The Kansas City Chiefs began their NFL season with a 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Patrick Mahomes, playing his first game since suffering a knee injury in December, ran in the opening touchdown and threw for two more as the Chiefs recorded a statement win at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

New signing Kenneth Walker, the Most Valuable Player for the Seattle Seahawks in last season’s Super Bowl, made the biggest impact by rushing for a career-high 173 yards and scoring twice on his Chiefs debut.

“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.”

The Broncos levelled the scores in the first quarter, but quarterback Bo Nix was sacked four times and intercepted once as the Chiefs pulled away.

Three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce moved second on the NFL’s all-time list for most receiving yards by a tight end with a 59-yard play for the Chiefs.

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.