NFL

Today's top games to watch, best bets, odds: Broncos vs. Chiefs on MNF, White Sox vs. Guardians and more

September 14, 2026

Patrick Mahomes returns to action just nine months after tearing his ACL as the Kansas City Chiefs wrap up Week 1 of the 2026 NFL schedule against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. 500 finish since 2012 before Andy Reid arrived, and their first postseason absence since 2014.

Mahomes went down in Week 15 and sat out the final three contests, including a 20-13 home defeat against Denver in Week 17, while the Broncos went on to tie a club benchmark from 1998 with 14 wins, snapping Kansas City's nine-season streak atop the AFC West.

m. ET matchup having dropped three straight to Denver and four of the last five overall, after previously dominating the rivalry with 16 consecutive victories.

The Broncos are also celebrating an under-center comeback, as 26-year-old Bo Nix steps back onto the field for the first time since fracturing his ankle late in a 33-30 overtime triumph over the Buffalo Bills during the divisional round. That injury sidelined Nix for Denver's ensuing 10-7 AFC Championship defeat against the New England Patriots, setting up an intriguing quarterback clash in the prime-time opener.