Fastrack · Chiefs Crush Broncos Behind Mahomes' Return From ACL Injury

Patrick Mahomes makes his first start since tearing his ACL and LCL in December, suiting up for Kansas City against Denver in a Week 1 divisional matchup.

Kansas City finished 6-11 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Mahomes wore a customized knee brace throughout training camp and will wear it Monday.
Denver's pass rush led the NFL with 60-plus sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons is out for Monday's game.

Why it matters: The matchup tests whether Mahomes can return to form without preseason reps against one of the NFL's top defenses.

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said he hopes the franchise can win more championships and spark a debate about who is the greatest of all time.

How 11 sources split on this story

Source landscape

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 11 sources

11 sources · 38 articles · 55% Center coverage

Where they split: The central disagreement is whether Mahomes can perform at his previous level immediately, or whether a surgically repaired knee and no preseason action will limit him against an elite defense.

Center coverage, 6 sources: The center frames this as a high-stakes divisional opener with genuine uncertainty about Mahomes' readiness and both teams' Super Bowl trajectories.

USA Today5hPatrick Mahomes looks good in return from ACL

Heavy5hBroncos’ Alex Singleton, Chiefs Super Bowl Champ Facing Punishment After ‘MNF’

Newsweek5hPatrick Mahomes took drastic action to be ready for Chiefs season opener

ESPN4hAnalyzing the Chiefs' win over the Broncos KSAKSAT 12 San Antonio5hPatrick Mahomes shines on his surgically repaired knee in Chiefs' season-opening rout of Broncos WYWKBN Youngstown5hChiefs beat up Broncos 31-10 on Monday Night Football

Left2 sources

CleCleveland.com6hData projections predict a 23-20 MNF nail biter: What Polymarket shows for Broncos vs. Chiefs

The Guardian6hPatrick Mahomes triumphant on NFL return as Chiefs beat up misfiring Broncos

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right emphasizes Mahomes' personal comeback narrative — his sacrifice, leadership, and the emotional stakes of returning from the most serious injury of his career.

Daily Mail12hPatrick Mahomes makes his triumphant arrival ahead of his first start for Chiefs since horrific knee injury

Fox News6hChiefs' new stud Kenneth Walker runs wild, Bo Nix melts down as Kansas City obliterates Broncos in MNF blowout

New York Post13hBroncos vs. Chiefs prediction: Patrick Mahomes bombs 'Monday Night Football' return

What’s next: Sportsbooks list Kansas City as 2.5-point favorites, with the over/under at 43.5 points.

Mahomes said his first hit of the game will tell him whether he is fully back.
Will Mahomes show full mobility and downfield accuracy, or will protecting his knee limit his style of play?
How will the Chiefs' offensive line hold up against Denver's pass rush without Josh Simmons?