Chiefs clinch ninth straight AFC West division crown with win over Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) continue to reign over the AFC West.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, 19-17, on "Sunday Night Football." It’s the team’s seventh consecutive win over the Chargers, and the victory clinched the franchise its ninth straight AFC West title.

It’s the second-longest division title streak in NFL history, trailing only that of the New England Patriots, who won 11 consecutive AFC East crowns between 2009 and 2019.

Since 2015, the Chiefs have a 51-8 record against AFC West opponents.

The Chiefs became the first NFL team to clinch a playoff berth last week. Overall, Kansas City has reached the postseason 10 years in a row.

“I think when you clinch a playoff spot – that’s your first goal is to get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to go for that Super Bowl,” Mahomes said after the team earned a playoff spot. “We know we have a long way to go. We have to continue to work to get better to continue to be a better football team going into the playoffs.”

The Chiefs are currently the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The back-to-back Super Bowl champions are trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. They have played in four Super Bowls over the past five seasons.

The Chiefs have reached the AFC title game for six straight years.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs clinch AFC West with win over Chargers; near NFL record