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The Denver Broncos officially ended the Kansas City Chiefs’ reign atop the AFC West on Saturday when the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-16.
The Broncos picked up a win over the Chiefs on Thursday night and received the extra gift of a Chargers loss.
It is Denver’s first division title since the 2015 season, which was also the last time the team won the Super Bowl.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix goes out looking to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half on 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’ victory continued. This year, the Chiefs have looked out of sorts on both sides of the ball. Injuries had 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 stayed in contention for the AFC South title with the 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/Kevork Djansezian)
Houston’s defense blocked Justin Herbert enough to win the game. Herbert threw a goal-line interception in the second quarter to end his threat. When Los Angeles forced a turnover on Houston’s ensuing drive, the Chargers failed to score points again after Cameron Dicker missed a field goal attempt.
The Chargers turned the game around 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 pass in the fourth. The Chargers never got the ball back after Hampton’s score.
Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards and one interception. He was fired five times.
Stroud was 16 of 28 for 244 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions.
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Houston’s victory also meant that the Indianapolis Colts were eliminated from playoff contention. The Colts started the season 7-1, but haven’t won a game since Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
