The Denver Broncos have taken a 14-0 lead into the halfway stage of their divisional playoff match against the San Diego Chargers this evening.
The Broncos took the lead late in the first quarter after the Chargers had missed an opportunity to intercept an earlier Peyton Manning pass.
The veteran quarterback took full advantage of the let-off and fired a two-yard pass to the front of the endzone, where Demaryius Thomas just about caught it before falling back over the white line.
The Chargers missed a chance to reduce the deficit in the second quarter when Nick Novak slipped on his run up to a field goal, causing him to send his effort well off target.
Once again, Manning capitalised on the error ruthlessly, looping a three-yard pass over to Wes Welker, who had a simple task of stepping over the line for the touchdown.
Neither side could find another score before half time as the Broncos look to be on course to face the New England Patriots in next Sunday's AFC championship game.
Barney Corkhill
