Broncos vs Chiefs Game Analysis: Mending QBs
On September 14, the Chiefs host the Broncos for the first Monday Night Football game of the 2026 season. The AFC West rivals will start the season testing each other’s offseason updates.
The main questions are about the quarterbacks. Are they back to 100% after their late-season injuries? Both are set to start, which will add to the excitement of a Week 1 match between divisional rivals. Join us at PayPerHead to see which team is the favorite in this Broncos vs Chiefs prediction.
Denver Broncos Recent Scores: High Finish to 2025
The Broncos won the AFC West in 2025 with a 14-3 record, tying a franchise record set in 1998 for most wins in a single season. They earned the No. 1 seed, their first since their 2015 Super Bowl season.
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Broncos defeated the Bills 33-30, but starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the second-to-last play. Jarrett Stidham started in the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, which they lost 10-7.
In the 2026 preseason, Denver continued their long preseason winning streak by forcing turnovers with the Falcons and limiting them to 59 rushing yards. Bo Nix got to step in for a bit after his offseason ankle surgery.
- Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons – (W) 27-7
- Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers – (L) 13-33
- Week 3: vs. Minnesota Vikings – (W) 34-6
In Week 2, the Packers ended Denver’s winning streak. Denver led 10-7, but Green Bay took over and outscored the Broncos 26-3.
Most starters sat in Week 3, letting the backups take over.
Kansas City Chiefs Recent Scores: No Postseason
The Chiefs dropped from a 15-2 record in 2024 to 6-11 in 2025. They failed to win the AFC West for the first time since 2015 and were eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
They struggled with injuries throughout the season, most notably when Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15.
- Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams (L) 12-20
- Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L) 15-16
- Week 3: vs. Seattle Seahawks (T) 9-9
Broncos vs Chiefs History: Division Leaders
These teams have met twice a year since 1960, when they both became part of the AFC West. The Chiefs have won most of the regular-season games, with a 73-58 record, but the Broncos have the lone Playoff win in the 1998 Divisional Round. Denver is currently on a 3-game winning streak.
Together, they’ve won the last 16 AFC West titles.
Broncos vs Chiefs Prediction: Underdogs to Win
The home team, the Kansas City Chiefs, are 2.5-point favorites against the Broncos. There must be a lot of hope or sentimentality towards the Chiefs because they didn’t do so well last season, and their drafting has been poor for several years. Yes, they have one of the youngest rosters in the league, but their elite talent is aging.
Plus, Denver had the most sacks in 2025 (68) while allowing only 23. Denver beat the Chiefs in both games last season (22-19 at home and 20-13 on the road) and sacked the QB seven times (Mahomes only played in the first game). Mahomes will have to shorten the pass calls because of Denver’s top defense. Luckily, they acquired RB Kenneth Walker III in the offseason.
Kansas City will also have home-field advantage against a division rival. That can’t be discounted. But we still think the football gods tilt in Denver’s favor.
Our Broncos vs Chiefs prediction is an underdog win for the Broncos, 17-14. Remember to follow us on social media to stay tuned for this NFL season.
