| MATCHUP | Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Spread | +2.5 -108 | -2.5 -112 |
| Moneyline | +114 | -135 |
| Total | Over 43.5 (-110) | Under 43.5 (-110) |
| Where | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO | |
| When | Monday, September 14, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:15 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
Denver Broncos Betting Preview
The Broncos have won 24 games in the last two seasons and were a win away from a Super Bowl appearance. The Broncos enter year four under coach Sean Payton.Bo Nix continues to make strides at quarterback, and he has a chance to take another step with the addition of Jaylen Waddle. It takes pressure off of Courtland Sutton and should also open things up for running back J.K. Dobbins. The Broncos have one of the best offensive lines in the league as well. Defensively, the Broncos are elite and led the league in sacks last season. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen create the pressure, while Pat Surtain II is a shutdown corner. The Broncos are legit title contenders and probably would have made the big game last season if Nix didn’t get hurt. This is one of the more complete teams in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs Betting Preview
The Chiefs didn’t make the playoffs last season and hope to avoid a second straight year with no postseason for the first time since 2012. Andy Reid enters his 14th season with Kansas City.
Patrick Mahomes appears to be good to go after a torn ACL, and questions remain about whether he’ll be ready in time for the regular season. Kenneth Walker III adds a splash at running back, and Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy have explosive potential at wide receiver. This could be one of the more balanced KC offenses we’ve seen recently. Defensively, Chris Jones and George Karlaftis create the pass rush, and the linebacker room is solid. The secondary is a question mark, but we’re to the point where we trust Steve Spagnuolo will figure things out. Overall, as long as Mahomes is upright, the Chiefs are Super Bowl contenders. It’s just that simple, folks.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs will win
- The favorites have won each of the last 10 games between the Broncos and Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
- The Broncos have lost eight of their last nine road openers.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Broncos’ last four games.
- The Broncos have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against AFC West opponents.
- The home team has won the first half in each of the Chiefs’ last four games.
- The Chiefs have won the first quarter in three of their last four Monday games.
Why the Denver Broncos will win
- The Chiefs have lost each of their last five games as favorites.
- The Broncos have won 13 of their last 14 games without Jarrett Stidham.
- The Chiefs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites against AFC opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the Broncos’ last eight Week 1 games.
- The underdogs have won the first half in six of the Chiefs’ last seven games.
- The underdogs have won the first quarter in each of the Broncos’ last two games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Chiefs’ last nine games against AFC opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Broncos’ last eight games at Arrowhead Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the last four games between AFC West teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
Kansas City Chiefs Player Prop Facts
- Kenneth Walker III has recorded 62+ rushing yards in each of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite.
- Travis Kelce has recorded 44+ receiving yards in 14 of the Chiefs’ last 15 games as favorites against AFC West opponents.
- Kenneth Walker III has recorded 111+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite.
- Kenneth Walker III has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last three home appearances.
- Justin Fields has recorded 216+ passing yards in three of his last four September home appearances.
- Justin Fields ranked 1st in the AFC for TD: INT ratio (7.00) last season.
Denver Broncos Player Prop Facts
- Courtland Sutton has scored a touchdown in each of the Broncos’ last four games as slight underdogs (<+3.5 points).
- Bo Nix has recorded 242+ passing yards in three of his last four appearances with the Broncos as underdogs.
- J.K. Dobbins has recorded 53+ rushing yards in each of his eight previous road appearances against division opponents.
- Bo Nix has recorded 23+ completions in seven of his last eight appearances.
- Pat Bryant has recorded 31+ receiving yards in each of his last six regular season appearances.
- J.K. Dobbins has recorded 75+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last seven road appearances against division opponents.
- Riley Moss ranked T1st in the league for passes defensed (19) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chiefs suffered the equal-most losses when leading at HT last season (6).
- The Chiefs suffered the most losses when leading after Q1 last season (9).
- The Broncos ranked 1st in the NFL in punt return yards per game (28.3) last season.
- The Broncos recorded the most wins when trailing at HT last season (10).
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs Prediction
The Chiefs are going to get the benefit of the doubt because they’re the Chiefs and they’re at home. However, it’s fair to say the Broncos are the more complete team at this stage, with fewer question marks. Not only did the offense get better, but that defense is elite. The Chiefs have questions in their secondary, and the offensive line has vulnerable spots as well.
Also, Mahomes was just cleared to play a day or two ago, so I do question just how ready he actually is. The Broncos have won 3 straight against the Chiefs and 4 of the last 5 overall. You can argue this version of the Broncos is even better. Give me the points in a game the Broncos could win outright.