Throughout the offseason program and training camp, all indications have been that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be ready to play Week 1 against the Broncos — despite suffering a torn ACL in December.
While Kansas City has not made an official announcement that Mahomes will be behind center, Denver head coach Sean Payton is treating that as a given this week.
Advertisement
“I’m going to probably say the same for Bo [Nix] — you’ve seen enough things where he’s going to be 100 percent and we’re preparing for him at his best,” Payton said in his Wednesday press conference, via transcript from the team. “We know how talented he is, and I’m sure he’s attacked the rehab the way Bo has with completely different injuries. That’s kind of our approach to it.”
Mahomes has historically fared quite well against the Broncos, with the Chiefs going 13-2 against them in his 15 starts. But Denver has also played him tough, as the quarterback has thrown for 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in those matchups. That’s a significant contrast to his numbers against the division-rival Raiders (36 TDs, five INTs) and Chargers (28 TDs, eight INTs).
The Broncos and Chiefs will cap Week 1 with Monday Night Football from Arrowhead Stadium.