Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs continue to dominate the AFC West.
The Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, 19-17, on Sunday night. It’s Kansas City’s seventh consecutive win over the Chargers. The Chiefs’ victory clinched the franchise its ninth straight AFC West title. It’s the second-longest division title streak in NFL history, only trailing the New England Patriots’ 11 consecutive AFC East crowns.
Sunday’s victory improved the Chiefs record to 51-8 against AFC West opponents since 2015.
The Chiefs, who currently own the No. 1 seed in the AFC, control their own destiny with four regular-season games remaining.
Here are the winners and losers from the primetime AFC West battle:
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WINNERS
Chiefs
The back-to-back Super Bowl champions have been on top of the AFC West for nine years. They might be able to break the NFL record for most consecutive division titles at this rate.
Home-field advantage for Kansas City
The Chiefs are two games ahead of the Bills (10-3) after Buffalo was upset by the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Buffalo still owns the head-to-head tiebreaker should the two teams tie, but it’s looking more and more like the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC is going to go through Kansas City.
Chiefs defense
The Chiefs defense deserves game balls. They held the Chargers scoreless in the first half.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense found some life after halftime, but were ultimately held to 17 points.
Herbert was pressured routinely in the first and second quarters. He missed one play in the second period after a big hit.
The Chiefs sacked Herbert three times and had seven QB hits.
Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton had two sacks. Cornerback Trent McDuffie tallied two pass deflections.
Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco’s numbers weren’t impressive, but the Chiefs are a better offense with the running back in the backfield.
Pacheco earned hard yards and was tough to bring to the ground. He amassed 55 yards on 14 carries.
Matthew Wright
Wright has shown that’s he’s a trustable kicker with Harrison Butker (calf) on injured reserve.
Wright made all four of his field goals Sunday night, including the game-winning 31-yard field goal.
The game-winning field, however, banged off the upright.
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes deserves a shoutout for managing the game successfully while under duress.
With under two minutes remaining, Mahomes made the play of the game when he ran to the right, made Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley miss and found tight end Travis Kelce for a 9-yard play. The play resulted in a first down and Kansas City was able to milk the clock for the game-winning field goal.
Mahomes went 24-of-37 passing for 210 yards to go with one touchdown.
LOSERS
Trey Pipkins, Chargers interior O-line
Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are linchpins at left and right tackle, but the interior of the Chargers’ offensive line is an issue.
Pipkins allowed constant pressure at right guard. Chris Jones and the Chiefs’ defensive line had their way with left guard Zion Johnson, center Bradley Bozeman and Pipkins. Herbert was forced out briefly after a big hit in the second quarter. He was under duress for much of the game.
Chargers first half offense
The Chargers missed running back J.K. Dobbins and wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
Los Angeles was held scoreless and had just six first downs in the first half.
It was the third time in Herbert’s career that he was shut out in the first half.
Chargers, Broncos and Raiders
The Chiefs have now won the AFC West in nine consecutive seasons. It’s the second-longest division title streak in NFL history.
As mentioned above, the Chiefs have a 51-8 record against AFC West opponents since 2015.
The Chiefs have been on top of the AFC West for nearly a decade. That’s an inditement on the Chargers, Broncos and Raiders.