The Denver Broncos (1-0) got the opening win over 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward, an ugly 20-12 victory over the Tennessee Titans (0-1) on Sunday afternoon. The offense struggled all day, while the Denver defense showed why they have been projected to be the best unit in the NFL in 2025.
Quarterback Bo Nix had a miserable day under center, going 25-of-40 for 176 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and one lost fumble. The defense allowed only four field goals, and gave the Titans offense fits all afternoon.
The Broncos face the Indianapolis Colts (1-0) on the road in Week 2. Before that matchup, here’s a recap of Sunday’s game.
Denver seals the game with a 20-12 victory to kick off their 2025 season!
There are no words… The Broncos give the Titans the ball on the Titans 37 with a minute left.
Nix throws a moon ball and it falls incomplete
Weird play call…but both WRs were open
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 7, 2025
The Broncos were GIFTED a first down when Titans defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons was called for a 15-yard penalty after the whistle. One more first down seals it for Denver.
Jeffrey Simmons, congratulations for coming in second to Jalen Carter in the race for the dumbest thing anyone did this week 👏👏👏
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) September 7, 2025
The Titans have 135 yards of offense and 131 penalty yards.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025
The Broncos’ defense has been the story of the day. They have only allowed four field goals to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Broncos defense has been swarming Cam Ward and the Titans in the second half.
Bo Nix loses inches on the QB sneak, and the Broncos turn it over for the fifth time.
Nix comes up short on the sneak — virtual measurement says 10″, meaning he lost 7″.
Titans take over at the plus-46, trailing by 8 with 5:07 to go.
Vance Joseph’s group in a hot spot yet again.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025
Engram was a highly sought-after free agent. He may not return to the game.
The run game IS alive! After a 50-yard run by RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins runs it in from 19 yards to give the Broncos a 20-12 lead with 7:37 left in the game!
RJ Harvey just had the biggest run of the game, a 50-yard scamper which puts Denver inside Tennessee territory. Huge run!
Q4: The Broncos have done everything to lose this game
The Broncos have turned the ball over four times; how are they still up one with just over 10 minutes left?
Can Nix and the offense get something going?
The Broncos have stopped the Titans after a huge muffed punt, with one sack by Jonah Elliss and on by SACK Allen!
For the first time in three years, Marvin Mims muffed a punt, and the Titans are inside the Broncos’ 25.
The Broncos have played sloppy all day long, but they find themselves up 13-12 after quarter No. 3.
Q3: Evan Engram goes down after a catch
Bo Nix threw a first down to tight end Evan Engram, who came up limping, and is now in the blue tent for the Broncos.
Evan Engram makes the kind of catch the Broncos’ signed him to make. But on the first down, he limped off after taking shot and dealing with apparent lower leg injury. Dang it.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 7, 2025
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year comes up with a pass deflection against Titans WR1 Calvin Ridley.
Calvin Ridley has drawn Pat Surtain II the entire afternoon.
His day so far: 2 targets, 1 catch, 1 yard.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025Q3: Sean Payton with another challenge
Sean Payton challenges the ruling of a Titans first down, his third throw of the red flag today. Payton went 2-1 on challenges on Sunday. The Broncos now have two timeouts left, and the Titans are driving.
A 33-yard Wil Lutz field goal brings the Broncos back in the lead, to 13-12. Offense on both sides has been hard to come by, and the Broncos look to bring them back into the lead.
The Broncos have had trouble since 2022 with their rushing attack. Running the ball sets up the pass, which could be a boon for Nix and the Broncos offense.
#Broncos offense moving now. Much simpler concepts. Running the ball more consistently and Bo Nix making better decisions
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) September 7, 2025
The Titans, despite getting the ball inside the Denver 30, only come away with a field goal to take a 12-10 lead.
Broncos defense holds the Titans to a FG off the INT. Titans lead, 12-10.
