Kenneth Walker and Patrick Mahomes Lead Chiefs Past Broncos 31-10/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 31-10 in their season opener. Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score in his first game since undergoing surgery on his left knee. Taylor Swift watched husband Travis Kelce from Arrowhead Stadium alongside Tom Cruise after skipping the Emmy Awards.
Quick Look
- Kansas City defeated Denver 31-10 at Arrowhead Stadium.
- Kenneth Walker III rushed 23 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
- Walker added three receptions for 18 yards in his Chiefs debut.
- Patrick Mahomes threw for 184 yards and two scores.
- Mahomes also scored on a 15-yard run.
- Denver finished with only 176 yards of offense.
- Bo Nix threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
- Nix also lost a fumble.
- Jaylen Waddle caught one pass for 2 yards in his Broncos debut.
- Travis Kelce made a 59-yard reception.
- Taylor Swift attended with Tom Cruise.
- Chiefs rookie Mansoor Delane left with a shoulder injury.
- Denver hosts Jacksonville next, while Kansas City hosts Indianapolis.
Deep Look
Walker Dominates in Chiefs Debut
Kenneth Walker III delivered a commanding performance in his first game for Kansas City, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 31-10.
Walker carried the ball 23 times and added three receptions for 18 yards. His rushing total was the highest by a Chiefs player since Jamaal Charles accumulated 226 yards against Indianapolis in 2012.
The former Seattle Seahawks running back arrived in Kansas City on a three-year, $43.05 million free-agent contract after earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
“He did a really nice job,” Reid said, “and you never know going in how many times you’re going to give him the ball. That’s not a calculated thing. You have to be making yards. For him to play the way he did I thought was spectacular.”
Mahomes Looks Healthy in His Return
Much of the attention before the game centered on Patrick Mahomes and his surgically repaired left knee.
Wearing a protective brace, Mahomes threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a 15-yard score on Kansas City’s opening possession, matching his longest touchdown run in a regular-season game.
The performance helped Kansas City end a three-game losing streak against Denver, which had ended the Chiefs’ nine-year reign as AFC West champions.
“They were in the AFC championship game for a reason,” Mahomes said. “For us to go out and win like that, that’s the first step. It shows all the work in training camp paid off. But how can we be better?”
Mahomes Quickly Tests His Repaired Knee
Mahomes initially scrambled for a touchdown that was erased by a penalty. On the following play, he ran through Denver’s highly regarded defense for the 15-yard score.
“If I was going to say I was nervous for anything, it was getting hit on it,” Mahomes said, “but I just wanted to play. I’ve done so much rehab and so much work to put myself in this position. I just wanted to play. This is what you do it for.
“My guys around me helped me,” Mahomes added. “I didn’t play my best football and we went out and beat a really good football team pretty well, and it’s because the guys around me stepped up.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team trusted Mahomes to play without significant limitations.
“Once you put him in the game,” Reid said, “he’s going to play, and you better be confident in that.”
Nine-Month Recovery Leads Back to Arrowhead
Mahomes returned exactly nine months after tearing two ligaments in his left knee during a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
He underwent surgery in Dallas the next day and immediately began rehabilitation. Rather than spending most of the offseason at his Texas home, Mahomes remained in Kansas City and worked with Chiefs trainer Julie Frymyer.
He progressed quickly enough to participate when voluntary summer workouts began. Mahomes was cleared for full training-camp participation when the team reported to Missouri Western State University.
The Chiefs kept him out of all three preseason games, but their plan was always to have him ready for Week 1.
“It was great to get Patrick back in the mix there, knock a little rust off,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I was proud of him and how he handled it, and he ran the ball a couple of times, and your hat goes off to the guy. Phenomenal.”
Offensive Line Protects Mahomes
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson started at left tackle in place of the injured Josh Simmons, but Kansas City still controlled the line of scrimmage.
The Chiefs accumulated 393 total yards against a Denver defense that set a franchise record with 68 sacks the previous season.
Walker took advantage of the available running lanes, while the offensive line largely kept Mahomes away from major contact.
“They got to key on Pat. Pat’s the best quarterback in the league,” Walker said. “He makes the run game a lot easier.”
Denver missed 28 tackles during the game, allowing Kansas City to extend several important plays.
Broncos Offense Struggles Under Davis Webb
Denver’s offense produced only 176 total yards in its first game with coordinator Davis Webb calling the plays.
Quarterback Bo Nix completed enough passes for 131 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception and lost a fumble.
“As a whole offense, a whole team, we just didn’t play really good,” Nix said.
“Obviously not a good evening,” Broncos coach Sean Payton added.
Denver had made a major offseason move by sending multiple draft picks to Miami for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. He finished his Broncos debut with one reception for 2 yards.
