NFL-Manning returns to help Broncos earn AFC top seed

* Broncos and Patriots top two seeds in AFC * Steelers edge Jets for wild card spot * Panthers lock up NFC top seed (updates after late afternoon games) Jan 4 (Reuters) - Quarterback Peyton Manning came off the bench to help the Denver Broncos grab the top playoff seed in the AFC with a victory over San Diego Chargers on the final day of the National Football League regular season on Sunday. Manning, returning from injury after being out for seven weeks with a foot injury, rallied Denver for 20 second-half points on the way to a 27-20 home win over the Chargers. The result was huge for the 12-4 Broncos, who would have missed out on a first-round bye had they lost. Instead, they will have a week off along with the New England Patriots (12-4), who were relegated to second seeds after losing 20-10 to the Miami Dolphins. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 28-12 to sneak into the playoffs as a wild card when the New York Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills. The Jets controlled their own fate, with a win guaranteeing them a spot in the playoffs, but quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed his third interception of the game in the final minute to gift the Bills a 22-17 victory. The result, coupled with Pittsburgh's win over Cleveland, left both teams with 10-6 records but the Steelers advanced on the tiebreaker. The Houston Texans (9-7) claimed their third AFC South title in five years with a 30-6 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans will host wild card Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) in the first round, while the Steelers will visit the Cincinnati Bengals (12-4). In the NFC, the Carolina Panthers (15-1) locked up the top seed and home field advantage, while the Arizona Cardinals (13-3) have the other first-round bye. The Minnesota Vikings wrestled the NFC North title from the Green Bay Packers with a 20-13 victory in the season finale. As a result, the Vikings (11-5) will host the Seattle Seahawks (10-6) and the Packers (10-6) will visit the Washington Redskins (9-7) in the first round. (Reporting by Tim Wharnsby in Toronto; Editing by Andrew Both/John O'Brien)