Kansas City opened the season with a 31-10 Monday night win over Denver, leaning on Kenneth Walker III's legs while Patrick Mahomes eased back into game action.
Walker carried 23 times for 173 yards and a touchdown in his Chiefs debut. Kansas City finished with 220 rushing yards, controlled the ball for 33:42 and converted 9 of 17 third downs. The Broncos managed 61 yards on the ground and only nine first downs.
Mahomes completed 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He connected with Rashee Rice for a 13-yard score and found Walker for a short touchdown, while Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with 71 receiving yards. The production was uneven through the air, but Kansas City's run game repeatedly kept the offense on schedule.
Denver could not sustain its answer. Bo Nix finished 17 of 28 for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and the Broncos produced 176 total yards on 47 plays. Evan Engram's four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown supplied Denver's only passing score. Kansas City's Zach Allen recorded two sacks, and Alex Singleton made 15 tackles for the Broncos.
The result gives Kansas City an immediate division win and a useful runway for Mahomes' return. Denver's defense held up in stretches, but the Broncos spent too much of the night behind the chains and could not match Walker's impact.
