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Chiefs vs. Broncos halftime update: Denver leads Kansas City, 21-3

The Broncos are a half away from clinching the AFC's No. 1 seed, which comes with home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos own a 21-3 halftime lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season finale between the two teams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday.

Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes to Eric Decker and completed 17-of-22 passes for 218 yards, but it was an excellent defensive play that, for a while at least, stood out as the most important of his first half accomplishments. After Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman fumbled late in the first quarter, Manning made a touchdown-saving tackle on Kansas City's Brandon Flowers on the scoop-and-return. Denver went on to hold the Chiefs to a field goal, preserving its early lead.

Not to be outdone by his quarterback, Decker made a terrific play of his own late in the half, hauling in a Manning touchdown pass with one hand with just ten seconds remaining before halftime, giving the Broncos a three-score lead.

Denver will receive the football at the beginning of the second half.