There’s a two-game difference between the Chargers and Broncos right now, with the Chargers 4-0 in the AFC West and the Broncos 3-1. The Chargers are one of just two teams to beat the Broncos this year, a 23-20 Los Angeles win at home for the Chargers.

The Denver Broncos have finally knocked the Kansas City Chiefs from their throne in the AFC West. After falling behind in every game this season, the Broncos (11-2) never trailed in cruising past the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 on Sunday for their 10th consecutive victory.

Each week of the NFL season, I’ll grade each AFC West team’s performance with a report card that tells the truth. Offense, defense, and overall performance will be measured accordingly. My grades aren’t about the box scores,

The Chiefs' AFC West run may be ending in 2025. Here's a look at the latest playoff odds, updated AFC playoff picture and remaining schedule.

With their loss to the Texans, the Chiefs have been mathematically eliminated from divisional contention. That ends a run of nine consecutive divisional titles for Kansas City. The streak started in 2016, two seasons before Patrick Mahomes took over as the team’s starting quarterback.

The Chiefs entered 2025 with a chance to keep their AFC West title streak alive. But the Texans have ended the long run.

Midway through the 2025 NFL season, the Denver Broncos are sitting in first place in the AFC West with a 7-2 record. The Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) defeated the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but they're still a game behind Denver. The Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) lost to the Buffalo Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But Payton and staff watched Mahomes throw two picks in the fourth quarter, and Houston take control in a 20-10 win. And that solidified it, a steady bleed after the Broncos beat the Chiefs 22-19 in mid-November: Kansas City has been mathematically eliminated from winning their division.