Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
Week 12: Lost 41-38 vs. San Diego
How it happened: As the momentum tipped back-and-forth and the teams traded scores throughout the afternoon, the Chiefs found themselves trailing 34-31 midway through the fourth quarter after Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tossed a 60-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ladarius Green. The Chiefs answered in the game's closing minutes, as quarterback Alex Smith completed five passes in marching Kansas City on a 55-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown – a 5-yard touchdown pass from Smith to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe with 1:22 to play. There was enough time left for Rivers to write the game's final chapter, however, as the quarterback threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu with 24 seconds left to lift the Chargers to victory.
It was over when: The Chiefs' final possession in the closing seconds never crossed midfield and time expired at Arrowhead Stadium.
Key performer: Running back Jamaal Charles churned up 114 yards on just 14 carries – averaging 8.2 yards per carry – and scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Charles also caught four passes for 42 yards.
What's next: The Chiefs host the Broncos on Sunday in a rematch of Denver's 27-17 win in Week 11.
Between the hash marks:
-Charles' 156 combined yards on Sunday brought his season total to 1,343 – just 65 yards shy of Eagles running back LeSean McCoy's league-leading mark of 1,408 yards.
-Smith's 294 passing yards and 106.7 quarterback rating were both season highs – and he threw for three touchdown passes for the second time this season.
Oakland Raiders (4-7)
Week 12: Lost 23-19 vs. Tennessee
How it happened: As rookie quarterback Matt McGloin made his second-career start, the Raiders rallied from a fourth quarter deficit on a 27-yard touchdown pass from McGloin to fullback Marcel Reece with 6:10 remaining, snatching a 19-16 lead. However, on the ensuing possession, Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick guided Tennessee on a 14-play, 80-yard drive – completing eight passes in the process – that ate up six minutes. On third-and-goal, Fitzpatrick found wide receiver Kendall Wright for a 10-yard touchdown with 10 seconds to play, putting the Titans ahead for good.
It was over when: McGloin and the Raiders weren't able to convert on a last-gasp effort and time ran out at O.co Coliseum.
Key performer: McGloin completed 19 of 32 passes for 260 yards with a touchdown and an interception – including four completions for 74 yards on the drive that set up the Raiders' go-ahead touchdown.
What's next: The Raiders will look for their first win of the season over an NFC East opponent when they travel to Dallas on Thursday night.
Between the hash marks:
-Running back Rashad Jennings picked up 73 rushing yards on 16 carries, bringing his season rushing total to 553 yards – most on the team. The Raiders rank fourth in the NFL with 140.6 rushing yards per game.
-Wide receiver Rod Streater hauled in five receptions for 93 yards, bringing his season totals to 40 receptions for 600 yards.
San Diego Chargers (5-6)
Week 12: Won 41-38 at Kansas City
How it happened: The Chargers struck last in a seesaw afternoon of football at Arrowhead Stadium featuring nine lead changes, 886 yards of total offense and 79 total points. Trailing 38-34 with 1:22 to play, Rivers marched San Diego 78 yards in just seven plays, culminating in a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ajirotutu with 24 seconds to play. That play proved to be the game's decisive score and helped the Chargers snap a three-game losing streak.
It was over when: Time expired on the Chiefs' final drive of the game, sealing the win for San Diego.
Key performer: Rivers came through for the Chargers in the game's final quarter, completing eight passes in the fourth quarter, including a pair of touchdowns. The quarterback finished the day completing 27 of 39 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns – without an interception – good for a quarterback rating of 127.3.
What's next:The Chargers will look to remain in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt when they host the Bengals (7-4) on Sunday.
Between the hash marks:
-Rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen cracked the 100-yard receiving mark for the fourth time this season, catching nine passes for 124 yards.
-The Chargers posted a season-high 41 points on Sunday – and San Diego's 491 yards of total offense brought their season average to 407.7 yards per game, good for sixth in the NFL.
Denver Broncos (9-2)
Week 12: Lost 34-31 in overtime at New England
How it happened: The Broncos' roller coaster of an evening took an unfortunate final turn late in overtime after the Patriots' punt glanced off cornerback Tony Carter deep in New England territory and the Patriots recovered the loose ball. The turnover set up Patriots kicker Stephen Gostowski to kick a game-winning 31-yard field goal, ending a long and dramatic night of football played in frigid temperatures. After jumping out to a 24-0 lead at halftime, the Broncos fell behind 31-24 before quarterback Peyton Manning and the offense rallied for a game-tying, 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
It was over when: Gostowski's kick sailed through the uprights with 1:56 remaining in overtime.
Key performer: It was a career night for running back Knowshon Moreno, who rose to the occasion time and time again for the Broncos. Moreno carried the ball 37 times for Denver – a career high, and the fourth-most by a player in franchise history – and his production matched his workload. He finished the game with a career-high 224 rushing yards, the third-highest single-game total in Broncos history, and added a 2-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.
What's next: The Broncos travel to Kansas City on Sunday for an AFC West rematch after the Broncos' 27-17 win over the Chiefs in Week 11.
Between the hash marks:
-Tight end Jacob Tamme made all five of his receptions on Sunday count. Four of Tamme's five catches – he totaled 47 receiving yards on the night – came on third down, including a 5-yard touchdown reception from Manning that put the Broncos up 24-0.
-Linebacker Von Miller finished the night with eight tackles, a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
