PHOENIX (AP) Esteury Ruiz hit a three-run double in the 11th inning to lift the Miami Marlins over the Arizona 4-2 on Tuesday night, dealing a major blow to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes.
The D-backs could have gained a game in the National League wild-card race after the San Diego Padres lost to Colorado, but instead remained 2 1/2 games back for the final playoff spot with 10 remaining.
With two outs in the 11th, Ruiz ripped a sinker from reliever Taylor Clarke (2-4) deep into the left-center gap, scoring Otto Lopez, Jared Serna and Kyle Stowers. It was just the Marlins’ fifth hit of the night.
The D-backs nearly won the game in the 10th inning, but Geraldo Perdomo was thrown out at home by Serna on a grounder to second base by Ryan Waldschmidt.
Arizona left 15 runners on base.
Miami’s Josh Ekness (2-3) pitched two innings to earn the win. Arizona’s Ketel Marte had an RBI double with two outs in the 11th to cut the deficit to 4-2, but Gabriel Moreno grounded out to end the game.
D-backs right-hander Michael Soroka gave up one run over five innings, striking out six, including five in a row during the second and third innings.
Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the first on Moreno’s solo homer that traveled 431 feet, deep into the left-center seats. It was his 14th longball of the season. Miami countered in the fourth when Griffin Conine’s solo homer to right-center tied the game.
Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado left the game early because of right thumb inflammation.
The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (9-13, 4.97 ERA) to the mound Wednesday while the Marlins counter with RHP Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14).
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Chambliss’ breakout 2025 season would have been the talk of college football if not for his coach’s antics. Now he has a chance to take the spotlight by force
Trinidad Chambliss transferred from Division II Ferris State to be a backup quarterback in the SEC. Instead, he took over the starting job. He led the Power Four in total yards. Ole Miss made its first-ever College Football Playoff and won multiple games — the best season in program history.
Of course, Chambliss was never allowed to be the biggest story in college football. He wasn’t even allowed to be the biggest story in Oxford. That had to be Lane Kiffin.
It always has to be Lane Kiffin.
When Vanity Fair came to Ole Miss this offseason, it was to profile the Rebels’ exciting quarterback. The same offseason, they traveled to Baton Rouge. There was no love for quarterback Sam Leavitt, star tight end Trey’Dez Green or linebacker Whit Weeks.
Of course not. It was Kiffin, Kiffin, Kiffin.
On Saturday, No. 8 Ole Miss hosts Kiffin’s No. 7 LSU in perhaps the biggest game in program history. And for Chambliss, against his former coach, it’s a moment to step into the spotlight and make his case as the best quarterback in America.
It took almost no time at all for Chambliss to assert himself after winning the starting job last season. Ironically, it was a win over No. 4 LSU that proved to be his coming-out party. Chambliss threw for 314 yards and rushed for 71 to upset the Tigers.
His most magical moment came against No. 3 Georgia in the College Football Playoff, recording 362 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 40-yard pass to De’Zhaun Stribling to set up a game-winning field goal.
“He absolutely showed playmaker and gamer ability,” former Titans GM Ran Carthon said earlier this year. “He put a lot of that Ole Miss offense on his back and carried them throughout the playoffs. You love that about him and his absolute playmaking skills.
“He makes you a believer in what he’s capable of doing. Kind of gives you some Russell Wilson type vibes.”
Statistically, Chambliss led the SEC with 3,937 passing yards and threw 22 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He led three game-winning drives during a 13-win season and cleared 300 yards passing eight times. And yet, it was only enough for him to finish eighth in Heisman voting, appearing on only 14 ballots. Georgia Tech’s Haynes King, for comparison, appeared on 13.
But against LSU this week, Chambliss has a chance to step out of the spotlight and prove himself as the nation’s best quarterback. The senior already has one game-winning drive on his resume in 2026 to beat No. 24 Louisville, throwing 336 yards and three touchdowns in the win. And now, he faces one of the biggest moments of his career.
Through two games, LSU’s defense has been as disruptive as any in the country. Chambliss’s former teammate, Princewill Umanmielen, leads the nation with 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. The Tigers allowed just 124.0 passing yards per game through two matchups, good enough for 12th in the country.
Kiffin tried to entice Chambliss to follow him to Baton Rouge, but the latter decided to team up with star running back Kewan Lacy and stay put. One week after LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw three interceptions against Louisiana Tech, Chambliss can show Kiffin what he misses.
Chambliss is the best story in college football, a Division II national champion who has proven himself on the big stage. With Kiffin returning to Oxford, he can deliver the most meaningful performance of his career.
