The first week of the 2026 NFL season is winding down, featuring an exciting matchup in the AFC West.
The defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos are set to visit the Kansas City Chiefs, who suffered their first losing season since 2012 last year. They ended up in third place in the division and, unfortunately for them, missed the playoffs. Before that, the Chiefs had a remarkable nine-year run in which they consistently topped the AFC West.
All eyes will definitely be on Patrick Mahomes. He’s been cleared for today’s game without any limitations, making his return roughly nine months after he tore his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 season. While Mahomes sat out the Chiefs’ preseason, the Broncos’ QB Bo Nix is also making a comeback from injury—a broken ankle he suffered during the Divisional Round. He managed to see some action in the preseason, completing 6 out of 9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Watch Broncos vs. Chiefs for free
- When: Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Where: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
- How to watch for free: DIRECTV (five-day free trial)
- Channel: ABC and ESPN
As division rivals, these teams clashed twice last season, with the Broncos taking both narrow victories. Their next encounter will be in Week 8, offering a clearer picture of how each team’s season is progressing.
For those interested in tuning into Monday Night Football, here’s the scoop.
Broncos vs. Chiefs start time:
Tonight, the first Monday Night Football game of the season, featuring the Broncos and Chiefs, is set to begin at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.
How to watch Broncos vs. Chiefs for free:
If you’re not on cable, you’ll require a live TV streaming service to catch Monday Night Football live for free.
Our recommended option is DIRECTV, especially since they currently offer a five-day free trial when you subscribe to the MySports genre pack. This includes both ABC and ESPN, along with access to the ESPN app. You also score $20 off every month for the first six months with this package.
2026 Monday Night Football schedule
| Week | Date | Teams | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 14 | Broncos vs. Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 2 | Sept. 21 | Giants vs. Rams | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 3 | Sept. 28 | Eagles vs. Bears | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 4 | Oct. 5 | Falcons vs. Saints | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 5 | Oct. 12 | Bills vs. Rams | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 6 | Oct. 19 | Commanders vs. 49ers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 7 | Oct. 26 | Cowboys vs. Eagles | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 8 | Nov. 2 | Bears vs. Seahawks | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 9 | Nov. 9 | Bills vs. Vikings | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 10 | Nov. 16 | Chargers vs. Ravens | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 11 | Nov. 23 | Bengals vs. Commanders | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 12 | Nov. 30 | Panthers vs. Buccaneers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 13 | Dec. 7 | Cowboys vs. Seahawks | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 14 | Dec. 14 | Steelers vs. Jaguars | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 15 | Dec. 21 | Patriots vs. Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN / ABC |
| 16 | Dec. 28 | Giants vs. Lions | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 17 | Jan. 4 | Texans vs. Packers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
