DENVER (AP) -- Reduced to the role of spoiler, the Denver Broncos played the part perfectly, with plenty of drama at the end.

	Denver's Chris Watson, right, celebrates with Dale Carter after his 81-yard punt return produced the game's first touchdown.

Withstanding a furious Seattle Seahawks' rally that produced a tie in regulation, the Broncos prevailed 36-30 on linebacker Glenn Cadrez's 37-yard fumble return 2:43 into overtime on Sunday.

On third-and-4 from the Denver 47-yard line, cornerback Ray Crockett blitzed Seattle quarterback Jon Kitna, sacking him and forcing a fumble that Cadrez scooped up for the winning score.

It was only the second overtime game in NFL history to be decided by a fumble return for a touchdown. The other occurred in 1983 when Baltimore edged New England.

With the victory, the Broncos (5-9) damaged the playoff hopes of the Seahawks (8-6), who sustained their fourth consecutive loss. Seattle fell one game behind Kansas City in the AFC West with two games remaining; the Seahawks and Chiefs play next Sunday in Seattle.

"It's a very, very tough pill to swallow," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "I don't know where (Crockett) came from or what happened. I know they hit it just right, and Jon was not looking in that direction.

"The season is not over, but bouncing back from a loss like this is a challenge. It is sudden death now in our game next week with Kansas City, but it would have been regardless of which way this one ended. Next week's game, I would say, is for the division."

GAME NOTES

Olandis Gary's 183 rushing yards were the most ever by a Denver rookie and tied Otis Armstrong for the sixth-highest single-game performance in Broncos' history. Jason Elam kicked three extra points, breaking a tie with Jim Turner and giving him the most PATs in club history (286). Elam scored 12 points, eclipsing 100 points for the seventh consecutive season. Denver now is 5-1 against Seattle in overtime games. Seattle has made 14 turnovers in its last four games. The Seahawks reported no significant injuries. Denver lost fullback Howard Griffith (sprained left ankle) and offensive tackle Tony Jones (right triceps). Defensive tackle Trevor Pryce strained his left knee in the second quarter but returned.

Kitna called it "the hardest way to lose. I was just getting ready to throw to Mike Pritchard when I got hit. Obviously, I didn't see him (Crockett)."

Rookie Olandis Gary ran for a career-high 183 yards, including a momentum-turning 71-yard romp with three minutes left that helped the Broncos take a seemingly secure 30-20 lead with 1:47 left in regulation. Gary's long run set up Brian Griese's 9-yard scoring pass to tight end Dwayne Carswell.

The Seahawks responded with a desperation rally. Kitna threw a 36-yard scoring pass to Derrick Mayes with 54 seconds left. Seattle's Kerry Joseph recovered the ensuing onside kick, setting up Todd Peterson's 45-yard field goal with nine seconds left.

Denver won the coin toss in overtime, but was unable to gain a first down, and Seattle began moving, with Kitna completing a 17-yard pass to Sean Dawkins on third down. Three plays later, however, Crockett jarred the ball loose from Kitna.

"When you get a chance to blitz, that's the first thing you want to do -- go for the ball," Crockett said. "We had to make a play there."

"I told our players they were trying to kill me," said Denver coach Mike Shanahan, referring to his team's tendency to play close games this season. "It's tough when you think you have the game put away. Give Seattle credit for fighting their way back. Fortunately, we were able to hold them off."

Jason Elam kicked two field goals in the third period, countering one by Peterson, to give Denver a 23-17 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Elam missed a 45-yarder early in the final period, however, and Seattle cornerback Willie Williams intercepted a pass with 8:40 left, setting up Peterson's 32-yard field goal with 3:41 left, cutting Denver's lead to 23-20.

On the next play, Gary burst off the left side and was finally hauled down by Shawn Springs at the Seattle 14.

The game opened with some fireworks, too.

Chris Watson's 81-yard punt return barely two minutes into the game helped give Denver a 17-14 halftime lead.

Watson caught Jeff Feagles' punt at the Denver 19, sprinted to his left and then cut upfield behind blocks by Anthony Lynn and Crockett for a touchdown with 12:51 left in the opening quarter.

Seattle tied it just 2:08 later. Ricky Watters had a 22-yard run, and Kitna passed 26 yards to Derrick Mayes before Kitna hit Pritchard on a 16-yard scoring pass.

Denver responded with a 10-play, 74-yard scoring drive. Gary had back-to-back runs of 12 and 14 yards, and Rod Smith made a leaping, 14-yard touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone.

Both teams squandered scoring chances early in the third quarter -- on Kitna's fumble and Griese's end-zone interception.

Elam kicked a 28-yard field goal midway through the second period, but his kickoff then was short and was returned 61 yards by Joseph to the Denver 21. Six players later, Watters scored from the 1.

Kitna was 22-for-42 for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Griese was 20-for-39 for 180 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

Watters ran for 115 yards on 16 carries.