**
- DENVER BRONCOS (10-3)**
*Week 14: Won 24-17 vs. Buffalo Bills *
How it happened: The Bills got off to a rough start on their first drive when Bradley Roby forced a fumble that was recovered by Rahim Moore. On their next drive, the Bills turned the ball over on downs. While Peyton Manning didn't throw a touchdown pass, the Broncos' offense was led by C.J. Anderson, who had three TD scores, and Juwan Thompson. Each team turned the ball over three times, but the Bills were penalized on both interception returns, hurting their field position. The Bills were able to tack on two touchdowns in the fourth quarter but the Broncos held on for the W.
It was over when: David Bruton recovered the Bills' onside kick attempt with less than a minute left in the game.
Key performer: With a career-high three touchdowns to go with 58 rushing yards, C.J. Anderson spearheaded the Broncos' offense when the passing game couldn't get off the ground.
Between the hash marks:
- Juwan Thompson's career-high 63 rushing yards on just four carries led the Broncos. He also had a season-long 47 yard run.
- Sunday's game ended Peyton Manning's streak of games with at least one touchdown pass at 51.
- Wes Welker had a season-high 82 receiving yards on six catches.
What's next: The Broncos head to San Diego to face the Chargers.
- Lauren Giudice
**
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.
- SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-5)**
Week 14: Lost 23-14 vs. New England Patriots
How it happened: The Chargers fired out to a 14-3 lead behind a gorgeous touchdown catch from Malcom Floyd and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Darrell Stuckey. The Chargers' defense performed well, forcing two field goal attempts and picking off Tom Brady in three first-half red-zone possessions. The offense could not generate much however, failing to score on any of its final 10 drives. Making matters worse, punter Mike Scifres left the game in the second quarter with a broken collarbone, forcing kicker Nick Novak to punt in his stead. The Patriots pulled away in the fourth quarter with a tackle-breaking catch-and-run by Julian Edelman for a 69-yard touchdown.
It was over when: Facing third-and-2 from their own 20-yard line, the Patriots converted with a 5-yard scramble from Tom Brady. Still down nine points with a sputtering offense, the Chargers were forced to use their timeouts and couldn't get the ball back until just 2:05 remained.
Key performer: Melvin Ingram, in his third game back from a hip injury that landed him on short-term IR, picked up a sack of Brady and harassed the Patriots' run game all night for three tackles for loss.
Between the hash marks:
-In a down performance, Philip Rivers collected 189 passing yards and an interception on 33 attempts.
-Keenan Allen was blanketed by Darrelle Revis, finishing with two catches for three yards.
-After short punts of 27 and 33 yards to begin, Novak settled into his emergency role and boomed punts of 45, 51 and 46 yards.
What's next: The Chargers host the Broncos in a game that could decide the AFC West.
-David DeChant
Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)
Week 14: Lost 17-14 at Arizona Cardinals
How it happened: The Chiefs' skid continued on Sunday with a tough loss on the road in Arizona. Despite their offense outplaying the Cardinals', a combination of turnovers and penalties killed Kansas City late in the game. The Chiefs actually had the lead until late in the third quarter, having held the Cardinals to just field goals while they scored two touchdowns. A 14-6 halftime lead turned quickly in the third quarter and the Chiefs ended their first drive of the quarter failing to convert on a fourth down try, turning the ball over on downs. On Kansas City's next drive, Alex Smith threw an interception and Arizona turned it into a touchdown, and added on a two-point conversion to complete an 11-point third quarter. Despite plenty of possessions in the fourth quarter for both teams, neither could move the sticks and the Chiefs suffered an extremely costly and controversial fumble from Cardinals territory with about five minutes left. After the Cardinals missed their second field goal of the day, Kansas City got the ball back but struggled to move the ball and turned it over on downs.
It was over when: Alex Smith threw four consecutive incompletions in the last minute, turning the ball over on downs with the Chiefs needing to get a field goal to tie.
Key performer: Jamaal Charles exploded for a 63-yard run on the Chiefs' first drive of the game and finished with 91 yards on 10 carries. He also had two receptions for 20 yards, including a touchdown, marking his third straight week with a receiving touchdown.
Between the hash marks:
- Alex Smith was sacked five times for a cumulative loss of 29 yards.
- Kansas City's averaging starting position was at their own 21, while the Cardinals started at their own 32 on average.
- The Chiefs were penalized nine times for 75 total yards, including 26 in the fourth quarter.
What's next: The Chiefs return home to Arrowhead to take on the Raiders.
-Ben Swanson
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-11)
*Week 14: Won 24-13 vs. San Francisco 49ers *
How it happened: Unlike their Week 13 loss in St. Louis, where the Rams scored 21 points in the first quarter, the Raiders got off to a great start with Brandon Ross picking off Colin Kaepernick on the first play from scrimmage. The Raiders' pass rush kept consistent pressure on Kaepernick and sacked him five times and picked him off twice, including Charles Woodson's game-sealing interception. Derek Carr had the best game of his career and spread the ball to a variety of receivers and Mychal Rivera led the team with seven catches on seven targets for 108 yards and a touchdown.
It was over when: Phil Dawson's 47-yard field goal missed wide left with less just over five minutes to go and the Raiders up by 11.
Key performer: Derek Carr finished the game with a passer rating of 140.2, an average of 9.07 yards per attempt and a 78.6 completion percentage – all season highs.
Between the hash marks:
- Rivera's 109 receiving yards make him just the second Raider to have a 100-yard receiving game this season.
- Left tackle Donald Penn's 3-yard TD catch was the third score of his career.
- Antonio Smith and Khalil Mack each had two sacks.
What's next: The Raiders head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs.
-Lauren Giudice
