Expectations aren’t particularly high for the Tennessee Titans heading into the 2025 NFL season, and that especially applies to the Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
The Titans visit the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 7 (3:05 p.m. CT, FOX) to kick off the Cam Ward era. BetMGM odds list the Broncos as eight-point favorites, meaning the Titans have the longest odds to win of any team in Week 1. And sure, the Broncos are good; this team made the playoffs last year. But it’s not like the Titans are playing Philadelphia, Buffalo, Kansas City or any of the other presumed Super Bowl favorites. This has more to do with the general view of the Titans than anything else.
So what should folks expect from Cam Ward and the revamped Titans offense in Week 1? What about Jeffery Simmons’ defense? Here are The Tennessean’s matchups, edges and predictions for Titans vs Broncos.
Titans offense vs Broncos defense: Can Cam Ward survive Denver rush?
The Broncos led the NFL in sacks and quarterback hits last season and were second in the NFL in pressure rate. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph returns most of his major contributors, including Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen and Jonathon Cooper.
Ward has a rebuilt offensive line, and the availability of center Lloyd Cushenberry III could bring this group from bottom-dwelling up to average. But even if we grant the possibility that the line can neutralize the NFL’s most active rush, the Calvin Ridley-Patrick Surtain II problem arises.
Ridley is the Titans’ only real perimeter threat, and the Broncos have the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year primed to cover him. After Ridley, the Titans don’t have a name-brand threat to stretch the field or rely on if a comeback is needed.
Throw in the fact that Tony Pollard is running without his partner, Tyjae Spears, and it’s hard to see the Titans winning this matchup without playing a seriously slow brand of ball-control football that results in several red zone opportunities and capitalizations.
Advantage: Denver
Titans defense vs Broncos offense: Is Bo Nix set for a big day?
The Titans’ secondary hardly looked impressive in training camp. Now, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is trending in the right direction, which helps. But depth isn’t exactly this team’s strength, so if Sneed is anything less than 100%, this could mean trouble.
And fittingly, the strength of Denver’s offensive line is in the middle, particularly with guard Quinn Meinerz, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Titans’ middle-of-the-defense advantage with Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat works out.
All of this adds up to Broncos QB Bo Nix having the opportunity to put up some big numbers, especially if their offseason additions like tight end Evan Engram and running back R.J. Harvey add new wrinkles to the offense.
Advantage: Denver
Titans Broncos betting lines, odds
Per BetMGM, the Broncos are eight-point favorites to win, with a -400 moneyline compared to the Titans at +310. The over-under points total is set at 42.5.
Broncos vs Titans score prediction
Expect Ward to make some plays that show his promise, but Denver’s poise and polish are the difference makers here. The Titans have a ways to go to get to the point the Broncos have already reached, and getting there will be the goal for the season, not the expectation in Week 1.
Broncos 27, Titans 17
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.