DENVER, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Jamaal Charles ran for 259 yards and two scores Sunday, powering Kansas City past Denver 44-24, a loss that eliminated the Broncos from playoff contention.
The Chiefs broke up a close game with 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Charles scored on runs of 5 and 56 yards. His yardage, piled up on 25 carries, broke Larry Johnson's Kansas City record for rushing yards in a single game.
Derrick Johnson scored on interception runs of 45 and 60 yards and Mike Cox ran 1 yard for a score for the Chiefs (4-12), who had lost their previous five games.
Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel completed 13-of-24 passes for 207 yards, with an interception.
Ryan Succop kicked field goals of 20, 36 and 47 yards for the Chiefs.
Knowshon Moreno ran for two 1-yard touchdowns and Kyle Orton threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Brandon Stokley for Denver (8-8), which started the season with a 6-0 record and went 2-8 the rest of the way.
Orton connected on 32-of-56 passes for 431 yards and was picked off three times.