Cardinals’ Budda Baker: Gets to Herbert late in Week 1 win
Baker recorded five tackles (four solo), including 0.5 sacks, during the Cardinals‘ 26-14 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Baker and linebacker Jack Gibbens combined for an eight-yard sack on Justin Herbert late in the fourth quarter, setting back any dim hopes the Chargers had of making a late comeback. The combined sack matched Baker’s total from last season, and he was one of three Cardinals to play all 55 defensive snaps in Sunday’s win. The veteran safety has six 100-plus tackle campaigns under his belt, but he’ll need more production in the box score in order to make it seven seasons reaching that milestone.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning went viral on social media after laughing at a controversial AI-generated video during a media availability.
Manning, 22, was riffing with reporters during an availability on Monday and was asked about seeing clips of the mayhem following Texas’s historic win over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday. One reporter asked about whether he saw any of the AI edits going around social media.
“I saw a few AI edits but that’s about it,” Manning said with a laugh. “I saw an AI edit of Sark’s interview. Of him slapping [reporter] Holly Rowe? Yeah, it’s hilarious.”
A tangible portion of the Texas press corps, which includes print and television, can be heard laughing along while Manning delivered his response. Evan Vieth, the reporter who asked Manning the question, tweeted the video with the added caption that Manning’s answer was “gold.” The video quickly went viral Monday evening and as of Tuesday morning has been viewed more than 20 million times.
During the game on Saturday, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian walked away from the traditional postgame interview with reporter Holly Rowe, yelling “Texas fight! Hook ’em!” and running off. Rowe was visibly annoyed after the fact.
In response, a social media user AI generated a revolting video of Sarkisian turning back and slapping Rowe in the face and yelling at the camera. The video went viral, but received many more views after Manning brought attention with his comments.
AI videos and edits have become common on major social media sites over the past several years following growth of the technology. They are often used to spread misinformation or make jokes at the expense of their subjects.
Sarkisian also ran away from reporter Laura Rutledge at halftime, claiming that they made him wait too long. Rutledge said on the broadcast that he apologized to her at the time before running off, and that a technical issue was to blame after Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s interview prior. ESPN issued via Rutledge a public apology to Sarkisian to begin the third quarter, shouldering the blame for the technical issues.
Texas was trailing 20-3 at the time before coming back to win 24-23, the biggest comeback of the 21st century against an AP No. 1 team.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal take a throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers marked their record-tying 14th consecutive trip to MLB’s postseason with a toast of bubbly after Monday night’s 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The bigger celebrations will come later.
“It’s hard to say it ever feels routine, but it is the expectation here,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “I always laugh whenever we clinch a postseason spot, we just do a nice little toast. The guys that haven’t been here, they kind of see that and they expect a little bit more. That happens when you clinch the division.”
The two-time defending World Series champions, who joined Milwaukee and Tampa Bay as teams who have secured playoff spots, cut their magic number to three for a fifth straight NL West title and 13th in 14 seasons.
Los Angeles tied the Atlanta Braves’ postseason run from 1991 through 2005. The Braves made five World Series trips during that span, but won only in 1995.
“Thankfully we’re doing a little bit better than that,” Muncy said of the Dodgers three titles and five trips to the Fall Classic during their run.
Tarik Skubal — who pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only three hits — said the way the Dodgers handled clinching a postseason spot was definitely different compared to clinching situations he encountered the past two seasons with Detroit.
“I think it just speaks to the people in this room and what they expect out of this team. That was cool. A little toast and move on. Forget it happened. We’ve got more to accomplish this season,” he said.
Dave Roberts, who is in his 11th season as manager, said his message during the toast was that the Dodgers have accomplished a lot to this point but haven’t come close to playing their best baseball yet.
“We go through a lot of players every year, and guys find a way to step up, and so that’s the thing I’m probably most proud of, is the consistency of winning over the long term,” he said. “Any team, any organization can win in a given year where things line up, but to do it every single year when you’re expected to do this says something about the entire organization.”
The Dodgers (91-59) currently are the second seed in the NL. They are 2 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta and trail Milwaukee by 2 games for the top seed.
A first-round bye is important any time but especially this year for the Dodgers, who are not at full strength. First baseman Freddie Freeman has been plagued by right knee soreness and two-time NL MVP Shohei Ohtani is on the 15-day injured list due to right biceps inflammation.
“Given where our guys are health wise, to get that week would be huge. We’ve still got to play well to finish out the season to get to that point,” Roberts said before Monday’s game.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A “Widow’s Bay” wave slammed into the Emmy Awards on Monday night as the Apple TV show set a single-season record for a comedy with 14 wins, including best comedy series and best actor for star Matthew Rhys, who personally took home three trophies.
