A tale of two AFC West teams looking for similar endings in 2026, as the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos kick off their 2026 schedules on "Monday Night Football."
Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes is back after a knee injury cut his 2025 season short. In Week 15, the Chiefs passer tore his ACL and LCL in a matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. While Mahomes wasn't robbed of much playing time, the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention the same day that Mahomes was injured.
The Chiefs and their star quarterback hope their 2026 season ends on a sweeter note. That said, they face a tough mountain to climb in the Broncos, both in Week 1 and potentially beyond.
Denver is facing a similar situation, with the loss of their quarterback potentially
prematurely ending their season. Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the Broncos' AFC divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills, with their season ending a week later in the AFC championship game to the New England Patriots.
Now, a fully healthy Nix and Denver's dominant defense look to change the ending to their story, while the Chiefs look to pen a new chapter themselves.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more for tonight's "MNF" game. All times are Eastern:
Where to watch, stream Chiefs vs. Broncos on Monday Night Football
- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN/ABC
- Live stream: Fubo
Watch NFL action all season with Fubo (free trial)
Chiefs vs. Broncos preview
Week 1 is important. Week 1 divisional matchups are crucial. Week 1 divisional matchups between two teams who have Super Bowl aspirations might be as "must-win" as it gets at this point in the season.
That's the case with the Chiefs and Broncos in Week 1. Both teams figure to be in the equation for the AFC West, with little room to spare between the two.
There are a few things to watch in this game. First, Patrick Mahomes' health: will the Chiefs QB be at 100%? Mahomes is cleared to play, but whether he's at full capacity will be worth watching. That means full mobility, confidence in his surgically repaired leg and, well, "Mahomes being Mahomes"-type play throughout the matchup will be watched with a close eye.
The other matchup to watch will be the Broncos' pass rush vs. the Chiefs' offensive line. With KC left tackle Josh Simmons out, will the Chiefs OL be able to hold a ferocious pass rush at bay?
All that, and more, fills a critical "Monday Night Football" matchup on Monday night.
Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates
Chiefs vs. Broncos odds, moneyline
04:15 PM ET, September 14 2026, Joe Rivera- Spread: Chiefs -3
- Moneyline: Chiefs -155; Broncos +130
- Over/Under: 43.5
What time is the Chiefs-Broncos game?
04:00 PM ET, September 14 2026, Joe Rivera- Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT
The first "MNF" game of the 2026 schedule is set for 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for "Monday Night Football."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs vs. Broncos live updates, start time, where to watch Monday Night Football Week 1
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