Week 1 · 2026
Kenneth Walker III Powers Chiefs Past Broncos in Week 1
Denver Broncos 10 at Kansas City Chiefs 31
How the Game Began
Kenneth Walker III Powers Chiefs Past Broncos in Week 1 On Monday, September 14, 2026, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 31-10 in Kansas City. Denver came in after a 14-3 season, while Kansas City hoped to move past its 6-11 finish. The Broncos made an early mistake when Delane intercepted Bo Nix’s deep pass. Walker’s strong runs moved the Chiefs downfield. A penalty erased a Mahomes touchdown run, but he scored on a 15-yard scramble for a 7-0 lead. Denver answered when Nix hit Evan Engram for a 19-yard touchdown, tying the game 7-7.
The Deciding Moments
Before halftime, Walker ran 28 yards to help set up Mahomes’ 13-yard touchdown pass to Rashee Rice. That gave Kansas City a 14-7 lead. On the Chiefs’ first drive after halftime, Walker raced 60 yards around the left side for a touchdown and a 21-7 advantage. Denver later got the ball at the Kansas City 5 after Brandon Jones intercepted Mahomes. However, a holding penalty and a sack forced Denver to settle for a 31-yard field goal. Mahomes then found Travis Kelce for 59 yards, and Harrison Butker’s field goal made it 24-10.
Big Performances and Takeaways
Late in the third quarter, Anudike-Uzomah knocked the ball loose from Nix, and Kansas City recovered it. Mahomes turned that chance into a 2-yard touchdown pass to Walker early in the fourth. Walker finished with 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, plus a rushing touchdown and a receiving score. Mahomes had two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown, while Kelce gained 71 receiving yards. Kansas City had four sacks and held Denver to 176 total yards. The Chiefs are 1-0 after the win and visit the Indianapolis Colts next. The Broncos are 0-1 and will face the Jacksonville Jaguars.