Denver Broncos Clinch AFC West Title, Texans Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Win Over Chargers
The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 to clinch the AFC West title, ending the Chiefs' dominant run atop the division. This marks the Broncos' first division title since 2015, the same year they last won the Super Bowl. Prior to this season, the Chiefs had won the AFC West every year since 2016.
In another AFC matchup, the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16, keeping Houston in playoff contention within the AFC South. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw two early touchdown passes, connecting for a 75-yard score to Jayden Higgins and a 43-yard score to Jaylin Noel. Stroud finished the game completing 16 of 28 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards but threw an interception at the goal line and was sacked five times. The Chargers' offense included a five-yard rushing touchdown by Omarion Hampton in the fourth quarter. A missed field goal by Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker in the first half also contributed to their defeat. The Chargers never regained possession after Hampton's fourth-quarter touchdown.
As a result of the Texans' victory, the Indianapolis Colts were eliminated from playoff contention despite starting the season with a promising 7-1 record.
