carpe noctem

The San Diego defense caused five turnovers, including four interceptions, as Kevin Burnett and Eric Weddle each scored touchdowns in the Chargers’ fourth consecutive win.

SAN DIEGO – The Chargers are above .500 for the first time all season thanks to San Diego’s second consecutive road win.

Nate Kaeding kicked five field goals and two players returned Peyton Manning interceptions for touchdowns as the Chargers beat the Colts, 36-14, at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

The Chargers (6-5) kept pace with the Chiefs (7-4) in the AFC West and remain one game back.

Another efficient day for Philip Rivers and a strong performance by Mike Tolbert were overshadowed by a defense that intercepted Manning four times. Kevin Burnett and Eric Weddle each returned picks in San Diego territory for touchdowns and the run defense barricaded the line of scrimmage all game, limiting the Colts to 1.8 yards per carry.

San Diego struggled in three trips to the red zone, failing to convert a second-and-2, getting flagged for a 15-yard penalty and then taking a sack on third-and-goal from the 1. But the Chargers didn’t turn the ball over once and Kaeding made all five of his field goal attempts, including one from 50 yards.

Weddle, in close coverage on Reggie Wayne, snagged a throw in the third quarter as Wayne fell to the turf calling for a pass interference flag. Weddle scampered 41 yards down the left sideline and crossed into the end zone in nearly the same spot as Burnett did earlier in the game.

The touchdown gave San Diego its second two-score lead of the game. Manning completed 6-of-8 passes for 59 yards and a four-yard touchdown to tight end Jacob Tamme on the game’s opening possession and capped a two-minute drive with a six-yard strike to receiver Blair White just before halftime to draw within 16-14.

Tolbert, who topped 100 rushing yards for the second consecutive game, recorded the first offensive touchdown for San Diego with 11:26 left in the game.

Manning, who threw three interceptions against the Patriots last week, saw his total rise to seven in two games against an opportunistic Chargers defense that worked together well.

Stephen Cooper intercepted Manning on the first play of the second quarter after pressure by Antwan Barnes and Antoine Cason prevented a late Colts score by securing his fourth interception of the season in the end zone.

The Chargers prepared to fly back home to play critical division games against the Raiders and Chiefs in consecutive weeks. The win against the Colts improves San Diego to 5-2 against Indianapolis since 2005.

YUP WE’RE COMING BACK!