Just like that, the Kansas City Chiefs are 1-0, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders to start the year—as expected. The Chiefs made quick work of the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football to start a new year, and it was the perfect way to move beyond the pain of last year's 6-11 collapse. Given the Chargers' unexpected loss to the Cardinals, the Chiefs already have a one-game edge on the two teams they should fear the most in the division.
When a team wins by 21 points, you can expect a lot more winners than losers when looking back at the game. But not all went well on Monday. We've got a lot of winners and a few losers just to make sure we're keeping a proper perspective on it all. It's just the first week, so the Chiefs have some clear wrinkles to iron out—even as they celebrate such a tremendous victory.
Winner: Kenneth Walker
The most obvious entry here. Plenty of ink will be spilled about Walker's debut in Kansas City, a bell-cow effort for a back who'd never been trusted with such a burden. He single-handedly had more offense than the entire Broncos team, with 191 for the Chiefs' RB and only 176 for Bo Nix and company. Add in Walker's two touchdowns on the night, and you have the makings of a beautiful relationship.
While Walker was the hero, perhaps we should actually change the "winner" in this instance to the fan who has sat through years of a post-injury Isiah Pacheco and late-career Kareem Hunt as the primary forces in the ground game. Walker was revelatory, and the team's recent history made it all the more refreshing to watch.
Winner: Nohl Williams
When the Chiefs dealt Trent McDuffie and allowed Jaylen Watson to leave—both to the L.A. Rams—the proverbial next man up was Nohl Williams. The second-year corner had a reputation as an aggressive, physical player but questions remained about both consistency and the mental load of carrying a greater share of responsibility. Williams put those concerns to rest with a stellar performance in Week 1.
From the first drive of the game, Williams' instincts looked next level in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Players talk about the game slowing for them in their second year, and that looked like it was happening for Williams in real time. His ability to read and react made a big impact on multiple drives, and his ability to blanket defenders frustrated Bo Nix all night.
Loser: Special teams penalties
It feels like a Family Guy joke at this point, how the parade of special teams mistakes will never end. The weekly Jack Cochrane holding call ruined a solid effort by Matt Araiza. Jadon Canady had a holding call before halftime as well, although rookies will make mistakes. Jalen Royals was called for a five-yard penalty on a Denver punt in the third quarter. Special teams play can be rather chaotic and the occasional miscue is understandable. But Chiefs Kingdom would have a hard time remembering when Toub's units played a clean game.
Winner: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Edge rushers earning rotational snaps aren't popular picks to win a Comeback Player of the Year Award, but after missing all of last season due to a hamstring injury, no one was expecting much from Felix Anudike-Uzomah coming into his fourth and final season under contract. But an impressive season that featured a previously unseen spark in FAU's game translated to the start of the regular season with a truly standout effort from the former first-round pick (2023).
Loser(s): Wideouts who can't separate
We don't mean to nitpick after the Chiefs just bested a divisional favorite by 21 points to start the year, but the passing attack was broken on Monday night. So much of the problem came down to Denver's ability to play man defense and challenge K.C.'s receiving corps to beat anyone at all. Sloppy tackling allowed Rashee Rice to score a touchdown. Travis Kelce looked good making a 59-yard catch. But the Chiefs would be the first to admit the passing game wasn't working as hoped and that there's real work to be done in the days ahead to get it to click.
Winner(s): The defensive rookies
R Mason Thomas is a missile off the edge. Peter Woods had a couple of nice plays with a pressure and batted pass. Mansoor Delane had an interception on the first series. While it hurt to lose Delane to a shoulder injury on the same play, it was very heartening to see the Chiefs' trio of defensive rookies—each of whom were taken in the first 40 picks of the 2026 draft—doing so much of the lifting against Bo Nix on Monday. Thomas, in particular, was sensational and brought a speed element that's been missing for years.
Winner: Patrick Mahomes
Yes, there were issues with timing and communication. Yes, the deep ball looked rusty after not taking a single preseason snap. But we've already dissected the passing game, so there's no need to rehash that. Still, Mahomes is a winner for putting in the work to return from a severe knee injury and subsequent surgery to repair torn ligaments. Nine months after hurting it against the Chargers, he was able to lead the Chiefs in a win over another AFC West rival. An epic comeback for a player who already has so many impressive chapters in his career.
Winner: Jake Briningstool
This one will go completely overlooked, as it should, considering that Briningstool only caught one pass for 9 yards (and was only targeted that single time). What still makes the second-year tight end a clear winner in Week 1 is that he was active at all, while his teammate, Jared Wiley, was relegated to the inactive list coming into MNF. The Chiefs kept four tight ends on the active roster to start the year and it felt like Briningstool was TE4. Instead, the Chiefs benched their former fourth-round pick with a clearl sign of favoritism toward Briningstool after missing his rookie season due to injury.
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