During the Chargers' Monday Night Football showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14, ESPN cameras panned to a group of Broncos fans cheering on Philly's squad against Denver's division rival. “Wonder if they got lost tonight?” Troy Aikman quipped during the broadcast.

The Broncos control their own destiny in the playoff race, in regards to clinching a playoff berth, securing the AFC West and earning the top overall seed in the conference.

Freeman originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Broncos in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oregon. The 6-foot, 238-pound bruiser played his first three seasons for the Broncos, for whom he ran for 1,187 yards (4.0 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns.

But Payton and staff watched Mahomes throw two picks in the fourth quarter, and Houston take control in a 20-10 win. And that solidified it, a steady bleed after the Broncos beat the Chiefs 22-19 in mid-November: Kansas City has been mathematically eliminated from winning their division.

Chargers head into Sunday’s Chiefs matchup with mixed injury news, as key availability questions come into focus.

If not, he will hit free agency and there would likely be significant interest in an athletic tight end who is only 25 years old. The Broncos have Evan Engram, but he will turn 32 years old in September. Both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull will be free agents for the Broncos, so a big upgrade should be considered here.

The Los Angeles Chargers will be facing frigid temperatures in Kansas City. They have adjusted schedules and made preparations for weather and travel.

Justin Herbert shared encouraging updates on his repaired hand ahead of Sunday’s crucial game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos can't clinch the AFC West in Week 15, but they could boost their odds of capturing No. 1 seed with win vs. Green Bay.