Denver Broncos (0-0) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) September 14, 2026 8:15 pm EDT The Line: Kansas City Chiefs -2.5; Over/Under: 43.5 (Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Chiefs vs Broncos prediction for this NFL game on Monday, September 14th at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 1 matchup.
The Kansas City Chiefs went 6-11 last season and they finished third in the AFC West standings, eight games behind the Broncos for first. Kansas City started the season with a 27-21 loss to the Chargers and lost their second game by a score of 20-17 against the Eagles. The Chiefs were 5-3 through eight games, but they lost eight of their last nine games, as Mahomes went down with an injury. Kansas City really struggled to score down the stretch, as they scored 13 points or fewer in five straight games to end the year. KC scored 21.3 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 19.3 points against per game on defense.
In the preseason, Kansas City was 0-2-1, which was last in the AFC West. The Chiefs lost to the Rams by a score of 20-12, lost to the Buccaneers by a score of 16-15, and tied the Seahawks by a score of 16-16 in their three games. KC will have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback with Kenneth Walker III at running back and Rashee Rice at receiver.
The Denver Broncos were 14-3 last year and they finished first in the AFC West standings, three games ahead of the Chargers in second. Denver started the season with a 1-2 record, but they won 11 games in a row, before going 2-1 in their last three. The Broncos only lost to the Colts, Chargers, and Jaguars in the regular season, but they scored 20 points or fewer in five of their last nine games. Denver defeated the Bills in overtime by a score of 33-30 in the playoffs, but lost to the Patriots 10-7. The Broncos scored 23.6 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 18.3 points against per game on defense.
In the preseason, Denver was 2-1, which was first in the AFC West. The Broncos defeated the Falcons by a score of 27-7, lost to the Packers by a score of 33-13, and defeated the Vikings by a score of 34-6 in their three games. Denver will have Bo Nix at quarterback with JK Dobbins at running back and Courtland Sutton at receiver.
Denver comes into this season after a great 2025, but Nix got injured during their playoff run. The Broncos should be very solid once again, but I would like to see a little more from the offense. Kansas City is hoping to have Mahomes at QB for this game, as he is also returning from an injury. The Chiefs fell apart after his injury last year, but if he is playing, he is always dangerous. I am assuming Mahomes will play in this game, but another year on the aging Chiefs roster doesn’t get me excited. Take Denver on the road.