It was over when ...
Peyton Manning's fourth-down pass slipped through the fingers of tight end Dallas Clark with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. The Chargers twice held the Colts on fourth down in the closing minutes of the game to seal the victory.
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| Streeter Lecka / Getty Images |
| Darren Sproles was one of several backups to help the Chargers upset the Colts. |
Game ball
The Chargers used a lineup typically reserved for the second half of preseason games to win. Quarterback Billy Volek, in for the injured Philip Rivers, completed 3 of 4 passes for 48 yards and scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard sneak. Darren Sproles, who along with Michael Turner subbed for the injured LaDainian Tomlinson, had a 56-yard touchdown reception at the end of the third quarter. Defensively, Shawne Merriman didn't have a sack but blew up the Colts fourth-and-goal attempt with 2:01 left in the fourth quarter.
Key stat
Peyton Manning completed 33 of 48 passes for 402 yards, but the Chargers made the key plays against him when it counted, including two interceptions. The Chargers intercepted Manning eight times in two games this season, and Antonio Cromartie had four of them.
Noteworthy
Tomlinson left the game with a bruised knee in the second quarter and did not play in the second half. Rivers was injured on his touchdown pass to Sproles at the end of the third quarter. ... ... Marvin Harrison played for the first time in 11 games but sat out the fourth quarter after aggravating his injured knee. ... This was the final game to be played in the RCA Dome, which is scheduled for demolition in the spring. Lucas Oil Stadium, a retractable roof facility, will home the Colts next season.
