The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos will close out Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season Monday night with one of the most anticipated division games of the opening weekend.
The Broncos will travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a primetime AFC West matchup that features two quarterbacks returning from major injuries. Patrick Mahomes is expected to start for Kansas City after tearing his ACL and LCL last December, while Denver’s Bo Nix is also returning from an ankle injury.
Patrick Mahomes Makes His Return
The biggest storyline will obviously be Mahomes.
The two-time MVP missed the final portion of last season after suffering the knee injury, and the Chiefs ultimately finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes has spent the offseason working his way back and has participated fully in training camp. Andy Reid said Mahomes is expected to start unless something unexpected happens before Monday night.
Kansas City will need him to immediately look like the quarterback who helped the franchise dominate the AFC for nearly a decade.
The Chiefs also added running back Kenneth Walker III during the offseason, giving Mahomes another explosive weapon in the backfield.
Bo Nix Looks to Take Another Step
Denver enters the matchup with plenty of confidence after winning the AFC West last season.
Nix is healthy and ready to begin his third NFL season after throwing for 3,163 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025. The Broncos also made a major addition to his supporting cast by acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from Miami.
Waddle joins Courtland Sutton to give Denver a dangerous receiving group, while the Broncos will also rely on their running game to keep Mahomes on the sideline.
Nix doesn’t have to win the game by himself, but avoiding turnovers will be critical against Kansas City’s defense.
Denver’s Defense Could Decide Everything
The biggest advantage for Denver could be its defense.
The Broncos recorded a franchise-record 68 sacks last season and became the first team in NFL history to record at least 60 sacks in consecutive seasons.
That pass rush will immediately face a major challenge.
Kansas City’s starting left tackle Josh Simmons is dealing with a back injury and is unlikely to play, meaning undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson could be responsible for protecting Mahomes’ blind side.
If Denver can pressure Mahomes early, it could make his return much more difficult.
Key Matchup
The biggest matchup will be Denver’s pass rush against Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes has historically dominated the Broncos, but Denver has won three straight against Kansas City and four of the last five meetings.
The Broncos have the defense to make this uncomfortable, while Kansas City has the quarterback and home-field advantage to answer back.
This should be one of the best games of Week 1.
Mahomes’ return gives the Chiefs plenty of excitement, but Denver’s continuity, elite pass rush and improved receiving corps make this a dangerous matchup.
Expect a physical AFC West battle that could come down to the final possession.
