The story

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 31-10 on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks in February, rushed for 173 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns in his Kansas City debut. The Chiefs outgained the Broncos 392-177 in total yards, including 220-62 on the ground.

Patrick Mahomes played his first game since tearing his ACL and LCL in his left knee on December 14, 2025, against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery the next day in Dallas. Mahomes rushed four times for 27 yards and a touchdown, and finished 15 of 27 passing for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He is wearing a lightweight brace on his left knee and is turning 31 later this week.

Bo Nix was 17 for 28 for 131 yards and had two turnovers for the Broncos. Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the Broncos' AFC divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills, with their season ending in the AFC championship game to the New England Patriots. Denver is the defending AFC West champion. The Chiefs recorded their first losing season since 2012 last year and missed the playoffs.