The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Philip Rivers tied his career high with four touchdown passes and the San Diego Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 35-14 on Monday night for their third straight victory.

While Rivers did it on a season-low 233 yards, San Diego’s defense, led by linebacker Shaun Phillips, settled in and harassed Denver’s Kyle Orton after he led an easy opening scoring drive.

Patrick Crayton scored on a 40-yard catch-and-run late in the second quarter, hurting his left wrist as he fell into the end zone, and speedy little Darren Sproles had a 57-yard catch-and-run early in the third.

The four-time defending AFC West champion Chargers (5-5) even pulled off a fake punt, a remarkable accomplishment considering the special teams gaffes that contributed to a 2-5 start.