The Kansas City Chiefs received an early return on their investment in free agent running back Kenneth Walker. The Super Bowl MVP was spectacular in his Chiefs debut with 191 yards running and receiving as KC regains their swagger in a 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos.
In the early stages of free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs struck gold in signing running back Keneth Walker away from the Super Bowl champions. Seattle had hoped to keep their superstar, but the lure of joining Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs was too hard to pass up.
Walker had 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, including a 60-yard touchdown run that gave the Chiefs a 14-point lead early in the third quarter. The Chiefs haven’t had a running back with Walker’s immense talent since Jamaal Charles.
He punished the Broncos’ highly touted defense and gave his teammates a glimpse of what he can do in this run-heavy Chiefs offense. Walker also added a short touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter. Backup rookie running back Emmitt Johnson also had a terrific game running and receiving. He ended the game with 24 rushing yards and 44 yards receiving, including a big third-down play late in the game.
Speaking of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback, nine months removed from his knee ACL/PCL surgery, he was rusty, but he ended the Chiefs’ first drive of the game with a 15-yard touchdown run.
He showed no ill effects of the surgery, and it was clear he had no limitations during the game. Andy Reid committed to the run game early, which allowed Mahomes to get his cleats in the field. He was sacked twice, but he had two touchdown passes; the first was to Rashee Rice late in the second quarter.
He did have an ugly interception, but that was the fault of receiver Xavier Worthy, who ran the wrong route. Yet he simply managed the game, and that rust will wear off at some point; this win was huge for Mahomes. Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with 71 yards in receiving, including a 59-yard scamper that led to a Harrison Butker field goal.
On the flip side, despite losing rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, who was injured after his first career interception on the Broncos’ first drive of the game, the Broncos only had 192 total offense. The Chiefs’ defense was aggressive, pinned their ears back, and attacked the line of scrimmage.
Bo Nix settled down after his interception, but the Broncos only scored three points in the second half. The Chiefs’ defense simply made life miserable for Denver. Rookie offensive coordinator Davis Webb struggled in the first play-calling duties of his career.
Before this game, the Broncos, despite being a 2.5-point underdog in Kansas City, were the clear choice to pick up where they left off last season. They have a terrific deep roster, but they couldn’t set the tone in this AFC West contest against the Chiefs.
Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton, who gave up the play-calling duties to Webb this season, at least for now, didn’t have any answers for the Chiefs’ running game and the defense that made his quarterback play so poorly.
After missing the playoffs a year ago, the Chiefs were on a mission to change the narrative and show the NFL world they were back. It was a huge statement, and those who doubted Mahomes, even though he missed some open receivers, engineered a blowout win over Denver.
Heading into this game, most people felt Andy Reid would not stay committed to the run, but it’s clear this was the plan since they signed Walker and revamped their offensive line.
Speaking of the offensive line, undrafted rookie left tackle Khalil Benson held last season’s sack leader, Nik Bonita, who had no sacks and just two tackles. Benson is filling in for Josh Simmons, who is rehabbing a back injury.
There’s no need to rush him back, and if the Chiefs get another performance like this next Sunday night when Kansas City hosts the Indianapolis Colts, they could let him rehab until the Chiefs return from their bye week after back-to-back road games at Atlanta and Las Vegas.
It’ll be a short week for everyone as they get ready for the Colts, who struggled Sunday at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
For now, the Chiefs will enjoy this win and get back to business on Tuesday.
