Tonight’s Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is already wild, and it’s not looking good for Kansas City. The Chiefs are hosting the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday Night Football, and they are in a seriously rough spot. They are hoping Patrick Mahomes’ remarkable return from a serious injury somehow turns the tide after a brutal 2025 campaign.
Mahomes Is Back, But Kansas City’s Losing Streak Is Real
Look, we all know what Patrick Mahomes means to that Chiefs squad, but things have been ugly for them. Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 season, and Kansas City finished 6-11, their first losing record since 2012, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They even ended 2025 on a six-game slide. That’s rough, man. To make matters worse, the Broncos have absolutely owned the Chiefs lately, winning three consecutive meetings and four of the last five, including that 20-13 home loss in Week 17 when Mahomes was out. Denver, on the other hand, had a monster 2025, going 14-3 and matching their franchise record for wins from 1998, ending Kansas City’s nine-year reign as AFC West champs!
So yeah, Mahomes is back, but so is Broncos QB Bo Nix, who suffered a broken ankle in last postseason’s divisional round. Nix missed their 10-7 loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, but he’s ready to roll now. This isn’t just a Week 1 game, it’s a statement game for both sides with serious history on the line.
AL Central Showdown: White Sox vs. Guardians for First Place
Switching to the diamond, ten MLB games are on Monday’s schedule, and one is a must-watch if you love high-stakes baseball. The Chicago White Sox visit the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field at 6:40 p.m. ET for the AL Central crown. The White Sox (76-73) have held or shared first place in the division since July 4, but they are only a half-game up on the Guardians (76-74). Cleveland also holds the third wild card spot in the AL. Chicago’s recent form isn’t great; they have lost 10 of their last 14 overall contests. Still, they have handled Cleveland well in the season series, going 6-4 against them. This three-game set opener is huge for momentum and could seriously shake up the division lead.
So tonight, whether you’re locked into Monday Night Football or watching the AL Central battle heat up, get ready for some intense action. For the Chiefs, this isn’t just a season opener, it’s a shot at showing they can still hang after a rough year. And for the White Sox and Guardians, it’s all about who takes the early lead in a crucial series that could decide the division.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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