12-10 was also the score of an ACC Tournament men’s basketball semifinal in 1968 between N.C. State and Duke. Broadcaster Bill Currie described that game as “as exciting as artificial insemination.”
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 7, 2025
Nix, just two plays after halftime, immediately proceeds to throw an interception. With all the miscues from the team today, it’s a near-miracle they are up one.
At the beginning of the game, the Broncos won the toss, which means Nix and Co. will receive the second-half kickoff. Nix began the game 13-of-22 for 106 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a fumble lost. Colorado weather strikes again, as the rain begins to fall–with sun brightly shining! The lightning delay is now over!
It’s raining, but if there’s lightning in the area you can’t see it because it’s also sunny.
Both teams have players on the field warming up.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025
The Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans Week 1 tilt goes into a weather delay at the half due to lightning in the area. This is the second game to be delayed, after the Thursday Night Football opener, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
The Denver Broncos got their first touchdown of the season, a Nix-to-Sutton strike, but give up three free points just before halftime to make the lead one point at the break.
The Broncos special teams unit gives up a 71-yard kickoff return to give the Titans three free points.
And the Titans answer right back with a 71-yard kick return.
Titans will add three points of their own via a 42-yard field goal as the first half ends.
Broncos 10, Titans 9.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) September 7, 2025
Bo Nix delivers an absolute strike to Courtland Sutton to take the lead 10-6 just 19 seconds before halftime.
The Broncos defense made a huge stop and the offense has the ball.
Jonathon Cooper sacks Cam Ward on third-and-long.
INCHES from a safety there.
The Broncos had two timeouts, so the Titans could’ve run the clock out on that drive.
Instead, a first-down incompletion changed the tenor of the possession.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) September 7, 2025
The Broncos offense looks like the early version of 2024, where the offense struggled to score points. The Broncos punt and the Titans are pinned deep.
#Broncos‘ offense remains out of sync. And Nix narrowly avoids pick six on ball in flat to Engram. Just chaotic, messy, and no balance. Nix has thrown 21 times in first half. And Broncos just punted on fourth-and-1 at midfield. Snapshot of disjointed offense today.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 7, 2025Q2: Two-minute warning
The Denver Broncos have the ball at the two-minute mark of the second quarter. Will Nix be able to lead a scoring drive before halftime?
After the Nix fumble, the Broncos defense holds strong, as linebacker Nik Bonitto sacks Cam Ward for a 12-yard loss. Tennessee kicks the field goal, and is now up 6-3 right before the two minute drill.
Nix has his second turnover of the game, this time a strip-sack. The Titans are set up inside the Broncos’ side of the field.
Sean Payton is throwing the red flag early and often against the Tennessee Titans. Payton was not so successful in 2024 with challenges, but he has been off to a good start in 2025.
Broncos WIN the challenge and the Titans will punt the ball away 💪
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 7, 2025
The Broncos go three-and-out after the fumble recovery. Rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw pins the Titans inside the 10-yard line with a beautiful 52-yard punt.
Crawshaw punt lands inside the 10. 52-yards
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) September 7, 2025
Free agent addition Talanoa Hufanga forces a Tony Pollard fumble, and Brandon Jones recovers to give Nix and Co. the ball back! Hufanga already has seven tackles.
The Broncos and Titans traded field goals in the first quarter, and the Titans have the ball to begin the second quarter, courtesy of the Nix interception.
A great play by Tennessee corner Roger McCreary gives Tennessee the ball on the Titans’ 46, as the first quarter comes to a close.
The new replay system worked fast to give Denver a first down on their second drive of the game.
Crowd roared as they showed the initial replay. Looked like Marvin Mims Jr. made it to the line to gain.
Sean Payton threw the challenge flag, but then they announced replay assist determined it was a first down.
No challenge needed.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) September 7, 2025
RJ Harvey is backing up J.K. Dobbins, sharing time in the backfield. Harvey immediately ran for eight yards on his first touch.
