Broncos vs. Chiefs final score: Peyton Manning leads Denver to 17-9 win

The Broncos were heavily favored, but put on a relatively lackluster performance throughout the first half. The Chiefs controlled time of possession, keeping Peyton Manning and the Denver offense off the field. But Kansas City's trips into Denver territory repeatedly resulted in just Ryan Succop field goals, and that simply wouldn't be enough against the quick-strike capabilities of Manning.

The Denver quarterback connected for two touchdown passes that would prove to be the difference against a 1-10 Kansas City team. The Broncos put together a 94-yard drive over the final five minutes of the first half. It was capped by Manning hitting Jacob Tamme in the middle of the field and the bulky tight end broke the plane with Eric Berry draped around his waist.

The drive was in jeopardy on several occasions, but big completions to Brandon Stokley down the right sideline, and to Tamme on a 2nd-and-long situation moved the chains into the red zone. It all ended with Manning expertly moving to his right in the pocket and finding Tamme for the score. It was certainly a disheartening turn for the Chiefs, who controlled the first half but went to the locker room down a point.

After the Chiefs momentarily re-took the lead in the third quarter, Manning responded with a perfect pass to Demaryius Thomas that put Denver in front for good. The Hall of Fame quarterback dropped it over the top of the defense and hit Thomas, his top deep threat, in stride as he burst down the left sideline. The 30-yard touchdown pass was enough to clinch the win and move Denver to 8-3 overall, and extend their winning streak to six games.

While the Denver offense didn't exactly go off on the Chiefs, Manning still finished the day 22 of 37 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Jamaal Charles was the bright spot on offense for Kansas City, rushing it 23 times for 107 yards.

Inside the red zone on their opening possession, the Chiefs called for a third-down throwback pass from Peyton Hillis to quarterback Brady Quinn across the field. The results were not good.

The Broncos return to Mile High where they will try to make it seven in a row against the Buccaneers. The Chiefs will host the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead.