The Denver Broncos sealed their first AFC West title in a decade, ending the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-year reign at the top of their division. As the title became official, some players were more excited about the fall of Patrick Mahomes & Co. rather than their own achievement. And defensive end Jonathon Cooper is one of them.

“F— the Chiefs,” and “Bi— made a– pansies,” he wrote in a series of deleted tweets.

He tweeted it at 1:44 am on December 28. While it may have been a bit too much, Cooper’s contempt for the Chiefs is not unfounded. Anyone who was on the Broncos team since 2021 and lost to the Kansas City team six times would hate them. Plus, KC reigned over the AFC West for almost a decade. They also represented the division in each of the last three Super Bowls, but early this season, it became clear that their yearly playoff runs were coming to an end.

And those who had been waiting for the Chiefs‘ downfall couldn’t have been happier.

The Chiefs were earlier 6-5 before going on a five-game losing streak that knocked them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014. But their woes barely ended there. The team also lost its star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, to a season-ending ACL injury, which also raises questions about his availability for the next season.

On the other hand, the Broncos were already riding the high of defeating the Chiefs 20-13 on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium. Cooper logged just one tackle against the Chiefs in Week 17, tying for his lowest in a game all season. His performance didn’t match his rage.

But for Denver, that Christmas victory snapped their own curse of nearly a decade without winning at Arrowhead. Then, when the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16, the Broncos’ division title became official.

This has now positioned them for a deep playoff run. No wonder Cooper’s emotions ran high. But what matters now is what Denver does with their reclaimed throne.

Denver’s playoff push with quarterback Bo Nix

The Broncos (13-3) control the AFC’s No. 1 seed heading into Week 18. They’ll now host their first playoff game since January 2016. One more win against the Chargers (11-5) at home locks up the top seed and a first-round bye.

That Chargers matchup carries a lot of weight. Denver has lost all three games to Los Angeles since Jim Harbaugh took over as their coach. But the Broncos are 7-1 at home this season. They’ve owned the home-field advantage all season.

Bo Nix has been cooking as their quarterback. The second-year quarterback ranks 5th in the league in passing yards (3,790) and boasts a 63.5% completion rate. He’s got 25 passing touchdowns on the season against the 11 picks. Head coach Sean Payton’s offense has found its rhythm at exactly the right time. And Nix is excited for the regular season finale.

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“It is going to be a really good environment and atmosphere,” Nix noted about Week 18. “It is honestly playoff atmosphere. It is going to be tough. I have not beaten them, but it is going to be a good nine days of preparation. On the tenth day, it will be all you have got for four quarters or however long it takes.”

After cycling through several starting quarterbacks since Peyton Manning hung up his cleats, Denver finally has their guy, and he is ready to fight. The Chiefs’ dynasty with Patrick Mahomes has hit the brakes this season, but Denver’s statement stands. The AFC West has new rulers, and they’re just getting hotter every week.