The Broncos were spectacular in winning their 11th consecutive game Sunday, but that alone didn't explain the magnitude of a 38-3 pounding of the Chiefs. Not only did it clinch the NFL's best record (13-3), it also gave them a top seed in the AFC playoffs; and it provided the Chiefs (2-14) with the No. 1 pick in next April's NFL Draft.

"Normally, during the course of the year, everybody doesn't play bad (at the same time). I think all phases played bad today," said a forlorn Romeo Crennel, who likely coached his last game on the Chiefs sideline Sunday.

"This was probably the worst game we played all season," added RB Jamaal Charles, who accounted for 56.3 percent of the Chiefs' yardage from scrimmage Sunday. "It didn't have anything to do with Coach [Crennel]. It was all on us."

The game was not as close as the 35-point margin would indicate, and were it not for a 64-yard fumble return by Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers, the game would have ended in a shutout. As it stood, the Broncos held the Chiefs to 10 points or fewer for a fifth consecutive time -- dating back to December 2010. They outgunned Kansas City 488 yards to 119 and had four times as many first downs (32 to 8).

Chiefs QB Brady Quinn was horrible in his return to Denver; he completed just seven of 16 passes for 49 yards and was sacked four times for 26 yards in losses. The Chiefs averaged just 1.3 yards per pass play; the Broncos diced them up for 9.6.

The Chiefs wouldn't admit it, but their effort bore the stamp of a team desperate to end a disastrous and tragic season that will likely go down as the worst in the club's 53-season history -- and could result in sweeping changes.

When the game turned: When Broncos QB Peyton Manning floated a gorgeous 29-yard pass to WR Brandon Stokley on the Broncos' first offensive play. Stokley operated from the slot on the right side, moved across the field and easily caught the pass. The Broncos scored on a Knowshon Moreno 3-yard touchdown run seven plays later.

Highlight moments: Manning's 11- and 13-yard touchdown passes to WRs Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, both of which were caught with one hand … Von Miller's sack of Quinn late in the third quarter, which took his total to 18.5 and the team's season tally to 52, the second-best in club history (matching the total from 1991) … Rookie backup QB Brock Osweiler finally attempted a pass after being limited to handoffs and kneeldowns in his previous cameo appearances; he completed two third-down tosses to set up the Broncos' final points.

Key stat: Manning threw for more yardage on the Broncos' first series (59) than Quinn did all game (49).

Top-shelf performances:

  • Manning: 23 of 29 for 304 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 144.8 quarterback rating.

     
  • Thomas: Seven catches for 122 yards (17.4-yard average) and one touchdown.

     
  • Decker: Seven catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. His 13 receiving touchdowns are the second-most for a single season in Broncos history.

     
  • Charles: 53 yards on 14 carries; 14 yards on one reception.

     
  • Broncos S Rahim Moore: Eight tackles and a sack.

     
  • Miller: Two tackles for losses and a sack.

     
  • Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt: Eight punts for a 45.8-yard net average.

What they said about Manning:

  • Crennel: "We faced a surgeon today, Peyton Manning, and he operated very well."

  • Manning: "Things are harder [after missing a season with a neck injury], but I've had a lot of help, with the receivers, guys making plays, guys (like) Demaryius and Decker making those one-handed catches and our offensive line has fought incredibly hard all season long. I'm grateful for their protection. I really see those as team things." 

Injury update: Broncos -- None. CB Tracy Porter was held out because of a concussion and KR/PR Trindon Holliday was deactivated because of an ankle injury. Chiefs -- OL Donald Stephenson left the game with a shoulder injury.

Going forward: Broncos -- It's home or a dome the rest of the way; they have home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs and will face the Ravens, Colts or Bengals in the divisional round. They are off until Wednesday but will practice the following three days and go through a team weightlifting session next Saturday. Chiefs -- Crennel is almost certainly out, but multiple reports say that general manager Scott Pioli could escape that fate as the Chiefs head into the offseason with the No. 1 pick and many more questions than they had losses this year.

For up-to-the-minute Broncos updates, follow Andrew Mason on Twitter at @CBSBroncos.

Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.