For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs were swept by the Denver Broncos in the 2025 season. Mahomes still has a career record of 13-2 against the rival, pointing to the absolute domination that has defined much of the last decade. However, last season's frustrations were noteworthy in that it gave Denver confidence and made it of the utmost importance that KC re-establish itself as the class of the AFC West in the 2026 season.
With the NFL schedule expected to be released sometime in the next two weeks, there will be a lot of interest in where the Broncos land on the Chiefs' radar. Kansas City will need its absolute best punch to remind the Broncos that last season was the outlier and not the new norm.
Rival fans have long complained that Kansas City's domination was dependent on ref calls or situations that simply were out of their control. One off-season from the Chiefs, and this tune has changed with there being a continual building of confidence in Kansas City's demise. This is true both of rival fans and players, the level of clear disrespect for the dynastic Chiefs.
Kansas City must pay attention to the schedule drop, understanding that the first matchup with Denver is going to be paramount. It will be a game that both sides have circled and give the Chiefs the chance to reclaim their spot back on top.
Chiefs Must Pay Attention to Denver in NFL Schedule Release Understanding Battle Ahead
Ideally, the first matchup with Denver will be a month or so into the season, giving Patrick Mahomes time to get his legs back under him. While the quarterback's recovery timeline has been incredible, there is no doubting that it's going to be an adjustment coming back and regaining confidence in his legs and taking hits.
Having the first matchup with Denver being after this has taken place would give Kansas City their best shot at a dominating win that shrinks the newfound confidence of Denver. It isn't just important for the Chiefs to win, but to do so in a fashion that reminds the Broncos who they have been for much of the last decade.
Mahomes already has 13 career wins against the Broncos and wasn't on the field for one of last year's defeats. Getting swept by Denver is unlikely to happen again during Mahomes prime seasons if what we've seen through the first half of his career holds. Denver is in for a rude awakening, as the Chiefs must put far more focus after giving the team confidence during 2025's failures. While there are a number of important matchups fans will have their eye on, none will be more important than when KC gets its first chance to re-establish division dominance.
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