NFL game summary for 10/03/1976:
Rick Upchurch got his third punt return touchdown in the last two games and Jim Turner booted four of five field goal attempts as the Broncos recorded their first shutout since 1971. Upchurch's 92-yard run for a TD was the longest in Denver history and the longest in the NFL in 1976. Denver's win coupled with Oakland's loss to New England threw the AFC West into a three way tie ? Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders all with 3-1 records.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 222.7 (2) | 192.0 (8) | 414.7 (2) | 2 |
| DEFENSE | 122.0 (7) | 151.0 (11) | 273.0 (8) | 13 | |
 | OFFENSE | 140.3 (16) | 169.7 (12) | 310.0 (15) | 6 |
| DEFENSE | 97.7 (2) | 124.0 (6) | 221.7 (4) | 7 |
Line: Broncos by 7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Chargers (3-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos (3-1-0) | 0 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 26 |
( 0- 3) DEN Jim Turner 47 yard field goal ( 0-10) DEN Rick Upchurch 92 yard punt return (Jim Turner kick) ( 0-13) DEN Jim Turner 25 yard field goal ( 0-16) DEN Jim Turner 36 yard field goal ( 0-23) DEN Lonnie Perrin 1 yard rush (Jim Turner kick) ( 0-26) DEN Jim Turner 27 yard field goal
SD DEN
First Downs: 12 17
Rushes-yards: 27-88 44-141
Yards/rush: 3.3 3.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 14-27-153-2 10-17-186-1
Sacked-yards: 1-1 2-16
Net pass yards: 152 170
Net yards/pass: 5.4 8.9
Total net yards: 240 311
Total plays: 55 (49% run) 63 (69% run)
Yards/play: 4.4 4.9
Fumbles-lost: 2-1 1-1
Turnovers: 3 2
Penalties-yards: 5-38 7-56
Attendance: 62,486
Passing:
SD: Dan Fouts, 12 of 25 for 142 yards (2 int); Neal Jeffrey, 2 of 2 for 11 yards DEN: Steve Ramsey, 9 of 16 for 179 yards (1 int); Norris Weese, 1 of 1 for 7 yards
Rushing:
SD: Don Woods, 11 for 46 yards; Rickey Young, 8 for 22 yards; Mercury Morris, 4 for 7 yards; Bo Matthews, 2 for 6 yards; Sam Scarber, 1 for 4 yards; Dan Fouts, 1 for 3 yards DEN: Otis Armstrong, 23 for 91 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 9 for 17 yards and 1 TD; Mike Franckowiak, 8 for 18 yards; Jim Kiick, 2 for 13 yards; Steve Ramsey, 1 for 6 yards; Haven Moses, 1 for -4 yards
Receiving:
SD: Charlie Joiner, 5 for 105 yards; Don Woods, 3 for 20 yards; Rickey Young, 2 for 9 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 7 yards; Chuck Bradley, 1 for 7 yards; Bo Matthews, 1 for 4 yards; Pat Curran, 1 for 1 yard DEN: Mike Franckowiak, 3 for 31 yards; Riley Odoms, 2 for 57 yards; Rick Upchurch, 1 for 57 yards; Jack Dolbin, 1 for 14 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 11 yards; Otis Armstrong, 1 for 9 yards; Jim Kiick, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 3 for 71 yards; Ralph Perretta, 1 for 4 yards DEN: Rick Upchurch, 1 for 34 yards
Punt returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 2 for 100 yards and 1 TD; Steve Foley, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Mike Williams, 1 for 35 yards DEN: John Rowser, 1 for 29 yards; Randy Gradishar, 1 for 3 yards
Punting:
SD: Mitch Hoopes, 6 for 264 yards DEN: Billy Van Heusen, 2 for 72 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Toni Fritsch, 0/1 DEN: Jim Turner, 4/5
SD: Dan Fouts, 12 of 25 for 142 yards (2 int); Neal Jeffrey, 2 of 2 for 11 yards DEN: Steve Ramsey, 9 of 16 for 179 yards (1 int); Norris Weese, 1 of 1 for 7 yards
Rushing:
SD: Don Woods, 11 for 46 yards; Rickey Young, 8 for 22 yards; Mercury Morris, 4 for 7 yards; Bo Matthews, 2 for 6 yards; Sam Scarber, 1 for 4 yards; Dan Fouts, 1 for 3 yards DEN: Otis Armstrong, 23 for 91 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 9 for 17 yards and 1 TD; Mike Franckowiak, 8 for 18 yards; Jim Kiick, 2 for 13 yards; Steve Ramsey, 1 for 6 yards; Haven Moses, 1 for -4 yards
Receiving:
SD: Charlie Joiner, 5 for 105 yards; Don Woods, 3 for 20 yards; Rickey Young, 2 for 9 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 7 yards; Chuck Bradley, 1 for 7 yards; Bo Matthews, 1 for 4 yards; Pat Curran, 1 for 1 yard DEN: Mike Franckowiak, 3 for 31 yards; Riley Odoms, 2 for 57 yards; Rick Upchurch, 1 for 57 yards; Jack Dolbin, 1 for 14 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 11 yards; Otis Armstrong, 1 for 9 yards; Jim Kiick, 1 for 7 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 3 for 71 yards; Ralph Perretta, 1 for 4 yards DEN: Rick Upchurch, 1 for 34 yards
Punt returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 2 for 100 yards and 1 TD; Steve Foley, 1 for 11 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Mike Williams, 1 for 35 yards DEN: John Rowser, 1 for 29 yards; Randy Gradishar, 1 for 3 yards
Punting:
SD: Mitch Hoopes, 6 for 264 yards DEN: Billy Van Heusen, 2 for 72 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Toni Fritsch, 0/1 DEN: Jim Turner, 4/5