Kenneth Walker rushes for 173 yards as Chiefs begin season with 31-10 win at Arrowhead

Kenneth Walker rushed for a career-high 173 yards and scored twice as the Kansas City Chiefs began their NFL season with a 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Walker joined the Chiefs on a three-year deal reportedly worth up to $45m (£33.5m).

Patrick Mahomes made his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in December, running in the opening touchdown and throwing for two more as Kansas City recorded a statement win. The Broncos levelled the scores in the first quarter, but Denver quarterback Bo Nix was sacked four times and intercepted once as the Chiefs pulled away.

Walker, described in the report as the Most Valuable Player for the Seattle Seahawks in last season's Super Bowl, made the biggest single-game impact for Kansas City on his debut by rushing for a career-high 173 yards and scoring twice.

On his return, Mahomes praised the new running back and the line, saying: "I've been saying it all off-season that K9 is going to make a difference," said Mahomes. "That offensive line and K9, they took over the game. It went really well."

Three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce produced a 59-yard play that moved him to second on the NFL's all-time list for receiving yards by a tight end. Only former Chiefs star Tony Gonzalez (15,127) has more receiving yards in the position than Kelce (13,073).

Singer Taylor Swift, Kelce's wife, and actor Tom Cruise watched the game together from the stands.

The Broncos won the AFC West title last season, ending the Chiefs' run of nine successive divisional crowns.