Broncos vs Chiefs predictions, graded
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs · Week 1, 2026 · Mon, Sep 14 · Final: Broncos 10, Chiefs 31 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Broncos vs Chiefs? Of 25 pundits with a call on record, 19 take the Broncos and 6 take the Chiefs. 8 named a score; the median has the Broncos by 2.5. The Chiefs won 31-10, so 6 of 25 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 25 out of 100.
Who the room took
25 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBroncos vs Chiefs picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Sports IllustratedBroncos 5, Chiefs 3
- CBS SportsBroncos 4, Chiefs 1
- Locked On Broncos (podcast)all 4 Broncos
- First Things First (podcast)all 2 Broncos
The other 6 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Broncos 4, Chiefs 2.
Broncos vs Chiefs score predictions
8 pundits named a score; the median call is Broncos by 2.5, and the final was Chiefs by 21.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Pete PriscoChiefs 20, Broncos 17Close · 57
- John BreechBroncos 23, Chiefs 21Miss · 5
- Jordan DajaniBroncos 17, Chiefs 14Miss · 7
- Tyler SullivanBroncos 24, Chiefs 20Miss · 10
- Jared DubinBroncos 21, Chiefs 20Miss · 2
- Richard ShermanBroncos 21, Chiefs 13Miss · 19
- Mike FlorioChiefs 20, Broncos 17Close · 57
- Matt HamiltonBroncos 27, Chiefs 17Miss · 24
- John BreechBroncos 26, Chiefs 20Miss · 14
Broncos at Chiefs: how they came in
The Broncos went 14-3 last season and the Chiefs went 6-11 last season. It is a division game. On win totals, 15 pundits put the Broncos at 10.9 wins on average, and 8 pundits put the Chiefs at 10.4 wins on average.
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri · Division game
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 24th, defense 7th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 14-3
- Win-total calls
- 15 pundits · average 10.9 · 9.5 to 13 wins
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 4th, defense 8th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 6-11
- Win-total calls
- 8 pundits · average 10.4 · 9 to 13 wins
Broncos and Chiefs players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Broncos
- Bo NixStarting QB · QB
1,730 passing yards · 11 TD, 4 INT · 60.6% completions · 116 rushing yards · 9 games · 18th in the NFL in passing yards
Bo Nix to finish QB1 (1–12) at his position, by fantasy points
“Nix offers a relatively safe floor but might have a limited ceiling. Consider him a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.” the article →
Bo Nix to be 1st on the depth chart
“If practice continues to go as it has, fans can expect Nix to be ready to go for the Week 1 away game.” the article →
- J.K. DobbinsRB1 · RB
324 rushing yards on 98 carries · 3 TD · 9 catches for 31 · 9 games · 29th in the NFL in rushing yards
J.K. Dobbins to be 1st on the depth chart
“So Dobbins is back... I think Dobbins gets a majority of the early down carries and the goal line carries.” the article →
“That leaves him as a touchdown-dependent FLEX.” the article →
- Jaylen WaddleWR1 · WR
30 catches for 337 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 57th in the NFL in receiving yards
Jaylen Waddle to outplay his draft cost (drafted as a WR2)
“Waddle is one of my flag-plant players this year and can easily be drafted as a WR2 with WR1 upside.” the article →
Jaylen Waddle to be 1st on the depth chart
“a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal and a new WR1 in Jaylen Waddle” the article →
- Evan EngramTE1 · TE
17 catches for 169 yards · 1 TD · 9 games · 137th in the NFL in receiving yards
- Nik BonittoSack leader · LB
4.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 9 games · 22nd in the NFL in sacks
- Alex SingletonTackle leader · LB
2 sacks · 50 solo tackles · 9 games · 2nd in the NFL in solo tackles
Chiefs
- Patrick MahomesStarting QB · QB
2,037 passing yards · 14 TD, 4 INT · 67.3% completions · 8 games · 11th in the NFL in passing yards
Patrick Mahomes to stay with Kansas City Chiefs
“QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs ... the dozen players that most likely won't be traded” the article →
Patrick Mahomes to be 1st on the depth chart
“Signs are pointing toward Patrick Mahomes being out there... if he's on the field, he's out there not because they think he's 85%.” the article →
