Chiefs Eliminated, Mahomes Out: What It Means for the Broncos and the AFC West Landscape
The Kansas City Chiefs’ run of dominance in the AFC has officially come to a halt. After a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, Kansas City has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Sitting at 6-9, there’s no path forward - no late-season push, no wildcard miracle. And with that, one of the NFL’s most consistent powerhouses over the last decade is out of the picture.
But the real gut punch came with the news that Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during the game. The injury not only ended his season but also sealed the Chiefs’ fate in the most definitive way possible. Gardner Minshew stepped in under center and immediately threw a game-sealing interception - a moment that felt like the symbolic end of an era in Kansas City.
This isn’t just a loss for the Chiefs. It’s a seismic shift for the entire AFC, and especially for the Denver Broncos.
A Power Shift in the AFC West
Let’s not understate this: the Chiefs missing the playoffs is a major development for the Broncos. Kansas City has been the roadblock in the division for years, ever since Denver’s Super Bowl 50 victory.
From Mahomes’ rise to Andy Reid’s offensive wizardry, the Chiefs have been the gold standard in the AFC West. Now, with their season officially over and Mahomes sidelined, the door is wide open.
The Broncos, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton, suddenly find themselves in prime position to take the crown. With the Chiefs out of the running, Denver’s path to locking up the AFC West is clearer than it’s been in years. This isn’t just about one game or one season - it’s about a changing of the guard.
Christmas Day Just Got a Whole Lot Simpler for Denver
The timing of Mahomes’ injury couldn’t be more impactful for Denver. The Broncos are set to travel to Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day to face the Chiefs, but now they’ll be facing a Kansas City team that’s not only out of the playoff hunt, but also without its MVP quarterback.
That changes everything.
Instead of preparing for a high-stakes showdown with Mahomes under the lights, the Broncos now face a depleted Chiefs roster with nothing left to play for. Kansas City may opt to rest other key starters as well, knowing their season is done and 2026 is already on the horizon. For Denver, that means a golden opportunity to notch another win and solidify their standing atop the division.
The End of an Era, the Start of Something New?
It’s hard to overstate how much this moment shifts the AFC landscape. The last time the Chiefs weren’t in the postseason mix, Andrew Luck was still leading the Colts, and the Broncos were defending champions. That feels like a lifetime ago.
Now, the Broncos are in the driver’s seat. The Chiefs are out.
Mahomes is on the shelf. And the AFC West, for the first time in a long time, feels like it belongs to someone else.
Whether this is a one-year blip for Kansas City or the beginning of a longer transition period remains to be seen. But for now, Denver is in control - and that Christmas Day matchup just became a whole lot more meaningful for the Broncos and their fans.
The AFC West has a new look, and the Broncos are ready to take center stage.