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The 23 points the Chargers scored on the Broncos Monday Night were the most Denver had allowed all season, and San Diego’s defense gave up just 20 points to Josh McDainiel’s offense.

But two plays against the Chargers’ typically-strong special teams units – a 93 yard kickoff return and 71-yard punt return by Denver’s Eddie Royal – proved detrimental in the Bolts’ 34-23 defeat to their division rivals Monday night at Qualcomm Stadium. 

“It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, what you’re playing, you give up two big returns for touchdowns like we did on the punt and kickoff, it makes it tough,” Head Coach Norv Turner said.  “It makes it real tough and it didn’t give us a chance to take advantage of some of the things we did extremely well.”

The Chargers took a 3-0 in the first quarter, but on the ensuing kickoff, Royal raced down the sideline and found daylight.  Then midway through the second quarter, what was a bit of a miss hit by punter Mike Scifres ended in Royal breaking loose along Denver’s sideline en route to the 71-yard score.

“Usually when you (hit a) poor punt it’s hard to set up a return,” Turner said.  “That was disappointing.” 

Royal became just the 11th player in NFL history to return both a punt and a kick for a touchdown in the same game.  San Diego’s Darren Sproles accomplished the feat in 2007, and Sproles’ 77-yard punt return for a touchdown Monday marked just the fourth time in NFL history that two teams had combined for three touchdowns in the return game.

Prior to Monday night, the Chargers hadn’t given up a kickoff return for a touchdown since Indianapolis’ Dominic Rhodes scored on an 88-yard runback on December 26, 2004. 

“It’s disappointing,” Turner said.  “That’s what we talk a lot about with our football team: you can’t take anything for granted.  We’ve been awfully good in our special teams, not only this year but in the history of this football team over the last period.  Guys take great pride in that.  We let one get away.” 

The Chargers put up 311 yards of total offense Monday night and had a halftime lead despite giving up the two return touchdowns.  In a game that was ultimately decided by 11 points, the 14 Denver got on Royal’s explosive plays proved paramount. 

“For most of the game it was a pretty good give and take,” Turner said.  “Both teams were able to make plays.  We got one return in the kicking game.  They got two.”