RJ Harvey in there with FB Adam Prentice for the start of Denver’s second offensive series.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025
The Broncos stepped up and stopped the Cam Ward-led offense on their second drive. The Broncos begin their second drive at their own eight.
Broncos’ defense holds strong against the Titans and forces a punt.
Marvin Mims the punt returner.
Then Bo time.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 7, 2025
The Broncos were very lopsided on their first offensive drive. Will the Broncos be able to return to the run game in 2025?
Kicker Wil Lutz kicks a 39-yard field goal to tie the game at three. 8:35 left in the first quarter.
Broncos settle for Lutz’s 39-yard FG and a 3-3 tie.
A good drive stalls. The delay of game on first-and-10 from the 16 discombobulated it. Badie drop on 2nd down, pressure past McGlinchey on 3rd down.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 7, 2025
On the Broncos’ first drive, Bo Nix shouted in frustration when burning a timeout.
Bo Nix screaming after calling time out on third-and-15. Looked like was mad at Franklin. But not sure. But the frustration was real. #Broncos
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 7, 2025
Nix completes his second pass into Titans territory to Troy Franklin.
A chunk play early in the drive.
Marvin Mims Jr. was in the backfield there and the Broncos used the misdirection for Bo Nix to find Troy Franklin coming across the field.
19-yard gain into Titans territory.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) September 7, 2025
Titans QB Cam Ward strikes first, and the Broncos are down 3-0 with 12 minutes to go in the first.
#Titans settle for a field goal. Impressive opening drive by Cam Ward, especially extending play on first third down. It was 7 plays, 3:02, 33 yards. Getting a touchback and starting at 35-yard line leaves field goal range possible after one first down.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 7, 2025
Head coach Sean Payton challenged a Gunnar Helm catch, winning the second-look for their first one of the season.
New year, new result, sort of, Sean Payton 1-for-1 on challenges! Pass to Cherry Creek alum Gunnar Helm In-Com-Plete…3rd and 6 for TEN upoming.
@gueriallsports #BroncosCountry
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) September 7, 2025
Nik Bonitto and Pat Surtain headline a strong Broncos defense against the Tennessee Titans.
#Broncos starting defense:
DL: Allen, Jones, JFM
ILB: Singleton and Strnad
OLB: Bonitto and Cooper
CB: Surtain and Moss
S: Hufanga and Jones
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) September 7, 2025
The Titans will get the ball first, with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward going on offense first.
Titans call tails. It’s heads. Broncos win the toss and defer. Cam Ward gets ball first.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) September 7, 2025
The first introductions of 2025 are underway! Kickoff is less than 10 minutes out.
The Broncos beloved live mascot will not be in attendance against the Titans. Even Thunder has a bad day.
Jahdae Barron was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and could see significant playing time through the year.
#Broncos rookie CB Jahdae Barron is warming up at outside corner with second-team defense in early formations. Would expect to see him rotated both at nickel and outside today
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) September 7, 2025
The Broncos have released their 53-man depth chart against the Tennessee Titans. It looks a little different on the defensive side of the ball, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach out for this game.
The Broncos take the field to practice before they take on the Tennessee Titans to kick off the 2025 NFL season.
RJ Harvey is a player many people are excited about. The big question is how much will we see Harvey on the field today, and how will he be integrated with veteran J.K. Dobbins?
Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas were teammates from 2014-18. Thomas’ 88 will be enshrined in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame in Week 5, when Denver faces the Giants.
Justin Strnad is expected to start in the place of Greenlaw. Denver also elevated Levelle Bailey from the practice squad to provide more depth at linebacker. With Adkins sidelined, the Broncos also elevated practice squad fullback Adam Prentice, who is set to make his Denver debut today. Ehlinger will serve as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback today despite being inactive.
The Broncos will host the Titans at 2:05 p.m. MT. We’re getting closer!
Evan Engram is set to make his Denver debut today.
The Broncos will wear an orange jersey and orange pants against the Titans with white socks.
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