“The celebrations will be long, varied, and I hope at times wild,” Rhys said backstage while holding two of his Emmys.
“The Pitt” won best drama series for the second straight year, and star Noah Wyle repeated as best actor in a drama, but the HBO Max emergency room drama won no other Emmys and underperformed its expectations.
Katie Dippold, center, and the team from “Widow’s Bay” accept the award for outstanding comedy series during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) License this photo
Noah Wyle poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for “The Pitt” and outstanding drama series for “The Pitt” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) License this photo
Rhea Seehorn won best actress in a drama for “Pluribus,” and Jean Smart won her fifth best actress in a comedy award for the fifth and final season of “Hacks.” No actor had won an Emmy every year for a series that lasted more than three seasons until Smart did it Monday.
Every other comedy award went to “Widow’s Bay,” which unequivocally owned the night and broke the comedy series record set last year by “The Studio” when it won 13.
The ‘weird’ ‘Widow’s Bay’ sweeps across categories
Along with best actor in a comedy, Rhys won best actor in a limited series for “The Beast in Me,” becoming the first man to win two leading actor categories in the same year, and he gets one of the best comedy series trophies as an executive producer for “Widow’s Bay.”
The first-season series created by Katie Dippold leans hard into both comedy and horror as it tells the story of a New England island community, with Rhys as its mayor, reckoning with a centuries-old curse.
“Thank you, Apple, for letting us take this crazy, creative swing,” Dippold said as she accepted the best comedy award. “They truly just let us do this weird show.”
Katie Dippold, in front, and the team from “Widow’s Bay” accept the award for outstanding comedy series during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Woody Harrelson looks on from left. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Hiro Murai poses in the press room with the award for outstanding directing for a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) License this photo
Matthew Rhys poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for “The Beast In Me,” and outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) License this photo
Apple TV solidified its status as the owner of the Emmy comedy categories. Between “Widow’s Bay,” “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” it has won best comedy series four times in six seasons. The latter two shows were between seasons and not eligible this year.
“Widow’s Bay” also won for directing for Hiro Murai and for writing for its creator Dippold, a first-time Emmy winner and first-time nominee who was previously best known for a decade-old viral tweet showing her awkwardly dressed as “The Babadook.”
“When I was sitting there in that costume,” Dippold said backstage after the show, “I did not think that this moment would happen.”
“Widow’s Bay” had won eight Emmys in a previous ceremony before sweeping all six of its categories Monday night. Stephen Root won best supporting actor in a comedy series and Kate O’Flynn won best supporting actress.
“The Pitt” was the top drama nominee with 25 and “Hacks” was the top comedy nominee with 24, but neither made much of a splash when it came time to claim trophies.
Smart’s was the only win for “Hacks” on Monday night.
“What a ride this has been,” an emotional Smart said after getting a standing ovation.
Jean Smart accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for “Hacks” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The 75-year-old has won eight Emmys overall in a career that was already more than respectable when she landed her defining role of Deborah Vance, a brash stand-up comic pushing back against age, obscurity and sexism in the HBO Max series.
And best drama and best actor were the only wins for “The Pitt,” though it had won four at an earlier ceremony.
Wyle won for playing Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a role that brought him a major career revival after starring in “ER” in the 1990s.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and this is the only club I’ve ever wanted to join,” Wyle said in his acceptance.
1 of 11 | Matthew Rhys poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for “The Beast In Me,” and outstanding lead actor in a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
2 of 11 | Kate O’Flynn accepts the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
3 of 11 | Katie Dippold, center, and the team from “Widow’s Bay” accept the award for outstanding comedy series during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
4 of 11 | Noah Wyle poses in the press room with the awards for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for “The Pitt” and outstanding drama series for “The Pitt” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
5 of 11 | Andrew Rannells, left, and Host Mariska Hargitay perform during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
6 of 11 | Macaulay Culkin, from left, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O’Hara during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
7 of 11 | Michael J. Fox accepts the Bob Hope humanitarian award during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
8 of 11 | Zendaya, right, presents the award for outstanding lead actress in comedy series to Jean Smart, left, for “Hacks” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
9 of 11 | Allison Janney, right, wins the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for “The Diplomat” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
10 of 11 | Stephen Colbert poses in the press room with the award for outstanding variety series for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
11 of 11 | Host Mariska Hargitay speaks during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Seehorn gets her first Emmy, Janney and Pelphrey beat ‘Pitt’ competition
Seehorn won her first Emmy for playing the lone central character on Apple TV’s “Pluribus.”
