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- DENVER BRONCOS (9-3)**
Week 13: Won 29-16 at Kansas City Chiefs
How it happened: The Broncos fired out to a 14-0 lead behind a powerful running game, timely passing and a dominant defense that held the Chiefs to minus-10 yards in the first quarter. Demaryius Thomas caught a 23-yard touchdown and C.J. Anderson took a short pass 15 yards for the score on the first two Broncos possessions. Behind a career day from Anderson, the Broncos continued to move the ball and wind the clock, getting five field goals from Connor Barth in his first appearance as a Bronco. Jack Del Rio's unit finished off the Chiefs, allowing a total of 151 yards while picking up six sacks and forcing three turnovers.
It was over when: With less than four minutes remaining and the Chiefs trailing by 13, Rahim Moore jarred the ball free from Donnie Avery's grasp and Bradley Roby recovered the fumble, giving possession back to the Broncos.
Key performer: Behind a gelling offensive line, C.J. Anderson set a career-high in rushing yards for the second game in a row with 168.
Between the hash marks:
-DeMarcus Ware stuffed the stat sheet, picking up a sack, two tackles for loss, two QB hits and an interception off a pass that was batted by Terrance Knighton.
-Barth's five field goals tied Jason Elam's franchise record for most in a game.
-In addition to Barth's big day, Denver's special teams also executed a fake punt, had a 22-yard punt return and recovered a muffed punt.
What's next: The Broncos host the 7-5 Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
2. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-4)
Week 13: Won 34-33 at Baltimore Ravens
How it happened: The Chargers used a 21-point fourth quarter to rally from a 10-point deficit and beat the Ravens in one of the tougher road venues in the league. San Diego trailed from the start, going down 10-0 halfway through the first quarter, but remained within striking distance. After forcing the Ravens to kick a field goal from deep in San Diego territory to extend the lead to six, Philip Rivers took the Chargers 80 yards for the game-winning score to Eddie Royal, which was set up by a 28-yard pass interference penalty against Baltimore. The defense hung on in the final 38 seconds to bring the Chargers' win streak to three games.
It was over when: Brandon Flowers tackled Kamar Aiken in bounds on the final play of the game to force the clock to run out before the Ravens could attempt a game-winning field goal.
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Key performer:** In his second game back from injury, Ryan Mathews picked up 113 total yards on just 14 touches, including a 32-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Between the hash marks:
-Despite throwing an interception, Philip Rivers finished with a QB rating of 113.5, throwing for 383 yards and three touchdowns on the day.
-Keenan Allen continued his hot streak with 11 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
-There were only two punts in this game, one by each team. Together the teams' scored on 13 of the 18 offensive possessions in the game.
What's next: The Chargers return home for a Sunday night matchup with the Patriots.
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-5)
Week 13: Lost 29-16 vs. Denver Broncos
How it happened: The Chiefs fell down early against the Broncos' mix of rushing and passing success, and Kansas City's offense couldn't string together first downs nor execute on third downs to stop Denver's early run. They were dominated on the line of scrimmage, allowing six sacks and 214 rushing yards, while only gaining 41 yards on the ground themselves. Their defense tightened up a bit in holding the Broncos to little success in the red zone, but the Chiefs offense was often ineffective.
It was over when: the Chiefs' would-be first down pass late in the game down two possessions became a fumble that fell into Bradley Roby's hands.
Key performer: Justin Houston has been a terror all season and got his 14th sack of the season on Sunday. His sack and forced fumble on Peyton Manning in the beginning of the third quarter gave the ball back to the Chiefs, but they were held to a field goal.
Between the hash marks:
- The offense gained fewer total net yards (151) than how many yards the defense allowed C.J. Anderson to run for (168).
- The Chiefs converted just one of nine third downs despite averaging a starting field position at their own 33-yard line.
- Jamaal Charles missed nearly the entire game in the first matchup between the Broncos and Chiefs, but didn't have a huge impact in this game with only 35 rushing yards, though he did add a receiving touchdown.
What's next: The Chiefs will try to end their two-game skid next Sunday on the road vs. the 9-3 Cardinals in Glendale.