- Kenneth Walker IIIRB1 · RB
872 rushing yards on 159 carries · 11 TD · 26 catches for 172 · 8 games · 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards
Kenneth Walker III to win MVP
“If he stays healthy, Walker has a good chance at becoming the fitst non-quarterback to win league MVP since Adrian Peterson did so back in 2012.” the article →
Kenneth Walker III to finish top 4 at his position, by fantasy points
“Fitz, where is Kenneth Walker for the rest of the season? Running back four, behind the big three of Gibbs, Bijan, and McCaffrey.” the article →
- Josh DownsWR1 · WR
33 catches for 354 yards · 1 TD · 9 games · 51st in the NFL in receiving yards
Josh Downs to move to Pittsburgh Steelers
“Trade 4 Steelers receive: Josh Downs Colts receive: 2027 third-round pick” the article →
Josh Downs to move to Los Angeles Rams
“What about the Rams? ... And I think if Downs went to the Rams, I could see having him as a wide receiver three the rest of the way.” the article →
- Travis KelceTE1 · TE
33 catches for 482 yards · 2 TD · 8 games · 26th in the NFL in receiving yards
Travis Kelce to finish top 8 at his position, by fantasy points
“Travis Kelsey at tight end rest of season. Where is he at for you, Fitz? TE8.” the article →
Travis Kelce to record 78 receptions
“If Kelce continues to average 4.6 receptions per game, he will finish the year with 78 catches if he plays all 17 games at the average.” the article →
- George KarlaftisSack leader · DE
4 sacks · 14 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 30th in the NFL in sacks
George Karlaftis to be 1st on the depth chart
“are expected to start George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte on the edge, with rookie R Mason Thomas sprinkled in” the article →
- Nick BoltonTackle leader · LB
38 solo tackles · 8 games · 11th in the NFL in solo tackles
Every call on Broncos at Chiefs
1–25 of 42
Denver Broncos 24 — Chiefs 20
Tyler Sullivan's pick: Broncos 24-20 over Chiefs (Sullivan is 13-2 with his picks this week)
Kansas City Chiefs 20 — Broncos 17
Prisco's pick: Chiefs 20-17 over Broncos
Denver Broncos 21 — Chiefs 20
Jared Dubin's pick: Broncos 21-20 over Chiefs
Denver Broncos 23 — Chiefs 21
John Breech's pick: Broncos 23-21 over Chiefs
Denver Broncos 17 — Chiefs 14
Jordan Dajani's pick: Broncos 17-14 over Chiefs
Denver Broncos 21 — Chiefs 20
Pick: Broncos 21, Chiefs 20
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City
as much as I wanna go with Patrick, because I love him, I'm going with Denver too, but only with two.
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
I'm going five chips on the Denver Broncos. Another upset. Outright winner for Denver.
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City
I got the Broncos. They game, too... It ain't going to beat that defense the Broncos got.
Denver Broncos 17 — Chiefs 14
Prediction: Broncos 17, Chiefs 14
Denver Broncos 21 — Chiefs 20
Prediction: Broncos 21, Chiefs 20
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos (+2.5) at Kansas City Chiefs ... However, I expect their defense to quickly remind folks of its dominance as we wrap up Week 1 on Monday night.
Denver Broncos 21 — Kansas City 13
20-13. 21-13, Denver.
Kansas City Chiefs 20 — Broncos 17
Chiefs 20, Broncos 17.
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
Broncos at Chiefs — Gilberto Manzano: Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Broncos
Broncos at Chiefs — John Pluym: Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Broncos
Broncos at Chiefs — Matt Verderame: Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs to beat Broncos
Broncos at Chiefs — Mike Kadlick: Chiefs
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
Broncos at Chiefs — Albert Breer: Broncos
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
Broncos at Chiefs — Mitch Goldich: Broncos
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
Broncos at Chiefs — Eva Geitheim: Broncos
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
Broncos at Chiefs — Conor Orr: Broncos
Denver Broncos to beat Chiefs
(6) Chiefs at (3) Broncos ... the home team coming out victorious in five of our six wild-card games
Kansas City Chiefs 20 — Broncos 17
Pick: Chiefs 20, Broncos 17
Denver Broncos to beat Kansas City Chiefs
Broncos starting the season out with a dub? Absolutely. ... I think that the Broncos are going to win this game.