How confident should Kansas City Chiefs fans be heading into a new season? And how much faith should be held out when opening the season against last year's AFC West winners, the Denver Broncos?
On the one hand, the Chiefs won six games a year ago, have a shallow roster in which a handful of rookie free agents even made the final cut, and their star quarterback hasn't played since tearing multiple knee ligaments. On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes is healthy, the Chiefs are the NFL's most recent dynasty, and Kenneth Walker is around to balance the offense.
As it turns out, our own writers at Arrowhead Addict are mostly favoring the home team as Denver comes to town. But not everyone is a believer—at least just yet. Here are our staff predictions for Week 1 between the Chiefs and Broncos.
Patrick Allen
There is a lot of uncertainty heading into the season opener. That the Chiefs are counting on a lot of young players on defense and an undrafted free agent at left tackle definitely gives me pause. But until I see otherwise, I'm putting my money on a motivated Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid in prime time at Arrowhead. Chiefs 24, Broncos 23
Matt Chabot
Kenneth Walker goes for 100+ on the ground and the Chiefs win by six. Chiefs 27, Broncos 21
Matt Conner
I believe in the Chiefs, but I think it's going to take a half-season for this young defense to gel and for the offense to find its footing. The Broncos are the better team at this stage and deserve the recognition. Broncos 25, Chiefs 16
Bransen Gibson
Patrick Mahomes is back, and the Chiefs are playing a season opener against a division rival on Monday Night Football. How could I not pick Kansas City? The Chiefs were awful in one-score games last year (1-9), but their luck will turn as they outlast the Broncos. Chiefs 17, Broncos 14
Lyle Graversen
The Chiefs have to run the ball and not let the Broncos' pass rush pick on KC's offensive tackles all night long. I think the new-look defense steps up, and KC makes just enough plays to pull out an ugly win. Chiefs 17, Broncos 16
Braden Holocek
The Chiefs are going to be more of a downhill offense and under center more often. With a revamped running game, more physicality, and Patrick Mahomes being extra juiced up for his return, Kansas City gets a huge division win to open the season. Chiefs 24, Broncos 20
Scott Loring
Patrick Mahomes and the offense struggle to find their form without Josh Simmons in the lineup, but the Chiefs' defense puts the entire league on notice with a shocking masterclass in the home opener. Chiefs 19, Broncos 16
Greg Morse
Mahomes is back, that is all. Chiefs 49, Broncos 10
Shawn O'Brate
The Chiefs' offense is gonna provide a few big plays, hopefully through K9 and Emmett Johnson more than anything, but the defense will be the biggest question. Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle, and RJ Harvey will all have a few good moments against Spags' restructured defense, but in the end the Chiefs continue their decade-long dominance over Denver (when Mahomes plays) and win late. Chiefs 27, Broncos 21
Charles Robinson
Some people are bullish on the 2026 Chiefs, but many, many more are nervous to predict excellence from a team coming off a 6-11 finish with a franchise QB 9 months removed from a serious knee injury. I've been there, but I'm past that. A 6-11 season and an 0-2 mark against Denver are an exception, not the norm for these Chiefs. Kansas City gets out to a 1-0 start and is one game up on both the Chargers and Broncos after defeating Denver to open the season. Chiefs 24, Broncos 20
Stacy Smith
The Kansas City Chiefs ride the emotional wave of their fearless leader's return to the field and get the dub. Chiefs 24, Broncos 21
Hunter Stanton
The Chiefs and Broncos are two good teams heading in the 2026 season; however, the Chiefs pull it out in a close one. Chiefs 27, Broncos 24
Lucas Strozinsky
The first game of the 2026 season might be the most important game of the year for the Chiefs. A home game against a good division rival is a must-win. I don't know if they will. Broncos 23, Chiefs 16
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