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-11)
Week 13: Lost 52-0 at St. Louis Rams
How it happened: All the progress the Raiders seemed to have made in their defeat of the Chiefs disappeared promptly as the Rams were up 21-0 by the end of the first quarter and 38-0 at the half. Tre Mason had three touchdowns, including a 98-yard TD run in the second quarter. Shaun Hill had just 183 passing yards and had a rushing TD, but the Rams were able to outgain the Raiders 172-61 on the ground. The St. Louis defense was all over the Raiders, forcing five turnovers and racking up six sacks, including three from Robert Quinn. A 43-yard pick-six by Trumaine Johnson with just over five minutes left capped off the dominating win for the Rams.
It was over when: Tavon Austin's 18-yard touchdown run with 2:37 left in the first quarter created an insurmountable 21-point deficit for the Raiders.
Key performer: Justin Tuck finished the game with two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass defensed.
Between the hash marks:
- The Raiders began the game with three-straight three-and-outs.
-Matt Schaub came into the game in the fourth quarter and had his first completion as a Raider.
-Hill's rushing touchdown was his first since 2008.
What's next: The Raiders face the 49ers at home.
Flip through photos of the Broncos' 58 touchdowns this season, from Julius Thomas' opening-week hat trick to Peyton Manning's No. 509 to Virgil Green's first NFL touchdown.
Brock Osweiler connected with Virgil Green for the first touchdown pass of his career.
Virgil Green's first TD as a Bronco capped off the scoring for the team.
Tony Carter returned Derek Carr's fumble for a touchdown with less than five minutes left in the game.
C.J. Anderson broke three tackles on the way to his third TD of the game, putting the Broncos up 27-7.
On first-and-goal, C.J. Anderson cut around the edge for an easy TD.
Anderson's first of three scores on the day was an 11-yard TD run. He slammed through DJ Hayden and Charles Woodson into the end zone.
In the Broncos' third-consecutive scoring drive, Peyton Manning connected with Emmanuel Sanders for the go-ahead TD.
On a drive that was fueled by an Emmanuel Sanders one-handed catch, the Broncos cut the Bengals' lead with an Emmanuel Sanders' 4-yard TD catch.
Aided by a 77-yard kickoff return from Omar Bolden, the Broncos were able to score on their first drive after the half as C.J. Anderson bolted into the end zone.
Aqib Talib intercepted Andy Dalton in the first quarter and returned it for a TD – the sixth pick-six of his career.
Demaryius Thomas caught a back-shoulder fade from Peyton Manning, shook a few defenders and trotted in for the score to put the Broncos up 16-3 late in the third quarter.
C.J. Anderson's third score put the Broncos up 21-3 early in the second half.
It was Anderson's fifth touchdown in a three-week span.
Without much space, Anderson burrowed through defenders and across the goal line in the second quarter.
Anderson opened the scoring against the Bills with a weaving 6-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Anderson exploited single coverage and caught a pass up the middle before breaking tackles on his way to the end zone.
On the opening possession against the Chiefs, Manning dropped a deep ball perfectly in Demaryius Thomas' arms for the 23-yard score.
After a T.J. Ward interception, Wes Welker caught a quick pass from Manning and ducked inside the pylon for the score.
With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, C.J. Anderson delivered the Broncos their first lead on a 10-yard run through traffic.
Early in the fourth quarter, Demaryius Thomas brought the Broncos within a field goal with his third touchdown of the game.
With just seconds left in the first half, Manning split the Dolphins' zone to find Thomas for his second touchdown.
Draped in coverage by two defenders, Demaryius Thomas brought in a 5-yard touchdown on a great throw from Manning.
Late in the second quarter, Sanders got behind the Rams' defense for a 42-yard touchdown.
The Broncos capped 35 consecutive points with a 15-yard pass from Manning to Sanders.
Facing fourth-and-inches, Manning faked a handoff and threw to a wide-open Julius Thomas, who galloped down the sideline for a 32-yard TD.
Julius Thomas caught a short pass and powered through Charles Woodson for the touchdown.
