NFL game summary for 10/07/1979:
Safety Bill Thompson recorded a key fumble recovery and two interceptions as Denver earned a share of first place in the AFC West. Thompson's 26-yard fumble return preceded a three-yard touchdown run by quarterback Norris Weese in the third quarter. San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts, who completed 27 of a career-high 45 passes for 305 yards, hit wide receiver Charlie Joiner seven times for 115 yards.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 126.8 (19) | 191.8 (12) | 318.6 (12) | 9 |
| DEFENSE | 121.8 (9) | 167.8 (14) | 289.6 (9) | 14 | |
 | OFFENSE | 122.2 (22) | 194.2 (11) | 316.4 (13) | 10 |
| DEFENSE | 98.0 (1) | 205.6 (25) | 303.6 (13) | 4 |
Line: Chargers by 2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Chargers (4-2-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Denver Broncos (4-2-0) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
( 0- 7) DEN Norris Weese 3 yard rush (Jim Turner kick)
SD DEN
First Downs: 19 11
Rushes-yards: 26-69 34-160
Yards/rush: 2.7 4.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 27-45-305-3 8-14-66-0
Sacked-yards: 0-0 4-33
Net pass yards: 305 33
Net yards/pass: 6.8 1.8
Total net yards: 374 193
Total plays: 71 (36% run) 52 (65% run)
Yards/play: 5.3 3.7
Fumbles-lost: 3-1 3-1
Turnovers: 4 1
Penalties-yards: 4-34 7-52
Attendance: 74,997
Passing:
SD: Dan Fouts, 27 of 45 for 305 yards (3 int) DEN: Norris Weese, 6 of 11 for 35 yards; Craig Morton, 2 of 3 for 31 yards
Rushing:
SD: Clarence Williams, 13 for 29 yards; Mike Thomas, 6 for 27 yards; Dan Fouts, 3 for -1 yards; Artie Owens, 2 for 10 yards; Bo Matthews, 1 for 3 yards; Hank Bauer, 1 for 1 yard DEN: Otis Armstrong, 9 for 78 yards; Norris Weese, 7 for 54 yards and 1 TD; Larry Canada, 5 for 10 yards; Jim Jensen, 4 for 10 yards; Rob Lytle, 4 for 9 yards; Jon Keyworth, 3 for 4 yards; Craig Morton, 2 for -5 yards
Receiving:
SD: Charlie Joiner, 7 for 115 yards; Clarence Williams, 6 for 41 yards; Kellen Winslow, 4 for 53 yards; John Jefferson, 4 for 48 yards; Bob Klein, 3 for 20 yards; Artie Owens, 2 for 23 yards; Mike Thomas, 1 for 5 yards DEN: Riley Odoms, 2 for 29 yards; Jon Keyworth, 2 for 14 yards; Otis Armstrong, 1 for 9 yards; Rick Upchurch, 1 for 7 yards; Jim Jensen, 1 for 4 yards; Haven Moses, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 2 for 36 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Mike Fuller, 3 for 17 yards; Mike Williams, 1 for 10 yards DEN: Rick Upchurch, 2 for 23 yards
Interceptions:
DEN: Bill Thompson, 2 for 40 yards; Joe Rizzo, 1 for 25 yards
Punting:
SD: Jeff West, 4 for 169 yards DEN: Luke Prestridge, 7 for 350 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Roy Gerela, 0/3
SD: Dan Fouts, 27 of 45 for 305 yards (3 int) DEN: Norris Weese, 6 of 11 for 35 yards; Craig Morton, 2 of 3 for 31 yards
Rushing:
SD: Clarence Williams, 13 for 29 yards; Mike Thomas, 6 for 27 yards; Dan Fouts, 3 for -1 yards; Artie Owens, 2 for 10 yards; Bo Matthews, 1 for 3 yards; Hank Bauer, 1 for 1 yard DEN: Otis Armstrong, 9 for 78 yards; Norris Weese, 7 for 54 yards and 1 TD; Larry Canada, 5 for 10 yards; Jim Jensen, 4 for 10 yards; Rob Lytle, 4 for 9 yards; Jon Keyworth, 3 for 4 yards; Craig Morton, 2 for -5 yards
Receiving:
SD: Charlie Joiner, 7 for 115 yards; Clarence Williams, 6 for 41 yards; Kellen Winslow, 4 for 53 yards; John Jefferson, 4 for 48 yards; Bob Klein, 3 for 20 yards; Artie Owens, 2 for 23 yards; Mike Thomas, 1 for 5 yards DEN: Riley Odoms, 2 for 29 yards; Jon Keyworth, 2 for 14 yards; Otis Armstrong, 1 for 9 yards; Rick Upchurch, 1 for 7 yards; Jim Jensen, 1 for 4 yards; Haven Moses, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 2 for 36 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Mike Fuller, 3 for 17 yards; Mike Williams, 1 for 10 yards DEN: Rick Upchurch, 2 for 23 yards
Interceptions:
DEN: Bill Thompson, 2 for 40 yards; Joe Rizzo, 1 for 25 yards
Punting:
SD: Jeff West, 4 for 169 yards DEN: Luke Prestridge, 7 for 350 yards
Field Goals:
SD: Roy Gerela, 0/3