The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 2026 NFL season with a 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday night. Patrick Mahomes returned from a major knee injury with three total touchdowns, while Kenneth Walker III delivered a standout rushing performance.
Mahomes accounted for two passing touchdowns and a 15-yard rushing score as Kansas City built its lead at Arrowhead Stadium. The quarterback completed 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards, while rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane intercepted Bo Nix on Denver’s opening possession, helping the Chiefs establish early momentum.
Walker provided the biggest spark for Kansas City’s ground game, rushing for 173 yards on 23 carries and scoring on a 60-yard run. Travis Kelce also made an impact, recording 71 receiving yards and moving into second place on the NFL’s all-time receiving-yardage list among tight ends with a 59-yard catch.
Denver briefly tied the game at 7-7 after Nix connected with Evan Engram for a touchdown, but the Broncos struggled to sustain their offense afterward. Nix finished with 131 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception as Kansas City’s defense held Denver to 176 total yards and forced two turnovers.
The Chiefs pulled away after halftime, with Walker’s 60-yard touchdown extending their advantage before Mahomes later connected with Walker for another score. Kansas City finished with 392 total yards compared with Denver’s 176, giving the Chiefs a strong start to the season under coach Andy Reid.