Tight end Evan Engram led Denver with four catches for 43 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown.
Chiefs Take Control Before Halftime
Walker rushed 14 times for 89 yards during the first half while also contributing as a receiver.
Denver tied the game when Nix connected with Engram for a 19-yard touchdown. Kansas City answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive late in the second quarter.
Mahomes completed a pass to Rashee Rice, who had recently returned from his own knee injury. Rice bounced off two Denver defenders and reached the end zone, giving the Chiefs a 14-7 halftime lead.
Walker Breaks Away for 60-Yard Touchdown
Kansas City extended its advantage early in the third quarter when Walker took a fourth-and-1 carry and turned it into a 60-yard touchdown.
“I knew they were going to crash in. When they crashed in, I bounced out,” Walker said, “and I was off to the races from there.”
The run demonstrated Walker’s ability to combine power at the line of scrimmage with breakaway speed once he reached the open field.
Turnovers Produce Third-Quarter Field Goals
Denver safety Brandon Jones intercepted Mahomes deep in Kansas City territory later in the third quarter.
The Broncos converted the takeaway into a short Wil Lutz field goal.
Kansas City answered after Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce for a 59-yard gain. Harrison Butker then made a field goal to restore the Chiefs’ advantage.
Nix lost a fumble on Denver’s next possession, giving Kansas City another opportunity to put the game beyond reach.
Chiefs Revive Play From the 1930s
Mahomes connected with rookie running back Emmett Johnson for a 26-yard gain on third down, moving Kansas City to the Denver 2-yard line.
The Chiefs then used a creative formation that Reid and his staff discovered in black-and-white game footage from the 1930s.
Mahomes lined up in a three-point stance next to backup quarterback Justin Fields. After taking the snap, Mahomes shoveled the ball to Walker, who scored untouched.
“It was hard to see,” Walker said of the film, “but we worked it over and over in practice. We felt it was going to work and it did.”
Mahomes Emphasizes It Is Only Week 1
Mahomes celebrated on the field after the game and encouraged the remaining Arrowhead Stadium crowd to enjoy the opening victory.
He also cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from the first week of the season.
“It’s just the start of it. We’re still so early in the season,” Mahomes said. “It’s a great win but it’s just Week 1.”
The victory nevertheless offered encouraging evidence that his knee could withstand the movement, contact and pressure of a regular-season game.
Taylor Swift Chooses Arrowhead Over Emmys
Taylor Swift attended the game with actor Tom Cruise to support Kelce, her new husband.
It was the first time Swift had watched Kelce play since they married during the summer.
Swift skipped the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles even though “The Eras Tour: The Final Show” was nominated for outstanding variety special in the pre-recorded category.
The category had already been presented at the Creative Arts Emmys, where “The Muppet Show” won.
The Emmy broadcast referenced Swift’s possible attendance through a recorded “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” sketch featuring host Mariska Hargitay.
“Maybe she’ll do one those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host,” Swift’s character says.
Arrowhead Played a Role in Swift-Kelce Romance
Swift and Kelce’s relationship began after she performed at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce attempted unsuccessfully to give her a friendship bracelet during the concert. He later invited her publicly to watch him play, and Swift attended a 2023 game against the Chicago Bears.
Their relationship eventually led to a July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden.
Adam Sandler officiated, while Stevie Nicks performed for guests from sports and entertainment. Attendees included Bradley Cooper, Zoë Kravitz, Hugh Grant, Ethan Hawke, Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Chris Rock, Steven Spielberg, Tom Brady and several Chiefs players.
“The ceremony was gorgeous,” Kelce’s brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce said on ESPN’s pregame show. “They did such an incredible job, Adam Sandler officiated it in a very Adam Sandler, beautiful way. From then on, it was a party.”
Kelce Returns for a 14th Season
Kelce considered retirement after Kansas City finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs the previous season.
He instead returned for his 14th NFL campaign as the Chiefs sought to recover from their first losing season since 2012.
Away from football, Kelce expanded his business portfolio by purchasing a small portion of David Blitzer’s ownership stake in the Cleveland Guardians.
His 59-yard reception against Denver helped set up a field goal and gave Swift another reason to celebrate from the stands.
Injury Updates
Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims briefly left the game with a hip injury but returned.
Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane landed on his right shoulder after intercepting Nix on Denver’s third offensive play. The sixth overall draft pick needed assistance leaving the field and did not return.
Kansas City linebacker Cooper McDonald exited with a knee injury during the first half and also did not return.
Up Next
Denver will play its home opener against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Kansas City will remain at Arrowhead Stadium to host Indianapolis on Sunday night.
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