Lambos career-high four field goals, of 37, 21, 31 and 32 yards.LATE-FIRING BRONCOS: Denver didnt get across the 50 on its own accord until there were just 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Denvers first score came after a punt bounced off San Diegos Travis Benjamin and the Broncos recovered at the San Diego 11. The refs initially ruled that the Broncos downed the punt, but Denver challenged and got the ball. Brandon McManus kicked a 29-yard field goal.Siemian was 30 of 50 for 230 yards, with a 5-yard scoring pass to Bennie Fowler midway through the fourth quarter.McManus kicked a 46-yard field goal with 27 seconds left, and Denver recovered the onside kick at its 46. It got to the San Diego 45 with eight seconds to go before Siemians desperation pass was batted down by Dexter McCoil.DEFENSIVE STAND: The Broncos were threatening at the San Diego 20 with less than 5 minutes to go. But on consecutive plays they were whistled for holding, Siemian was sacked by rookie Jatavis Brown and San Diegos Craig Mager recovered a fumble by Demaryius Thomas.RIVERBOAT MIKE: McCoy went for it on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 20 early in the second half, with Melvin Gordon going over the top for a 1-yard gain. Rivers misfired on two straight passes and was flushed on third down, forcing the Chargers to settle for Lambos 37-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. McCoy improved to 25-31 overall in four seasons.NEW HOLDER: Veteran backup quarterback Kellen Clemens took over as holder for the Chargers after rookie Drew Kasers misadventure at Oakland on Sunday. Kaser mishandled the snap on a potential tying field goal with 2:07 left in the 34-31 loss. Kaser, who also shanked a punt, kept his job as punter but lost his job as holder.ANTHEM WATCH: Chargers players Joe Barksdale, D.J. Fluker, Chris Hairston, Joshua Perry and Tyreek Burwell held up their right fists during the national anthem.INJURIES: The Broncos said T Russell Okung was taken to a hospital with concussion-like symptoms. ... Chargers rookie DE Joey Bosa was having his right hand worked on by the trainers after Denvers first drive. He was back in for the next Broncos possession. ... Broncos WR Cody Latimer left with a concussion in the second quarter. ... Gordon limped off the field early in the fourth quarter. He had his right ankle taped and returned on San Diegos next possession.---Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL New Orleans Saints Shirts . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Custom New Orleans Saints Jerseys . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. https://www.saintsjerseyssale.com/ . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Saints Jerseys 2020 . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. New Orleans Saints Gear . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The opening question to Matt Ryans weekly news conference made the quarterback nervous.When he was asked about his long streak of consecutive starts, Ryan almost gasped.I have to find some wood to knock on first, Ryan said before adding, Thats the kiss of death.Ryan hasnt missed a start for the Atlanta Falcons in 105 consecutive regular-season games, a streak that began late in the 2009 season. Its the NFLs third-longest active streak for quarterbacks.On Sunday Ryan will be matched with the name immediately ahead of him on the list, San Diegos Philip Rivers, whose streak began in 2006 and reached 166 regular-season starts with last weeks win over Denver.Among active quarterbacks, Eli Manning leads the ironman list with his streak of 189 games, well behind Brett Favres record of 297.Rivers is known for his quick release, a skill which helps reduce hits from pass rushers.I just feel thankful Ive been blessed to be healthy enough to play, Rivers said Wednesday. ... I think all of us quarterbacks take a certain amount of pride in being tough and fighting through things to make sure you are out there for your team.Ryan said his secret is sleep -- at least nine hours per night.Theres no getting around it, sleep is the No. 1 most important thing, Ryan said Wednesday. Every study that you look at, every time you try to do any research on recovery, on training, whatever, any kind of performance-enhancing stuff, it all comes down to sleep.Ryan, 31, acknowledged it takes effort to maintain his sleep schedule.Youve got to force yourself to go to bed early, he said. Its just something Ive worked on throughout my career and Ive gottenn better and better.dddddddddddd Im an early to bed kind of guy and up early in the morning.Rivers, 34, had a good explanation for why he aims lower when it comes to sleep.I do think rest is important, but also I have eight children, Rivers said. In my mind, if I get over 6 hours, Im in good shape.Ryan started every game in his 2008 rookie season, missed two starts with a toe injury in 2009 and hasnt missed another game.You have to do a really good job of taking care of your body all year, Ryan said. It starts from when the season ends and its basically a never-ending process throughout the year of trying to take care of yourself and ensure youre going to be ready to take the pounding that comes with going through a season.Coach Dan Quinn said Ryan shines in his CT score for competes and toughs.Its when you throw a slant when the defensive end is right about to drill you and then you step into it and make it anyway, Quinn said. Thats why Matt has earned so much respect through the years, and Philip as well.Chargers coach Mike McCoy said Ryan and Rivers share a love for the game that helps to keep them on the field.Theyre competitors who truly love to go out and play the game, McCoy said. They work extremely hard. Ive known coaches who have coached Matt. Everyone says his work ethic, the way he loves the game, the way he prepares, thats the way Phillip is, too. They do it the right way, and thats what the great ones in the game do.---AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '