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Walker Runs Wild in Kansas City as Mahomes Returns, Chiefs Rout Broncos 31-10
Kenneth Walker III exploded for 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut while Patrick Mahomes looked durable, combining for three scores in a 31-10 victory over Denver.
Kansas City opened its season at Arrowhead with a statement win, beating Denver 31-10 Monday night as Kenneth Walker III powered the ground game and Patrick Mahomes demonstrated his surgically repaired left knee could withstand game action. The victory snapped a three-game skid to the Broncos and served as payback for the loss of the AFC West crown last season.
Walker carried 23 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with the Chiefs, the most rushing yards by a Kansas City player since Jamaal Charles ran for 226 in 2012. The former Seattle back, a Super Bowl MVP who signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal in free agency, also caught three passes for 18 yards. He piled up 14 carries for 89 yards before halftime and turned a fourth-and-1 carry into a 60-yard score to open the third quarter.
Mahomes, wearing a brace on his left knee, threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score, including a 15-yard touchdown that finished the opening drive. He also connected on a 59-yard pass to Travis Kelce that set up a Harrison Butker field goal. Kansas City’s most unconventional touchdown came when Mahomes lined up next to backup Justin Fields, took the snap and shoveled the ball to Walker for a short touchdown — a play the coaching staff unearthed in old black-and-white film and ran repeatedly in practice.
Denver struggled to move the ball under new play-caller Davis Webb. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix finished with 131 passing yards, one interception and a lost fumble as the Broncos managed just 176 yards of offense. Jaylen Waddle, acquired this offseason, had one catch for two yards; Evan Engram led Denver with four catches for 43 yards and the team’s lone receiving touchdown on a 19-yard reception. A third-quarter turnover by Nix helped Kansas City put the game out of reach.
The contest included a handful of injuries: Broncos receiver Marvin Mims left briefly with a hip issue but returned, while Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane exited after landing on his right shoulder following an interception and did not return, and linebacker Cooper McDonald left in the first half with a knee injury and also did not return. Kansas City will host Indianapolis next Sunday night; Denver’s home opener against Jacksonville is set for Sunday.