The Broncos ended the Chiefs' nine-year run atop the AFC West, clinching the division title Saturday after the Chargers lost to the Texans.

A skirmish breaks out in between Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers players after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) from Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) in the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. Emily Curiel [email protected]

The Los Angeles Chargers eliminate the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention with a 16-13 victory on Sunday, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tearing the ACL in his left knee

Early in the fourth quarter, , with Los Angeles up three but Kansas City driving, the Chiefs and Chargers got into a scuffle after Tony Jefferson laid a big hit on Tyquan Thornton. The Chiefs wide receiver went to haul in a pass, but Jefferson then hit Thornton in the head, resulting in a penalty.

Down 13-3 late in the opening half, the Chargers put together a quick 60-yard touchdown drive in the final minute that ended with a 16-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the first score of the rookie's career.

Chargers safety Tony Jefferson, who was ejected for a questionable hit on a Chiefs player earlier this month, made it be known he was rooting for KC.

Derwin James Jr. intercepts a pass from Gardner Minshew to seal the Chargers' 16-13 win over the Chiefs, eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention.

However, before the Chiefs return to the field against the Raiders, they will need to wait for the NFL 's decision on an incident from the Broncos game. This comes in the form of an unnecessary roughness penalty on second-year tackle Kingsley Suamataia.

Jim Harbaugh nets himself a second consecutive $1-million bonus after crushing the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff dreams