Broncos...39 Chargers...38

DENVER -- Jay Cutler hit rookie Eddie Royal over the middle for a two-point conversion with 29 seconds left to give the Denver Broncos a 39-38 win over the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers (0-2) lost in the final seconds for the second straight week.

Trailing, 38-31, the Broncos (2-0) reached the one. But on second and goal, the ball slipped out of Cutler’s hands and was recovered by linebacker Tim Dobbins. In a disputed call, referee Ed Hochuli blew his whistle, ruling it an incomplete pass. Two plays later, Cutler hit Royal for the touchdown to make it 38-37.

Instead of going for the tie, Coach Mike Shanahan kept his offense on the field and Cutler again hit Royal in the end zone.

The game also featured a Broncos-record 18 catches by Brandon Marshall.

Quoteworthy: “You don’t play this game to tie. You play this game to win.” -- Michael Pittman, Broncos fullback