With time ticking down in the first half, Sanders corralled a deep pass from Manning for the diving touchdown.
After catching a short dump off with one-hand, Anderson broke several tackles and weaved his way across the field for a 51-yard score.
The long touchdown gave the Broncos a 13-10 lead and a spark late in the second quarter.
Hillman dove into the end zone just inside the left pylon for his first career receiving touchdown.
This touchdown was Thomas' league-leading 10th receiving touchdown of the year.
Hillman got the Broncos on the board with a 1-yard TD run around the left edge.
Thompson became the first undrafted rookie to record multiple rushing touchdowns in a game since RB Mike Bell in 2006. His second score of the game put the Broncos up 35-14.
Thompson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run on a fullback dive.
Manning connected with Sanders on a slant for Sanders' third score of the game, making it a two-touchdown game.
Late in the first half, Manning found Sanders behind the defense for a 31-yard touchdown, Sanders' second of the game.
Sanders' diving touchdown catch in the back of the end zone put the Broncos up 7-0 in the second quarter.
Sanders celebrates his first of three touchdowns of the game with a Mile High salute.
Hillman was the final Bronco to get on the board with a 1-yard TD run, his second of the game.
Hillman weaved his way through Niners defenders on his way to a 37-yard score.
Thomas reeled in a gorgeous deep ball from Manning early in the third quarter to put the Broncos up 28-10.
On third-and-goal from the 8, Manning looked for Demaryius Thomas on an out route just inside the end zone.
Manning connected with Thomas for his NFL-record 509th TD pass, passing Brett Favre.
Thomas dragged his toes perfectly after snagging the pass on his way out of bounds.
Manning tied Brett Favre's record with this TD pass, his 508th, to Welker.
After his defender ran into the referee, Sanders caught a 3-yard pass from Manning to get his first TD as a Bronco.
Sanders celebrated the TD with a Mile High Salute.
Aqib Talib sealed a 31-17 win over the Jets with a pick-six of Geno Smith in the closing seconds.
Julius Thomas catches an easy touchdown on a slant for his second score of the day and eighth of the year.
Late in the first half, Manning threw up the seam for Julius Thomas, who snagged the ball and hung on for the 22-yard TD.
On third-and-goal from the 1, Manning found Demaryius Thomas through traffic to take a 10-7 lead.
Undrafted rookie Juwan Thompson scooted up the middle for an 8-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
Julius Thomas caught his sixth touchdown of the season to increase the Broncos' fourth quarter lead to 14.
Manning hit Demaryius Thomas in stride down the sideline and Thomas did the rest, outrunning everyone for an 86-yard TD.
Demaryius Thomas caught a short pass, broke tackles and juked defenders on his way to a 31-yard touchdown.
Thomas celebrated the score by leaping into the stands.
Manning didn't take long to find TD No. 500 against the Cardinals.
He hit Julius Thomas in the first quarter for a 7-yard touchdown, making him the second QB ever to throw 500 touchdowns.
With time running down in regulation, Manning hit Tamme deep for a 26-yard touchdown, capping an 80-yard drive in 41 seconds.
Tamme's touchdown, along with a two-point conversion to Demaryius Thomas, sent the game to overtime.
Manning threw a shovel pass to Julius Thomas, who waltzed into the end zone untouched.
Demaryius Thomas brought in his first score of the year with one hand despite tight coverage.
Tamme was wide open for a touchdown from Manning, the fifth score by a Broncos tight end of the season.
Julius Thomas caught his fourth touchdown of the season less than five minutes into Week 2.
Manning celebrated with teammates after hitting Julius Thomas for the duo's fourth TD on the season.
Ball changed direction at the line and dove over the goal line for a 3-yard score.
Julius Thomas easily shakes LaRon Landry at the line for his third TD of the game.
Manning found Julius Thomas in the open field and the tight end scooted up the left side for the score.
On third-and-goal from the 3, Manning hung in the pocket and threw for Julius Thomas.
Julius Thomas brought in the Broncos' first touchdown of the year despite coverage.
