Kansas City Chiefs enjoy big win over divisional rivals Denver Broncos

[p]Three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mahomes-patrick/W2xC0Ev4/"]Mahomes[/a] tore his knee ligaments in December, but defied expectations to return in time for a statement victory in the final game of the new NFL season's opening weekend.[/p][p]His successful return was overshadowed by a stunning debut from his new [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kansas-city-chiefs/vienoNr7/"]Chiefs[/a] teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/walker-kenneth/nmrpbWBf/"]Kenneth Walker III[/a], who rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns.[/p][p]Running back Walker - the Most Valuable Player for the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/seattle-seahawks/f5h1oOee/"]Seattle Seahawks[/a] at last season's Super Bowl - switched to Kansas City in the off-season and dominated a Chiefs offense that relied heavily on his explosive rushing.[/p][p]"[b]I've been saying it all off-season, man. 'K9' is going to make a difference. That offensive line and 'K9', they took over the game[/b]," said Mahomes, referring to Walker by his nickname.[/p][p]Victory was a small measure of revenge for the Chiefs who, after nine straight AFC West titles, lost their divisional crown to the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/denver-broncos/l22ZmPbl/"]Broncos[/a] last year and failed to make the playoffs.[/p][p]Denver came within a game of reaching last year's Super Bowl, but were hampered by the broken ankle suffered by quarterback [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nix-bo/hnY04xIe/"]Bo Nix[/a], who had a torrid return from his own injury.[/p][p]Nix was sacked four times and gave up an interception, passing for 131 yards and one touchdown.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/football/denver-broncos-l22ZmPbl/kansas-city-chiefs-vienoNr7/?mid=S6B5MIKh"]In a disastrous start[/a], Nix was sacked on his first play and threw an interception on third down.[/p][p]Walker made an immediate impact, earning the Chiefs a first down. Mahomes scrambled to the endzone but celebrations were halted because of a holding offense.[/p][embed guid="d90ccec9-81c8-4a42-8c05-6d2d3832c04a" url="https://x.com/NFL/status/2099698836222702011?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The reprieve for Denver was brief. Mahomes immediately scrambled again, breaking through a tackle for a 15-yard rushing touchdown to cap Kansas City's first drive.[/p][p]"[b]It went really well. I mean, I didn't expect to run it that early, but I was able to use my legs early in the game[/b]," said Mahomes.[/p][p]The Broncos levelled the score in the first quarter when Nix found [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/engram-evan/vRbiq5tn/"]Evan Engram[/a] with a 19-yard pass and kicker Wil Lutz made his 100th straight extra point.[/p][p]Just before half-time, a Mahomes short pass found [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-rashee/tEVXtH9f/"]Rashee Rice[/a] for a touchdown to restore the Kansas City lead.[/p][p]A disappointing half for the Broncos offense ended with another Nix sack and things got worse when the game resumed.[/p][p]Walker ran 60 yards for a third Kansas City touchdown and a 21-7 advantage before the Broncos kicked a field goal.[/p][p]Then [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kelce-travis/reuqBYTM/"]Travis Kelce[/a], after a quiet night, received a Mahomes pass and ran 59 yards to the delight of his wife [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/taylor-jawaan/EcfsHQis/"]Taylor Swift[/a], who was repeatedly shown by broadcasters watching the game alongside Tom Cruise.[/p][p]The Chiefs settled for a field goal on that drive but another touchdown followed when Mahomes threw a shovel pass to Walker, who had lined up as a tight end and weaved through.[/p]