The Broncos broke a three-game losing streak at Invesco Field at Mile High and brightened their playoff picture with a 24-17 comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Despite losing running back Peyton Hillis because of a hamstring injury in the second quarter, the Broncos offense overcame a slow start from quarterback Jay Cutler and used a couple of timely runs by Tatum Bell to wipe out 10-0 and 17-7 deficits.

The Broncos defense, riddled by Kansas City running back Larry Johnson in an embarrassing road loss earlier this season, held Johnson to 36 yards and limited the effectiveness of the Chiefs spread offense, holding Kansas City scoreless in the second half to set the stage for the comeback.

First quarter: Chiefs 10, Broncos 7

The teams trade punts at the outset, but the Broncos then test the nerves of their fans with another slow start at home against a struggling division opponent.

On the Chiefs' second possession, quarterback Tyler Thigpen finds Dwayne Bowe for a 34-yard pass that sets up the game's first score, a 26-yard field goal by Connor Barth that gives Kansas City a 3-0 lead.

Disaster strikes on the Broncos' next possession as Jay Cutler's fourth pass of the game is intercepted by Chiefs free-agent rookie cornerback Maurice Leggett, who returns it 27 yards for a touchdown to give Kansas City a quick 10-0 edge.

The Broncos offense finally comes alive, with Cutler going 3-of-4 and Peyton Hillis and Tatum Bell churning out rushing yards on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ends with an 18-yard touchdown by Hillis that gets the Broncos to 10-7.

Second quarter: Chiefs 17, Broncos 10

After taking possession late in the first quarter, the Chiefs put together a time-consuming 17-play drive, keeping the Broncos defense on the field by converting four third downs and one fourth down. Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez shows why he likely is destined for the Hall of Fame by capping the march with an athletic 13-yard touchdown reception that gives the Chiefs a 17-7 lead.

The Broncos answer with their own lengthy drive, putting together a 14-play march that takes nearly seven minutes off the clock. Cutler converts three third downs - two on passes to Hillis and Brandon Marshall and another on a 6-yard run - before hitting Marshall with a 12-yard touchdown pass that trims Kansas City's lead to 17-14 at the break.

The pass to Hillis proves costly as the Broncos' starting running back suffers a hamstring injury on the play and does not return.

Third quarter: Chiefs 17, Broncos 17

The Broncos carry their momentum into the opening drive of the second half. Cutler completes 5-of-6 passes on the drive, hitting Eddie Royal for an 18-yard gain that moves Denver into field-goal range. Matt Prater caps the drive with a 33-yard field goal that ties the score 17-17.

Gonzalez moves Kansas City into field-goal range with an acrobatic 24-yard catch along the sideline.

But Broncos cornerback Josh Bell throws Larry Johnson for a 7-yard loss and after a false-start penalty, the Chiefs are forced to punt.

The Broncos put together another promising drive, getting a 20-yard completion from Cutler to Tony Scheffler and a 25-yard completion to Daniel Graham.

But Prater's attempt at a go-ahead field goal sails wide right from 48 yards.

The Broncos defense starts to assert itself, forcing three straight incomplete passes to get the ball back as the quarter ends.

Fourth quarter: Broncos 24, Chiefs 17

Cutler completes short passes to Royal and Scheffler before Tatum Bell, carrying the bulk of the rushing load in place of Hillis, breaks through the Chiefs defense for a 28-yard gain.

Cutler converts a third down with a 9-yard pass to Marshall before using a similar play to Marshall for a 6-yard touchdown pass that caps a 95-yard drive and gives the Broncos their first lead of the game at 24-17.

Kansas City gets back on track, getting two passes to Gonzalez and a 19-yard pass to Bowe to move deep into Denver territory.

After a Thigpen scramble sets up first-and-goal, the Broncos defense makes a huge goal-line stand, stopping Thigpen inches short of the goal line on fourth down.

Starting from their own goal line, the Broncos get a bit play from Marshall, who makes a 19-yard reception on third down to keep the clock moving, and they are able to run out the clock after another third-down conversion by Scheffler.