Chiefs secure ninth consecutive AFC West championship with 19-17 win over Chargers on a deflected field goal.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a thrilling finish, Matthew Wright secured a 31-yard field goal that ricocheted off the left upright as the clock hit zero, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. This win marks the Chiefs’ ninth consecutive AFC West title, a significant achievement for the franchise.

Patrick Mahomes once again showcased his leadership by guiding the defending Super Bowl champions (now at 12-1) on a crucial 4.5-minute drive, which culminated in Wright’s decisive kick. The lead-up to the field goal felt almost routine until the ball hit the upright, accentuating Kansas City’s tendency to survive close encounters. Remarkably, the Chiefs have now triumphed in 10 games this season by just one score.

With this latest victory, the Chiefs have notched nine straight division titles, just two shy of tying the NFL record of 11 established by the New England Patriots.

The game started favorably for Kansas City, as they went into halftime with a comfortable 13-0 lead, largely thanks to the Chargers’ (8-5) struggles, which saw them punting on their initial six possessions. However, the second half saw a resurgence from Los Angeles, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, who managed to score on each of their three drives. A 37-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker allowed the Chargers to take the lead at 17-16 with 4:35 remaining in the game.

In response, Mahomes orchestrated a critical drive, including a key 14-yard completion to Xavier Worthy on a third-and-10, as well as a scramble that secured another first down. Following the two-minute warning, Mahomes continued to evade defenders and ultimately connected with a kneeling Travis Kelce, effectively allowing the Chiefs to run out the clock and seal their victory.