Here’s a bold statement: Despite trailing in the AFC West standings, Patrick Mahomes believes the Kansas City Chiefs can still reclaim their division title—and he might just be onto something. But here’s where it gets controversial: With the Chiefs sitting at 5-4 entering Week 11, behind both the Chargers (7-3) and the Broncos (8-2), many are questioning if their nine-year reign as division champions is finally over. And this is the part most people miss: Mahomes isn’t just relying on hope—he’s banking on the team’s proven track record and upcoming divisional matchups to turn the tide.
The Chiefs’ Week 5 loss to Jacksonville has left them on the outside of the AFC playoff picture for now, but Mahomes remains confident. Under head coach Andy Reid, the team has secured nine consecutive AFC West titles, a streak that began two years before Mahomes took the helm as starting quarterback. This history of dominance is likely fueling his optimism.
‘Winning the division is always our first goal,’ Mahomes explained. ‘Coach Reid makes it clear from day one—win the division. We know it’s a challenge, especially when you’re up against top-tier teams that study you all season. We’ve excelled at this for nearly a decade, but we can’t rest on past success. We need to keep improving.’
Here’s the kicker: The Chiefs’ remaining schedule is packed with divisional games, starting with a crucial matchup against the first-place Broncos in Denver this weekend. Historically, Mahomes has dominated the Broncos, winning 13 out of 14 games against them. In those matchups, he’s thrown for 3,771 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also rushing for 196 yards and two scores. But this time, the stakes are higher than ever.
‘This game is massive,’ Mahomes admitted. ‘It’s not just another divisional game—it’s a must-win if we want to stay in the race. But we’re taking it one day at a time. We’ll focus on having a great week of practice and then go out and play our best football. If we do that, I truly believe we can beat anyone.’
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: A loss on Sunday could be devastating. With the Broncos holding the tiebreaker, falling four games behind them would make catching up nearly impossible. ‘You can’t afford to look past this week,’ Mahomes said. ‘We still have tough opponents ahead, but if we play our best, I know we can come out on top.’
So, here’s the question for you: Do the Chiefs have what it takes to overcome their current deficit and reclaim the AFC West title? Or is their dynasty finally coming to an end? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
