Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix called the team's 31-10 season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs "pretty pitiful" after an offseason of Super Bowl expectations.

In first-year offensive coordinator Davis Webb's debut, the Broncos gained just 176 net yards and had no play longer than 20 yards. Nix was sacked on the opening drive and threw an interception on the third play, leading to a Chiefs touchdown.

Defensively, missed tackles allowed Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III to rush for a career-high 173 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. Kansas City finished with 220 rushing yards, the most Denver has allowed since Week 5 of the 2024 season.

"We didn't tackle well enough, and then the game became one-dimensional," coach Sean Payton said. "Really the antithesis of how you beat a good team on the road; it's that simple."

The Broncos had just six carries in the first half and committed seven penalties. Nix fumbled three times and was sacked four times. "It starts with me, it starts with our coaching staff," Payton said.