Denver Broncos Win Division Despite Losing to Kansas City Chiefs

Tim Tebow (15) tries to elude linebacker Derrick Johnson (56.) Tebow completed only four passes all day. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

By James Fish

James Fish

alias for Chris J

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January 2, 2012Updated: October 1, 2015

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Kansas City Chiefs v Denver Broncos — Tim Tebow (15) tries to elude linebacker Derrick Johnson (56.) Tebow completed only four passes all day. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos came out on the short end of a 7–3 defensive battle with the Kansas City Chiefs. Broncos QB Tim Tebow was not able to pull off his sixth fourth-quarter comeback win of the season.

The Chiefs couldn’t manage an attack after a first-period TD, as the Broncos had the stronger line. The Broncos couldn’t get away from the Chiefs’ pass protection; cornerback Brandon Carr intercepted Tebow with eight seconds remaining, ending any comeback hopes.

Ex-Bronco QB Kyle Orton ended his season getting even with the team which cut him halfway through the year. Orton’s Chiefs gained 281 total yards; Tebow’s Broncos managed only 266.

Denver still topped the AFC West division as the Oakland Raiders lost to the San Diego Chargers, 38–26. The Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North; the Houston Texans, the AFC South; and the New England Patriots, the AFC East.

The New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers won their NFC divisions; the New York Giants beat Dallas Cowboys 31–14 to capture the NFC East Sunday night.