The 54-year-old had been nominated twice without winning for her breakthrough role on “Better Call Saul,” a show from “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan, who put Seehorn at the center of “Pluribus.” Gilligan won his fifth career Emmy for his writing on the show.
Allison Janney won best supporting actress in a drama for “The Diplomat,” and Tom Pelphrey won supporting actor in a drama for “Task,” both beating several nominees from “The Pitt.”
“DTF St. Louis” won best limited series. Stars David Harbour and Linda Cardellini both won for supporting acting at a previous ceremony on Sept. 6 as the Television Academy moved several categories off the main telecast to shorten the show. “DTF St. Louis” won seven Emmys overall.
Rhea Seehorn accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for “Pluribus” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) License this photo
Allison Janney poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for “The Diplomat” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) License this photo
Linda Cardellini, left, and David Harbour pose in the press room with the awards for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie and outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for “DTF St. Louis” during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) License this photo
Kate O’Flynn accepts the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) License this photo
‘Widow’s Bay’ gets rewarded for its elite cast
“Widow’s Bay” brought a combination of younger, well-respected unknowns and widely known and beloved veterans to work on the show.
It was the first Emmy for both O’Flynn and Root.
O’Flynn, a 40-year-old British actor whose previous acclaim came mostly for her work in theater, plays Patricia Moyer, a city worker and social outcast dealing with a demonic darkness on “Widow’s Bay.”
“This is the role of a lifetime,” O’Flynn said from the stage. “This is for all the Patricias out there.”
Root, one of the most ubiquitous character actors of the last few decades, beat out Harrison Ford, who many thought would get his first major competitive Hollywood award for his role on “Shrinking.”
Sofia Vergara, left, presents the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series to Stephen Root, right, for “Widow’s Bay” during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“Thank you, sir, for all your many years of great, great, great acting,” Root said to Ford during his acceptance.
Root, 74, is the oldest person to win the category.
Sally Field, 79, became the oldest woman to win best actress in a limited or anthology series or TV movie for “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”
Colbert wins after cancellation again
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” taken off the air by CBS, won best variety series. It’s one of six Emmys the show has won this year after the show was cancelled for what the network said was economic reasons while many believe it was his criticism of the Trump administration.
“If you like the comedy tonight, my old writers wrote it,” Colbert said.
Cardinals’ Bam Knight: Uneventful performance in win
Knight played three offensive snaps and three special teams snaps in Sunday’s 26-14 win over the Chargers.
Despite a stellar preseason, Knight did not see much action in Sunday’s regular-season opener. The running back was simply an emergency option behind first-round rookie Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier. Knight will likely see no snaps after James Connor (foot) returns from injured reserve.
Cardinals’ Kendrick Bourne: Productive debut with Arizona
Bourne caught all eight of his targets for 75 yards during the Cardinals‘ 26-14 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
It was a nice Cardinals debut for Bourne, with five of his catches going for 10-plus yards. He led all Arizona wide receivers in targets, catches and yards and finished behind tight end Trey McBride in all of those categories. It was Bourne’s most productive outing since Week 5 of the 2025 season as a member of the 49ers, and he could be emerging as a preferred target for Jacoby Brissett over fellow wideouts Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson. Up next for Bourne and the Cardinals is a Week 2 NFC West tilt against the Super Bowl champion Seahawks on Sept. 20.
Cardinals’ Chad Ryland: Stays busy in Week 1 upset win
Ryland converted four of five field-goal attempts and both PATs in Sunday’s 26-14 win over the Chargers.
Ryland was busy in Arizona’s upset win, as the kicker accounted for 14 of the Cardinals‘ points by making field goals from 27, 44, 34 and 49 yards. His lone miss came from 54 yards after Ryland banged it off the right upright. Ryland was subpar last season, going just 25-for-33 on field goals and a perfect 36-for-36 on PATs, finishing as fantasy’s No. 19 overall kicker.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) So many people seemed to be focused on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and how the two-time MVP’s surgically repaired left knee would hold up in Kansas City’s season opener against the Denver Broncos, that they forgot all about Kenneth Walker III.
The reigning Super Bowl MVP won’t be surprising anyone else anytime soon.
Walker ran for 173 yards and scored two touchdowns in his Chiefs debut, helping to take some of the pressure off Mahomes in his first game back, and Kansas City exacted some revenge on Denver for stealing its AFC West crown with a 31-10 victory Monday night.
Walker carried 23 times to finish with the most yards rushing by a Chiefs player since Jamaal Charles ran for 226 against the Colts in 2012, the year before Andy Reid became their coach. The ex-Seahawks star also had three catches for 18 yards.
