It is back to the drawing board for coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos after getting crushed by the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-10, at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday.
The Broncos allowed the Chiefs to tally 392 yards, including 220 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a field day getting the ball to running back Kenneth Walker III, who had 23 touches for 173 yards and one touchdown in his debut for the Chiefs. Mahomes, meanwhile, threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a 15-yard run. He was only sacked once.
After the game, Payton lamented their lack of aggressiveness in getting to Mahomes, who returned from an ACL injury.
âÂÂPatrick's super smart. The ball's coming out. They (Chiefs) just weren't going to sit there in the pocket,â said Payton, as quoted by the Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson.
The 30-year-old Mahomes looked good after recovering from his ACL injury, which kept him out for their final three games last season, derailing Kansas City's chances to qualify for the playoffs.
Article Continues BelowThe Broncos could not get anything going in Week 1, with quarterback Bo Nix making multiple errors. He was sacked four times.
âÂÂObviously, not a good evening,â said Payton in a report from the Associated Press.
Mahomes, meanwhile, did not celebrate too much, acknowledging the quality of the Broncos.
âÂÂThey were in the AFC Championship Game for a reason. For us to go out and win like that, that's the first step. It shows all the work in training camp paid off. But how can we be better?â said the three-time Super Bowl MVP.
Denver will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.

