The Denver Broncos were thoroughly dominated by the division rival Kansas City in a 31-10 beatdown. Denver will start this season 0-1 after a Bo Nix interception, fumble, and 28 missed tackles by the team proved too costly to overcome.
The Denver Broncos went 14-3 last season, yet Denver looked more like a 3-14 team Monday night.
Nix’s first drive to start the season was a quick one ending in an interception thrown to Mansoor Delane, the rookie cornerback out of LSU, before Delane exited the game with a shoulder injury. Nix ended up finding his rhythm on the ensuing drive, going 5 for 5 for 55 yards and capping that drive off with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Evan Engram.
Outside of that one drive Denver struggled to produce on offense, with Nix finishing 17 of 28 for 131 yards and a touchdown. Denver’s only other scoring drive was set up by a Patrick Mahomes interception returned all the way to the 5-yardline. After a penalty and a fumble by Nix that drive ended in a field-goal.
The defense wasn’t much better, as Denver’s defense missed a ridiculous 28 tackles, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, on their way to allowing 220 rushing yards. Although Denver did end up holding Mahomes in check as he finished 15 of 27 for 184 yards, 2 touchdowns and a pick, the same could not be said for running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker III finished the night with 23 carries for 173 yards and a rushing touchdown, going for an eye-popping 7.5 yards per carry.
Monday night’s game was the first regular season game in which Davis Webb called plays, Denver’s new offensive coordinator got off to a pass-heavy start; running the ball only 12 times for 4.9 yards per carry. Denver’s lack of run game allowed the Chiefs to pressure Nix on 45.5 percent of his dropbacks.
In the post game press conference Sean Payton, Denver’s head coach said “The game became one dimensional. Really the Antithesis of how you beat a good team.” Payton then said “When you have a game like that and you’re the head coach… It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing.”
Denver continues to struggle out of the gate in the Bo Nix era as they lose on the opening night of the 2026 NFL season. Denver’s best record after the first 3 weeks of the season in the Bo Nix era is 1-2.
Payton and the team have a number of areas to improve before the next game, as they head back home to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener. Denver will play the Jaguars at 2:05 PM MDT this coming Sunday.
