Chiefs vs. Broncos Preview: NFL Week 1 Predictions and Betting Odds
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to begin the 2026 NFL season against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, looking to recover from a disappointing 2025 season that saw them finish with a 6-11 record. The Broncos, who were the defending AFC West champions with a 14-3 record last season, reached the AFC Championship Game but lost to the New England Patriots.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs are currently favored by 2.5 points, with the total points over/under set at 43.5 according to SportsLine consensus. SportsLine's model, which has simulated the game 10,000 times, predicts a total of 39 combined points.
The model forecasts that Denver's quarterback Bo Nix will pass for under 200 yards with one touchdown, while Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes is projected to throw for 180 yards and one score. The Broncos had a strong defense last season, allowing an average of 18.3 points per game, ranking third in the NFL, while the Chiefs allowed 19.3 points, placing them sixth.
