Trailing 10-0 to the Chiefs, the Broncos could have hung their heads, something the youthful team has been prone to this season when facing adversity.

Instead, the Broncos calmly went to work.

The Broncos scored on three drives of 80 yards or longer in a 24-17 victory against the Chiefs, a feat they last accomplished in a 34-30 victory against Cleveland on Nov. 6. None was bigger than the 12-play, 95-yard scoring drive spanning the third and fourth quarters.

When Cutler finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, it gave the Broncos their first lead in 14 quarters at home.

It also marked the longest scoring drive of the season, surpassing Cutler's 93-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal against Cleveland.

"We've had some long drives before," said Cutler, who threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns after getting intercepted by Leggett. "Kansas City did a good job of keeping everything in front of them."

The Broncos also had three 80-yard scoring drives in their 39-38 victory against San Diego in Week 2.

With running back Peyton Hillis and slot receiver Brandon Stokley suffering injuries Sunday, the Broncos had to use all their weapons to avoid losing to Kansas City for the second time this season.

Cutler threw to eight players, and after Hillis left the game in the second quarter, Tatum Bell kept the Broncos ground game moving. Bell's 28-yard run was the key play on the 95-yard drive.

"We were doing a great job of mixing it up and getting different people the ball," said Royal, who caught six passes for 42 yards. "Dan Graham had a great game, so did (Tony) Scheffler. Different people are stepping up in key moments."

Graham and Scheffler, the Broncos tight ends, combined for eight receptions for 93 yards.

"It means a lot when you play good in front of your fans," said Brandon Marshall, who caught 11 passes and went over 1,000 receiving yards for the season. "They pay the big bucks to see us play. This is our way to pay them back."

Cutler's production was aided by his protection. The Chiefs pressured the quarterback several times but didn't register a sack.

Cutler nearly was dropped in the end zone on the second play of the 95-yard drive, but he nimbly sidestepped Chiefs linebacker Demorrio Williams and completed a 17-yard pass to Scheffler in the middle of the field.

"It's frustrating when you get close to the quarterback but you don't get the sack," Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali said. "That happened a few times today."