Elway Is On Target When It Counts : His Hot Finish After Five Interceptions Beats Chiefs, 14-13

“It just wasn’t one of my better days.” John Elway said in an observation that surprised no one.

The Denver Broncos’ quarterback threw five interceptions Saturday, triggering widespread booing from a usually adoring hometown crowd. But when it counted--when the Broncos’ playoff hopes were on the line in the closing minutes--Elway completed eight of eight passes, rallying Denver to a 14-13 National Football League victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Elway completed three passes on a final drive that was capped by Sammy Winder’s 1-yard dive with 22 seconds to go, improving the Broncos’ record to 10-5 and keeping them mathematically in the playoff picture. Kansas City fell to 5-10.

“All I could think of was Joe Namath throwing six (interceptions), and I was one behind him,” Elway said. “Kansas City made some good plays, and I made some bad throws and bad decisions. You have to try to stay poised and tough.

“This should be a great learning experience for me. It gave me a chance to really suck it up, hang in there and bounce back. If I play this game as long as I want to, this is not the last time I’ll have a day like this.”

Denver Coach Dan Reeves said the game was “a great example of a football team not willing to be denied, patting each other on the back and supporting each other. I’m extremely pleased with the way we hung together.”

As for the playoff picture, Reeves said, “We still have a chance. We know that at least two teams are going to have to win next week if we can win in Seattle.”

The New York Jets’ 19-6 loss to Chicago on Saturday means Denver can earn a playoff spot by winning next week and having the Jets lose to Cleveland. Miami and New England meet on Monday night, and the loser of that game would be in the same playoff situation as the Jets. Denver also could win the AFC West by beating Seattle next week and having the division-leading Los Angeles Raiders drop their last two games.

“Our team played as hard and as tough as we can,” Chief Coach John Mackovic said. “We fought to the bitter end. As far as heart, this was our best performance.”

An interception by Chief cornerback Albert Lewis, his second of the game, set up Todd Blackledge’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Stephone Paige with 6:59 left, putting the Chiefs ahead 13-7.

Denver had two subsequent series in which to reclaim the lead. Elway completed five passes on a drive that reached the Chief 8-yard line with 2:30 left, but rookie running back Steve Sewell fumbled a pitchout and Kansas City’s Calvin Daniels recovered.

The Chiefs punted on their next series, and Elway, booed by the hometown crowd, went to work again. His 42-yard pass to Steve Watson moved Denver to the Kansas City 17. Seven plays later, Winder went over the top for the tying touchdown with 22 seconds left, and Rich Karlis produced the margin of victory with his extra point.

Elway’s 11-yard touchdown pass to rookie Vance Johnson had staked Denver to a 7-3 halftime lead. But Elway was intercepted two times in the third period and two more times in the final quarter, and the Chiefs took advantage.

Nick Lowery’s 41-yard field goal made it 7-6 early in the third quarter. Lewis’ final theft, which he returned six yards to the Denver 28, was followed five plays later by the Paige touchdown.

Kansas City scored first, marching 45 yards in eight plays for Lowery’s 32-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. Blackledge passed 22 yards to Carlos Carson to get the drive started.

Elway promptly marched Denver down the field. The Broncos reached the 3, but cornerback Greg Hill stepped in front of Watson in the end zone for the Chiefs’ first interception.

Later in the second period, the Broncos went 85 yards in 13 plays, with Elway beating the blitz and drilling a touchdown strike to Johnson over the middle.

Blackledge hit Paige on a 34-yard pass to set up Lowery’s third-quarter field goal.

Elway then was intercepted on four straight Bronco possessions--the first three in Chiefs’ territory. On the final one, with 9:10 left, Lewis timed a pass intended for Clint Sampson along the right sideline, intercepted at the Denver 34 and returned it to the 28, setting the stage for the Chiefs’ go-ahead score.