Another Ugly Win for Broncos : AFC: Chargers dominate in every category except the final score, 21-13.

DENVER — San Diego outgained Denver 355-226, led in first downs 27-12, and had more than a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. So why was Denver quarterback John Elway smiling?

Because the Broncos are 2-0. Winning ugly for the second consecutive week, Denver withstood San Diego’s bull-like rushing attack as Elway threw for two touchdowns and ran for another Sunday in a 21-13 victory over the Chargers.

“Our offense really took a step forward today,” Elway said. “The pass protection was good, and I threw better than I did last week. We have a long way to go in the running game, but if everybody keeps working together we have a chance to improve.”

Elway threw a 32-yard scoring pass to Mark Jackson just five minutes into the game, then accounted for two third-quarter scores, scrambling eight yards for one and connecting with Shannon Sharpe on a 34-yard pass play for the other.

“The pass to Shannon was an audible,” Elway said. “I saw they had man coverage on Shannon with their safety. I laid it up and he made a great catch.”

Denver Coach Dan Reeves sounded more like the coach in the losing locker room.

Growing testy from questions about Denver’s defense being on the field for 11 minutes of the second quarter, Reeves said: “I’ll try anything you guys think will work. Believe me, we’re trying to come up with plays on offense that will work. We don’t intentionally go three-plays-and-out.”

San Diego Coach Bobby Ross said his team still lacks the ability to “make that big play happen, to make the plays in critical situations. We played better offensively than a week ago, but it was just not to be.”

With the Broncos trailing, 10-7, Elway completed four consecutive passes to set up his eight-yard scramble, the first of two Denver touchdowns in the third quarter.

Late in the quarter, cornerback Charles Dimry intercepted Stan Humphries’ pass at the Chargers’ 34 and Elway then hooked up with a diving Sharpe in the end zone for a 21-13 advantage.

Humphries, making his first start for the Chargers (0-2) after being acquired from Washington a month ago, also had a pass intercepted by safety Dennis Smith deep in Denver territory with 3:52 left. He was sacked five times.

Rod Bernstine gained 83 of San Diego’s 168 rushing yards in 12 carries and Marion Butts had 78 yards in 16 carries.

Denver, showing no apparent signs of the offensive lethargy that characterized its exhibition season and regular-season opener, drove 80 yards in eight plays with the opening kickoff for a 7-0 lead. Elway completed all five of his passes on the drive, including the 32-yarder to Jackson for the score. The Broncos’ offense misfired on five subsequent possessions of the half, however.

The Chargers, losing their sixth consecutive game at Mile High Stadium and their ninth in 11 games overall with Denver, had an early field-goal attempt blocked but closed to 7-3 with 1:34 left in the half on John Carney’s 20-yard field goal.