Elam is a former University of Hawai'i standout.

The Vikings (8-8) needed a win and a Washington loss to top-seeded Dallas to sneak into the playoffs, but neither the Redskins nor the Broncos (7-9) obliged. Washington easily beat the Cowboys, resting several of their starters.

Minnesota, which scored 16 points in the final 5:18 to erase a 19-3 deficit, won the overtime coin flip, but on the Vikings' second snap, Tavaris Jackson was sacked and fumbled.

Elvis Dumervil recovered at the Minnesota 12, and the Broncos' field goal unit rushed onto the field for their fourth game-winner of the season just as the snow began falling, a slight consolation for a team that endured its first losing season since 1999.

With the playoffs out of his reach, Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson settled for the NFC rushing title. He gained 36 yards on 11 carries. Despite his fourth straight sub-par performance, his 1,341 yards edged Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook by eight yards.

The Vikings trailed 19-3 in the closing minutes before Jackson hooked up with Bobby Wade for two scores. The first one was from 5 yards out and came with 5:18 remaining, after which Jackson scrambled for the 2-pointer.

After the Broncos went three-and-out, Jackson found Wade all alone for a 22-yard score with 2:21 left, then circled into the end zone himself to tie it at 19.

Peterson didn't see any action until Chester Taylor and Miwelde Moore had split snaps on Minnesota's first drive, which ended with Taylor fumbling just as he was about to punch it onto the right pylon.

Taylor's second fumble led to a touchdown that gave Denver a 14-3 halftime lead.

Despite pulling out the victory, the Broncos will be glad to see this year end. Although they've had worse win-loss records, this was unquestionably the worst year in their history.

It began with the New Year's Day drive-by slaying of cornerback Darrent Williams, which was followed two months later by the death of running back Damien Nash, who collapsed after a charity basketball game in St. Louis.

The Broncos dedicated the season to their fallen teammates and retooled their roster with designs on contending for a championship. Injuries, inconsistency and an inability to grasp new defensive boss Jim Bates' system doomed the Broncos to what coach Mike Shanahan called his toughest year since taking over 13 years ago.

This might have been the final game for safety John Lynch, who is pondering retirement after 15 NFL seasons. Rod Smith, the franchise leader in receptions and touchdowns, might need hip replacement surgery next month when he undergoes his second operation in a year, one that could end his illustrious 13-year career.

Brandon Marshall had a solid season and on Sunday caught 10 passes for 114 yards in becoming the third second-year player in NFL history to top 100 catches in a season.

Vikings wide receiver Troy Williamson dropped two passes, including one when he was wide open for what would have been a 72-yard touchdown. He beat Dre' Bly and was 12 yards behind the closest defender when the ball went through his hands and bounced off his shoulder pads at the 23. Williams also allowed a potential first-down pass to bounce off his chest in the third quarter.

After the Vikings failed to score on the opening drive thanks to Taylor's fumble, they curiously lined up without any running backs on third-and-2 from the Denver 4, then settled for Ryan Longwell's 22-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Marshall's first catch was a leaping 15-yard touchdown that put Denver ahead 7-3, and Jay Cutler added a 2-yard touchdown toss to tight end Tony Scheffler to make it 14-3.