This Time, Comeback Is Personal for Elway

DENVER —  Sure, John Elway is getting older, but he offered a convincing argument Sunday he might also be getting better.

One week after his worst performance in 11 seasons--a mistake-prone effort that produced whispers he was finally playing old--Elway, 37, answered his detractors.

He threw four touchdown passes, leading Denver past San Diego, 38-3, and assuring the Broncos of playing at home in their first-round playoff game against Jacksonville on Saturday.

Denver (12-4) extended its regular-season winning streak at home to 16 games as Elway completed 17 of 26 passes for 273 yards before leaving in the third quarter. In a loss last Monday night at San Francisco, Elway was 16 of 41 for 150 yards with two interceptions and one fumble.

“Everybody realizes we didn’t play very good in our last two games, so it was nice to put it all together,” Elway said. “This will be a big boost for us going into next week.”

Elway, who finished the season with a career-high 27 touchdown passes, had three in the second quarter, two to Rod Smith. That helped compensate for the absence of AFC rushing leader Terrell Davis, who did not play because of a slightly separated right shoulder.

San Diego (4-12) finished with eight consecutive losses.

“You pick your poison,” Charger Coach Kevin Gilbride said. “You lose Terrell, such a great runner, you put the ball in Elway’s hands, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.”