NFL news: Chargers’ loss is the Broncos’ gain
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The Denver Broncos officially ended the reign of the Kansas City Chiefs when the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 in the AFC West on Saturday.
The Broncos picked up a victory over the Chiefs on Thursday night and received the bonus gift of a loss to the Chargers. This was Denver’s first division title since the 2015 season and also the last time the team won the Super Bowl.
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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix walks onto the field to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City had won the league championship every year since the 2016 season, when Alex Smith was still the starting quarterback. The Chiefs’ winning ways continued as Smith passed the torch to Patrick Mahomes. This year the Chiefs have looked bad on both sides of the ball. In addition to Kansas City’s inability to win close games, injuries also had an impact. The team dropped to 6-10 with the loss to Denver.
With the win, the Texans remained in contention for the AFC South title. CJ Stroud scored two big goals in the first quarter; 75 yards to Jayden Higgins and 43 yards to Jaylin Noel.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (left) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Nico Collins during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Kevork Cansezian)
Houston’s defense was able to stop Justin Herbert long enough to win the game. Herbert made a goal-line interception in the second quarter to end their threat. When Los Angeles forced a turnover on Houston’s next drive, the Chargers failed to get points on the board again after Cameron Dicker missed a field goal attempt.
The Chargers made it a game in the second half, with Herbert throwing a touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden in the third quarter and Omarion Hampton finding the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The Chargers never got the ball back after the Hampton score.
Herbert was 21/32 with 236 passing yards and one interception. He was dismissed five times.
Stroud was 16-of-28 for 244 yards, two touchdown passes and two interceptions.
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Houston’s win 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 went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.
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