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The Chiefs gained ground in the division with the Broncos falling to the Raiders in Week 14.
The Broncos opened the game by putting together four cohesive drives. QB Brock Osweiler completed 22 fo 29 passes for 199 yards in the first half.
However, the Broncos struggled in the red zone, hitting a wall each time and finishing each drive with a field goal.
Denver's defense was a force throughout the game, but especially in the first half, holding Oakland to minus-12 yards.
However, the offense couldn't string together drives in the first half for any points. Raiders DE Khalil Mack was almost unstoppable with five sacks.
Derek Carr snapped the Raiders' eight-game losing streak to the Broncos, leading the offense to two second-half touchdowns.
After rolling on offense since their winning streak began eight weeks ago, the Chiefs struggled to get things going, and turnovers hurt in the first half. A fumble on a punt return gave the Chargers the ball at Kansas City's 26-yard line, but San Diego couldn't get a first down and the field goal was wide left.
The Chargers got their second turnover in the second quarter on a pick by CB Jason Verrett, but once again, San Diego couldn't get any points. The drive stalled at the 42-yard line and the Chargers punted.
With two minutes left in the half, the Chiefs finally got on the board with a 44-yard touchdown from QB Alex Smith to WR Albert Wilson.
While OLB Justin Houston recovers from a knee injury, Dee Ford started in his absence, and he tallied three sacks against the Chargers and QB Philip Rivers.
Down seven, the Chargers drove to the Kansas City 1-yard line with five seconds on the clock. But penalties pushed them back and made their final plays much more difficult. The Chiefs defense stood strong on two plays and forced an incompletion on the final play of the game to Danny Woodhead.
Denver Broncos (10-3)**
Last outing: L 15-12 vs. Oakland (6-7)
Standouts: Not a lot went right for Denver on offense, but the Broncos defense continues to prove itself as the best in the NFL. The defense helped keep the Broncos alive and within spitting distance of tying or retaking control after losing a 12-0 lead in the second half. The Broncos held the Raiders to eight first downs and just 126 yards of total offense, including just 99 passing yards. The Broncos are the only NFL team that hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer this season.
Next up:The Broncos will look to prove themselves as strong AFC playoff contenders with a trip to Pittsburgh to take on the rising Steelers (8-5).
- Allie Raymond
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Kansas City Chiefs (8-5)
Last outing:W 10-3 vs. Chargers (3-10)
Standouts:After six straight weeks of mostly rolling through opponents, the Chiefs faced a challenge in a surprisingly low-scoring battle with San Diego (10-3). The defense held strong in the first half to ensure the Chargers couldn't capitalize on early turnovers, and it ended the game strong with a goal-line stand to keep San Diego from possibly tying or winning the game on a last-second touchdown. QB Alex Smith's 44-yard touchdown pass to WR Albert Wilson in the first half gave the Chiefs the necessary separation for the win, and linebacker Dee Ford filled in for injured pass rusher Justin Houston with three sacks.
Next up: The Chiefs will look to extend their seven-game win streak with a trip to Baltimore to face a 4-9 Ravens team that has struggled with injuries to key players on offense and defense.* *
- Ben Swanson
Oakland Raiders (6-7)
Last outing: W 15-12 at Denver (10-3)
Standouts: Two words: Khalil Mack. The outside linebacker put on a pass-rush clinic against the Broncos recording 5.0 sacks, the most in a single NFL game since 2012. Other than Mack, the Raiders offense did just enough to seal the win over Denver with a pair of touchdowns, while the defense chipped in a safety.
Next up: The Raiders will look to carry their momentum against the Green Bay Packers (9-4), who lead the NFC North.
- Allie Raymond
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San Diego Chargers (3-10)
Last outing:L 10-3 at Kansas City (8-5)
Standouts:It was a mighty defensive effort for San Diego, who came as close to slowing down the Chiefs as anyone has in the past eight weeks since Kansas City's last loss. QB Philip Rivers drove 88 yards to the Kansas City 1-yard line in an effort for a game-tying touchdown, but miscues pushed them back on two penalties before an incomplete pass with two seconds left ended the game. Individually, CB Jason Verrett excelled with an interception, his second in as many weeks, and TE Antonio Gates reeled in six receptions for 76 yards.
Next up:The Chargers will host the Dolphins (5-8) in San Diego's last home game of 2015.
*- Ben Swanson
What the photographers saw in the Broncos' first loss to the Raiders since 2011.
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