Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning will have MRI on knee

Nov 10, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after being hit on a pass play during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after being hit on a pass play during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 10, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after being hit on a pass play during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) on the field after being hit on a pass play during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Broncos won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Broncos got a crucial road-win on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers today to improve to 7-1 entering their Week 11 AFC West showdown-game against the Kansas City Chiefs that will see the winner ascend into first-place.

They built a 28-6 lead in the third quarter, highlighted by three receiving touchdowns by wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and four passing touchdowns by Peyton Manning, who continues to look like a runaway-favorite for the NFL MVP award.

But the Chargers would not go quietly in this AFC West showdown, and late in the ball game as Denver was trying to run out the clock, Manning dropped back to pass and was hit in the right knee on a pass to Thomas in the final two minutes of the game:

Backup Brock Osweiler was preparing to enter the contest, but the Broncos called timeout, and Manning did not miss a snap. Manning has been listed on the injury report with an ankle ailment before each of Denver’s last two games.