"It's a great win for us," Manning said. "It's great to get the win and the TD record all at the same time."
San Diego's winning streak ended at eight games. The Chargers (11-4) will still host a first-round game as the No. 4 seed.
It was an atypical day for Manning and the Colts, though. Manning, who had been sacked just nine times all season, was sacked four times by the Chargers. Manning fumbled twice, threw an interception, and seemed out of synch for much of the day. He still finished 27 of 44 for 383 yards with two TDs to give him 49 this year. Dan Marino threw 48 in 1984 to set the record.
Right after the game he got to speak with Marino, the player he grew up idolizing as a young quarterback in Louisiana. Marino was in the CBS studio for the NFL Today, where he serves as a commentator.
"I was getting all emotional talking to him, I can't believe it," a choked-up Manning said. "Dan, besides my father, was always my favorite player growing up after my dad retired. I would have been content if I would have stayed tied. I would have shared that record."
Manning could still break Steve Young's NFL record for top passer rating in a season. Young's record was 112.8 in 1994. Manning's rating stands at 121.4.
Manning threw a 21-yard TD pass to a wide open Brandon Stokley with 56 seconds left in regulation to break the record, but he didn't have time to celebrate. Manning quickly got the Colts to the line and called a draw play for Edgerrin James, who ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 31.
In overtime, Manning needed just four plays to set up the winning field goal. He hooked up with Stokley on a 23-yard gain, then found Reggie Wayne on a 35-yard catch-and-run, and James ran once to the middle of the field, setting up Mike Vanderjagt's winner from 30 yards with 12:13 to go.
As usual, Manning delivered his best plays when the Colts needed him most.
"That's what he's all about," said Stokley. "He stayed calm, kept chucking, and made a great throw on that last play."
