Denver erupted for 17 first quarter points Sunday and rolled to a 34-17 win over the New York Jets.

In the big spurt, Vernon Fox scored on a 23-yard fumble return, Jay Cutler threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal and Matt Prater kicked the first of his two field goals.

From a 17-7 advantage, Denver's defense was able to prevent New York from making a momentum-changing rally.

Cutler completed 27-of-43 passes for 357 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Peyton Hillis scored once on 22 carries for 129 yards, while Brandon Stokley also scored once for the Broncos (7-5), who bounced back from an embarrassing 31-10 home loss last Sunday to the lowly Oakland Raiders.

New York's Brett Favre went 23-of-43 for 247 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

Thomas Jones scored twice after 16 carries for 138 yards for the AFC East-leading Jets (8-4), who lead both New England and Miami by one game.