Philip Rivers retires: Photos from each of the Broncos' 30 games vs. the fiery foe
Before calling it quits after the 2020 season, quarterback Philip Rivers led a length and entertaining career mostly as one of the Broncos' most memorable rivals. Look back on each of those 30 career games with photos from our archive and that of the Associated Press.
31 DEC 2005: The Denver Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-7 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates
2006 NOV 19: The Denver Broncos were defeated by the San Diego Chargers 35-27 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Photo: Ryan McKee/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
03 December 2006: The Denver Broncos play the San Diego Chargers in week 14 NFL action at Quallcom Stadium in San Diego, CA. Trevor Brown, Jr./Rich Clarkson & Associates, LLC.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) calls out a play against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philip Rivers drops back to pass against the Broncos on November 22, 2009 at Invesco Field.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass during their football game Monday Dec. 24, 2007 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
John Engelberger sacks Philip Rivers in the second quarter of action against the San Diego Chargers at Invesco Field September 14, 2008
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers gets tackled by Denver Broncos defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson in the first quarter during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Elvis Dumervil sacks Philip Rivers on a fourth quarter play for a four yard loss in the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers October 19, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, right, after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos against the San Diego Chargers in the NFL game at Invesco Field in Denver,CO. January 2, 2011.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shouts to the bench between plays against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos Robert Ayers in second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers October 9, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO.
Denver Broncos Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil sack the quarterback during fourth quarter action against the San Diego Chargers November 27, 2011 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.
Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) sacks the quarterback and causes a fumble during fourth quarter action against the San Diego Chargers in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on September 30, 2012.
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) forces a fumble on San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during third quarter action against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) pulls on the jersey of quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during fourth quarter action against the San Diego Chargers in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on November 18, 2012.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers scrambles away from the Denver Broncos defense in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Nov. 10, 2013 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips (90) pressures San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) during second quarter action of the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Nov. 10, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) during second quarter action of the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday Nov. 10, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos Terrance Knighton (94) sacks San Diego Chargers Phillip Rivers (17) for a 3 yard loss during fourth quarter action in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego,CA November 10, 2013.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Sylvester Williams (92) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) during first quarter action of the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Dec. 12, 2013 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips (90) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) during first quarter action against the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on January 12, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on January 12, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) shakes hands with San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) after the game against the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on January 12, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) yells at Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, in Denver. The Broncos won 35-21. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) for a 2-yard loss during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 23, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks back at Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware (94) during third quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 23, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shake hands after action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, October 23, 2014.
Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) knocks the ball out of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' (17) hands during first quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA, December 14, 2014. The played was called an incomplete pass. Photo by Gabriel Christus
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, let, is sacked by the Denver Broncos defence during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Denver Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) hurries San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) forcing an interception during first quarter in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif. December 6, 2015. (© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray (56) tackles San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) after a scramble up the middle during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, January 03, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) for an 8 yard loss during third quarter action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, January 3, 2016. Photo by Ben Hays.
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) after action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO, January 3, 2016. Photo by Ben Hays.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks for an open receiver under pressure from a pass rush from Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95)during first quarter action against the Denver Broncos in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Ca October 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward (43) celebrates after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during first quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 30, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is pressured by Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) and safety T.J. Ward (43) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby (29) intercepts a San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) pass and returns it 49-yards for a touchdown during second quarter action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colo. October 30, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during fourth quarter action against the San Diego Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO, October 30, 2016. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile high in Denver, Colo., January 01, 2000. Photo by Pete Eklund
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile high in Denver, Colo., January 01, 2000. Photo by Pete Eklund
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) pressures Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile high in Denver, Colo., September 11, 2017. Photo by Pete Eklund
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) pressures Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during first quarter action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at StubHub Center in Los Angeles, CA, October 22, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) argues with the referees after an intentional grounding penalty during first quarter action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the game at StubHub Center in Los Angeles, CA, October 22, 2017. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos nose tackle Domata Peko (94) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia)
CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the NFL regular season game on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The Broncos won 23-22. (Photo by Ric Tapia)
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) carries the ball after an interception during third quarter action of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center in Carson, California, November 18, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) tackles Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during fourth quarter action of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center in Carson, California, November 18, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass under pressure from Denver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) deflects a pass by Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during first quarter of the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 30, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 06: Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire)
Denver Broncos safety Will Parks (34) and linebacker Malik Reed (59) sack Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 01, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) and Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) after the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, December 01, 2019. Photo by Gabriel Christus
