KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Todd Peterson atoned for an earlier miss in overtime by kicking a 32-yard field goal with 5:56 left in the extra session Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs dealt the Denver Broncos' playoff hopes a damaging blow with a 26-23 victory.
Down to third-string quarterback Jarious Jackson, the Broncos rallied to reach overtime on Jason Elam's 49-yard field goal with 1:13 left in regulation.
But the Broncos could not carry that momentum into overtime, failing to move the ball on their two possessions.
Peterson nearly won the game on the Chiefs' first possession of overtime, kicking a 31-yard field goal with 8:24 left. But the play was nullified on a holding penalty on Gary Stills and Peterson hit the right upright from 41 yards.
After Denver went three-and-out, the Chiefs got into position when Trent Green found rookie Marvin Minnis for 56 yards to the Denver 14.
Peterson, who made four of six field goals, provided the winning points on the next play. Peterson also missed a 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter with the game tied, 20-20.
It was a critical loss for the Broncos (7-7), who fell 1 1/2 games behind the New York Jets for the final wild card spot. Denver has a bye next week before closing the season against Oakland and Indianapolis.
Jackson, a 2000 seventh-round pick out of Notre Dame, was forced into action late in the third quarter when backup Gus Frerotte left with a neck injury. Starter Brian Griese already was sidelined with a concussion.
Priest Holmes rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown for Kansas City (4-9), which beat the Broncos for the sixth time in the last seven meetings at Arrowhead Stadium. Holmes leads the NFL with 1,267 yards rushing.