“He did a really nice job,” Reid said, “and you never know going in how many times you’re going to give him the ball. That’s not a calculated thing. You have to be making yards. For him to play the way he did I thought was spectacular.”
Mahomes wasn’t a slouch, either. With a brace protecting his left knee, he threw for 184 yards and two scores while also running for another score, helping the Chiefs snap a three-game skid against the rival that ended their nine-year run as division champs.
“They were in the AFC championship game for a reason,” Mahomes said. “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?”
Good question.
The Chiefs helped to make Denver positively abysmal on offense in its first game with coordinator Davis Webb calling the plays.
Bo Nix threw for 131 yards with an interception and a lost fumble, and the Broncos finished with 176 yards of offense, all despite the offseason splash they made by trading a package of draft picks to Miami for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle had one catch for 2 yards. Evan Engram led the Broncos with four catches for 43 yards and their lone TD.
“As a whole offense, a whole team, we just didn’t play really good,” Nix said.
“Obviously not a good evening,” Broncos coach Sean Payton added.
The looming question, even after Mahomes participated in the entire offseason program and every practice of training camp, was how his knee would hold up nine months to the day since he was hurt in a game against the Chargers.
He erased any doubts when he capped the Chiefs’ opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown run.
“Once you put him in the game,” Reid said, “he’s going to play, and you better be confident in that.”
It was Walker who did most of the running, though. The Super Bowl MVP for Seattle, who signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal in free agency, had 14 carries for 89 yards in the first half alone, along with a couple of catches out of the backfield.
Even when the Broncos tied the game on Nix’s 19-yard touchdown pass to Engram, Walker assumed a heavy load as the Chiefs pieced together a 10-play, 80-yard drive late in the half. It ended when Mahomes found Rashee Rice, fresh off a knee injury of his own, and he caromed off a couple of Broncos defenders and into the end zone to make it 14-7 at the break.
Then it was Walker’s turn to bounce off a defender, turning a fourth-and-1 carry into a 60-yard TD run to start the third quarter.
“I knew they were going to crash in. When they crashed in, I bounced out,” Walker said, “and I was off to the races from there.”
The teams traded field goals later in the quarter thanks to big plays by each side: Brandon Jones picked off Mahomes deep in Chiefs territory, setting up Wil Lutz’s chip shot, and Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce for 59 yards to set up Harrison Butker’s answer.
Nix’s fumble on the ensuing possession allowed the Chiefs to put the game away.
Mahomes hit rookie running back Emmett Johnson on third down for a 26-yard gain, setting up first-and-goal at the Denver 2. And in the kind of creative – dare say, fun? – play that was reminiscent of the Chiefs’ banner years, Mahomes lined up in a three-point stance alongside backup QB Justin Fields, took the snap and shoveled the ball to Walker, who scooted untouched for the score.
It was a play that Reid and his staff found in some black-and-white footage from the 1930s, and it worked flawlessly.
“It was hard to see,” Walker said of the film, “but we worked it over and over in practice. We felt it was going to work and it did.”
Taylor Swift chose Arrowhead Stadium over the Emmy Awards to cheer on Kelce. The pop star married the Chiefs tight end on July 3. Swift, who watched alongside Tom Cruise, had been nominated for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) for “The Eras Tour: The Final Show,” but the category winner – “The Muppet Show” – had been announced earlier this month.
Broncos: WR Marvin Mims left briefly with a hip injury but returned.
Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane landed on his right shoulder after an interception on the third play of the game. The No. 6 pick in the NFL draft was helped to the locker room and did not return. … LB Cooper McDonald (knee) left in the first half and did not return.
Denver plays its home opener against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Kansas City hosts Indianapolis on Sunday night.
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Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
While it’s possible the Andy Reid – Patrick Mahomes Chiefs are cooked, it’s tough to believe a team that won at a .800 clip forgot how to play. That happened in 2025, and it cost us dearly. Call it a sickness; I can’t quit Kansas City. Not yet. Not when Patrick Mahomes is under an FG at home in primetime. Kenneth Walker III is KC’s best RB of this era, and the WRs are all active for the first time in forever with Eric Bieniemy back. LT is a legitimate concern, but Reid is terrific with extra prep: 6-2 in openers with Mahomes. The Broncos have upgraded with Jaylen Waddle, but the defenses wash, Denver is on the road, and the line has been halved.
Week 1 is always challenging to figure out game scripts and how teams are going to approach their superstars and Rashee Rice is no different. For me I don’t see a big explosive being part of his arsenal tonight as I expect KC’s gameplan to be letting him operate underneath in possession and have the burners stretch the field on the boundary. I see this price being a touch too high and offers the best edge on a pretty thin MNF prop card
