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The Denver Broncos officially ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ reign at the top of the AFC West on Saturday when the Houston Texans dominated the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-16.
The Broncos picked up a win against the Chiefs on Thursday night and received the bonus gift of a Chargers loss.
This is Denver’s first division title since the 2015 season, which is also the last time the team won the Super Bowl.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City had won the division title every year since the 2016 season, when Alex Smith was still the starting quarterback. After Smith passed the torch to Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ winning ways continued. This year, the Chiefs were out of shape on both sides of the ball. Injuries have a lot to do with it. Kansas City also failed to win close games. The team fell to 6-10 with its loss to Denver.
The Texans remained in contention for the AFC South title with this victory. CJ Stroud had two big touchdown passes in the first quarter, a 75-yarder to Jayden Higgins and a 43-yarder to Jaylin Noel.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins, left, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Nico Collins during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Kévork Djansezian)
Houston’s defense thwarted Justin Herbert enough to win the game. Herbert threw a goal-line interception in the second quarter to end their threat. When Los Angeles forced a turnover on Houston’s next drive, the Chargers failed to put points on the board again after Cameron Dicker missed a field goal try.
The Chargers pulled within a game in the second half when Herbert threw a touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden in the third quarter and Omarion Hampton found the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth. The Chargers never got the ball back after Hampton’s score.
Herbert was 21 of 32 passing for 236 yards and one interception. He was sacked five times.
Stroud finished 16 of 28 for 244 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
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Houston’s victory also meant that the Indianapolis Colts were eliminated from the playoffs. The Colts started the season 7-1, but haven’t won a game since Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.
