Mahomes returns from injury as Chiefs rout Broncos 31-10

Kenneth Walker III scored two rushing touchdowns on 173 yards in his debut, while Patrick Mahomes successfully returned from knee surgery, as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos 31-10 on Monday night.

Mahomes, who wore a brace on his surgically repaired left knee, showed no signs of limitation. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 15-yard score on the ground to cap the opening drive. The win ended a three-game losing streak against the Broncos and halted their nine-year reign as AFC West champions.

Walker, the Super Bowl MVP from Seattle, carried the ball 23 times, recording the most rushing yards by a Chiefs player since Jamaal Charles gained 226 against the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. The ex-Seahawks star, who signed a three-year, $43.05 million contract in the off-season, also contributed three receptions for 18 yards.

The Broncos’ offense struggled significantly in their first game with Davis Webb calling plays. Quarterback Bo Nix finished 17 of 28 for 131 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while also losing a fumble. Despite the team’s offseason acquisition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle via trade, he managed only one catch for two yards.

Denver’s only score came from a 19-yard pass to Evan Engram, who led the receiving corps with four catches for 43 yards. The Broncos were held to just 176 total offensive yards.

Kansas City took control after a tight first half. Walker broke off a 60-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-one to start the third quarter, and Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce on a 59-yard pass later in the quarter. A turnover by Nix sealed the blowout, culminating in a trick-play touchdown pass from Mahomes to Walker.

Key statistics saw Travis Kelce lead the Chiefs receivers with three catches for 71 yards, while rookie Emmett Johnson gained 26 yards on a critical third-down conversion.