Before the Denver Broncos received Ryan Succop’s opening kickoff, seven of the 10 playoff scenarios that would’ve got them into the playoffs were by the wayside thanks to earlier wins by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans. But their best one was still well alive. That’s until Kyle Orton played catch with Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson.

Johnson’s two interception returns for touchdowns ended all hopes that the Broncos had of making it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Despite a 2-7 stretch entering Sunday’s season finale at Invesco Field, Denver still had a chance. But Kansas City’s 44-24 victory, which included the game’s final 17 points, sent the crowd home early and left Denver wondering what happened after a 6-0 start to the season.

Three observations from Sunday’s defeat:

1. Charles In Charge.
As has been the case in recent weeks, Denver had no answers in stopping the run. This time it was Jamaal Charles.

The Kansas City back gutted Denver’s defense for 259 yards and two touchdowns. His final score, a 56-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, was the exclamation point. Charles had a 52-yard run in the first quarter and more than 100 yards by halftime for his fourth straight 100-yard game. All that on just eight carries.

Like in weeks past, be it the Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall, the Ravens’ Ray Rice or the Raiders’ Michael Bush, Denver couldn’t stop the run. That was the case again Sunday. Unfortunately, this time, a playoff spot ran out the door in the process.

2. Brandon Who?
No Brandon Marshall, no Eddie Royal and no Tony Scheffler. No biggie. Jabar Gaffney had the biggest game of his career by halftime. The former Florida standout had a career-high 10 receptions for 145 yards in the first two quarters.

Marshall and Scheffler were benched by head coach Josh McDaniels earlier in the week and Royal

was unable to go with a neck injury. But Gaffney stepped up, finishing with 14 catches for 213 yards. Unfortunately, nobody else, like has been the case most of the season when Marshall was playing, was able to compliment Gaffney’s play. Yes, Brandon Stokley caught a TD pass and Brandon Lloyd had a big 44-yard gain, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep Kansas City’s defense at bay.

Orton was picked off three times.

3. Take Your Pick, Twice
Sure, Lloyd had a few catches, including that 44-yarder that set up Knowshon Moreno’s 1-yard score in the third quarter, but Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson looked more comfortable catching the ball than most of Denver’s wide receivers.

Johnson’s two pick-six scores -- the first two touchdowns of his career, including a 60-yard with 9 minutes, 52 seconds left in the fourth -- left the Mile High City stadium eerily quiet. It gave Kansas City a 13-point lead and sapped any life out of Denver’s faint playoff hopes.

A win and the Broncos would’ve had a shot at the AFC playoffs at least until the New York Jets played later Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. A Bengals win would’ve gotten Denver in. But Derrick Johnson and the Broncos’ own inept play made that point moot.

-- MICHAEL HICKS