### Denver Broncos Clinch AFC West Title, Ending Chiefs' Dominance After a Decade The Denver Broncos have officially secured their first AFC West title in ten years, a significant achievement that marks the end of the Kansas City Chiefs' nine-year reign over the division. This milestone was confirmed following the Houston Texans' narrow victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, which solidified the Broncos' position at the top of the division with a record of 13-3. The Broncos are now poised to host the Chargers in the upcoming week, a game that will be crucial for their playoff positioning as they aim for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. This victory not only highlights the Broncos' resurgence but also sets the stage for a competitive playoff run as they look to reclaim their status in the league [https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-afc-west-chiefs-texans-c5e74c883f1dfe6ff2da88b950b7f7c4][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-win-afc-west-first-013558292.html]. ### Breakdown of the Broncos' AFC West Championship Victory 1. **Historical Context** - The Broncos last won the AFC West in 2015, making this victory particularly significant after a prolonged period of struggle. - The Chiefs had dominated the division for nearly a decade, making the Broncos' triumph a notable shift in the AFC West landscape [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yes-real-broncos-win-afc-110000919.html]. 2. **Key Game Outcomes** - The Broncos secured their title after the Texans defeated the Chargers 20-16, which eliminated the Chargers from contention for the division title [https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2025-12-27/chargers-afc-west-title-hopes-shattered-in-loss-to-texans]. - The Broncos' recent victory over the Chiefs on Christmas Day (20-13) was pivotal in setting up this championship scenario [https://inews.zoombangla.com/broncos-grind-past-chiefs-fortify-afc-control-in-christmas-clash]. 3. **Playoff Implications** - With the division title secured, the Broncos are now focused on clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, which would grant them home-field advantage [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kings-afc-west-broncos-set-120000560.html]. - A win against the Chargers in their next game will ensure they secure the top seed in the playoff bracket [https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/27/broncos-win-afc-west-title-first-since-2015]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Broncos' Achievement - **Season Record**: The Broncos currently hold a record of 13-3, showcasing their strong performance throughout the season [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-clinch-first-afc-west-003634493.html]. - **Recent Performance**: The Broncos have demonstrated resilience, notably defeating the Chiefs, which was their first win at Arrowhead Stadium since 2015 [https://apnews.com/article/broncos-analysis-afc-west-nix-payton-7d2996427c096ff77c7bf1baa7fd916a]. - **Division Dynamics**: The Chargers' loss to the Texans was a critical turning point that allowed the Broncos to clinch the title without needing to play their final game against the Chargers with the same stakes [https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/27/broncos-win-afc-west-title-first-since-2015]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for the Broncos In summary, the Denver Broncos have successfully reclaimed the AFC West title, ending a decade-long drought and the Chiefs' dominance in the division. This victory not only signifies a return to form for the Broncos but also sets them up for a promising playoff run. The upcoming game against the Chargers will be crucial as they aim to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Broncos' journey this season reflects a significant turnaround, and fans are hopeful for a deep playoff run as they look to build on this momentum [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/broncos-clinch-first-afc-west-003634493.html][https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/27/broncos-win-afc-west-title-first-since-2015].