Patrick Mahomes made a winning return from knee surgery as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 31-10 on Monday night. The win snapped a three-game losing streak against the rival that ended Kansas City’s nine-year run as AFC West division champions.
Kenneth Walker was the headline act. The running back who led Seattle to Super Bowl glory signed with the Chiefs in free agency and delivered a strong first game. He rushed for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns on his debut. That yardage matches the most ever put up by a Chiefs player since Jamaal Charles ran for 226 against the Colts in 2012, the season before Andy Reid took over as their coach.
Walker rushed 23 times and hauled in three receptions for 18 yards. In the opening half alone, he had 14 carries for 89 yards, adding a couple of grabs out of the backfield.
Mahomes Returns From Knee Surgery
The knee injury and the protective gear Mahomes wore on it seemed to cause him no trouble during the game. He put up 184 yards through the air along with two touchdowns, adding another score with his legs. Nine months prior, he had suffered the damage against the Chargers and subsequently required surgery on his left knee.
Nobody knew if his surgically repaired knee could handle the rigors of a full NFL game. That uncertainty vanished immediately, though, when he finished off the Chiefs’ opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown run.
Walker Runs Away With The Game
Walker was the main runner for his team, and he signed a three-year, $43.05m deal this offseason. His biggest play came when he turned a fourth-and-one carry into a 60-yard touchdown run to start the third quarter.
Evan Engram caught a touchdown from Bo Nix on a 19-yard pass, tying the game for the Broncos. The Chiefs then took control with a late-half drive built from 10 plays covering 80 yards. Walker was the driver, and the drive concluded with Mahomes finding Rashee Rice, who had recently recovered from a knee injury of his own. Rice bounced off a couple of Broncos defenders before crossing the goal line, giving the Chiefs a 14-7 lead going into halftime.
The Broncos Struggled On Offense
The first game under offensive coordinator Davis Webb saw Denver struggle badly on offense. The team managed just 176 yards of total offense, even though they had traded a package of draft picks to Miami during the offseason to land wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle caught one pass for two yards. Engram was the leader among the Broncos, hauling in four catches for 43 yards and their single touchdown.
The quarterback threw for 131 yards while throwing one interception and losing a fumble. He completed 17 of 28 attempts. J.K. Dobbins carried the ball eight times for the Broncos, gaining just 36 yards on the ground.
| Team | Passing Leader | Rushing Leader | Receiving Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | Bo Nix (131 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) | J.K. Dobbins (36 yards) | Evan Engram (43 yards, 1 TD) |
| Chiefs | Patrick Mahomes (184 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) | Kenneth Walker (173 yards, 1 TD) | Travis Kelce (71 yards) |
Late Quarter Field Goals And Tricks
Mahomes began the second half with a trick play. He lined up in a three-point stance beside backup QB Justin Fields, took the snap and shovelled the ball to Walker, who then scooted untouched for the score.
Later in the quarter, the teams exchanged field goals, with Brandon Jones picking off Mahomes deep in Chiefs territory to put Wil Lutz’s chip shot. Then Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce for a long gain to set up Harrison Butker’ in position for his own field goal.
The turnover by Nix on the following possession gave the Chiefs a chance to seal the game. On third down, Mahomes connected with rookie running back Emmett Johnson for a 26-yard advance, which moved the ball to first-and-goal at the Denver two. Andy Reid then called for a trick play, having Mahomes line up in a three-point stance beside back-up quarterback Justin Fields, take the snap and shovel the ball to Walker, who scored without being touched.
A Statement Win For The Chiefs
A victory against a rival franchise served as a declaration for a Chiefs team that had previously struggled in these matchups. It also underscored what Walker is capable of achieving.
Walker’s 173 yards matched the most a Chiefs player has rushed since Jamaal Charles in 2012. The Broncos’ offense could not find a rhythm. Davis Webb looked lost in his first game calling plays for Denver. The trade for Waddle had been meant to upgrade the passing game. Instead, the Broncos managed just 176 yards of offense.
There was no sign of any lasting damage to Mahomes’ knee. He threw for 184 yards and found the end zone twice through the air, adding a third touchdown on the ground. The brace he wore did nothing to hold him back.
The Chiefs appear prepared to contend for the AFC West title once more. They have their running back from Seattle, their quarterback healthy again after surgery, and a victory over the club that ended their division rule.
The evening belonged to Walker, whose rushing total stood at 23 attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns, along with three receptions for 18 yards. His 14 carries for 89 yards in the opening half alone explained what the Chiefs saw in him when they signed him.
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