Stick right here for reside updates and evaluation as Denver hosts the Titans at Empower Subject at Mile Excessive.
Reside updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (10:45 a.m.): Take a look at how the Broncos match up with the Titans in Luca Evans’ scouting report.
Recreation predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos beat author: Broncos 28, Titans 13
A yr in the past, it made little sense to assume Bo Nix would march right into a hostile surroundings at Seattle and win his debut towards a famend defensive thoughts. The identical applies to the Titans and No. 1 draft choose Cam Ward. Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph goes to dial up all his favourite pressures and a bunch Ward’s by no means seen earlier than only for good measure. Empower Subject will probably be loud. Nix and firm received’t need to be excellent, however they need to have loads of alternatives to make performs. Keep away from turnovers, and this needs to be a pleasant, easy begin to the yr.
Luca Evans, Broncos beat author: Broncos 24, Titans 10
Poor Cam Ward. Look, the child’s clearly fearless. He sat again behind his line at Miami, tossed bombs like they had been Nerf footballs, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist due to it. The Titans have upgraded their offensive line since taking Ward No. 1 general, and have a fleet of ability gamers which are fairly good, even when Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks aren’t top-four NFL receivers. Counterpoint: Denver’s protection has been frothing for months now to get to the common season, and Ward now faces the most effective pass-rushing unit within the league.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 27, Titans 10
Cam Ward goes to study rapidly that the AFC isn’t the ACC. He has by no means seen a protection in his life just like the one he’ll face on Sunday. The Broncos will overwhelm him with stress and sticky protection. Quarterbacks picked No. 1 general within the widespread draft period are 4-14-1 when beginning the season opener, per The Related Press. Make it 4-15-1 because the protection delivers three takeaways and tight finish Evan Engram turns into a brand new favourite goal for Bo Nix.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 25, Titans 17
The one factor worse than being a rookie QB in a highway playoff sport? Being a rookie QB on the highway in Week 1. Over the past six years, rookie NFL beginning quarterbacks are 0-10-1 in season-openers. Like Bo Nix a yr in the past, Cam Ward’s baptism by hearth begins now. And there’s no hotter seat within the league for a beginner than to be caught 5,280 ft above sea degree with Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen respiratory down your neck.
Broncos-Titans NFL Week 1: Should-reads
Titans assume Broncos’ Bo Nix will ‘take off operating’ if first learn isn’t there. Sean Payton disagrees.
Perhaps it was a shot. Perhaps it was a tip of the cap. Solely Jeffrey Simmons is aware of.
On Tuesday, within the Titans’ locker room, Tennessee’s three-time Professional Bowl defensive sort out was requested about enjoying a quarterback in Bo Nix who doesn’t take many sacks. The rationale Nix doesn’t take many sacks, Simmons famous, is due to his capacity to take off and run.
He made that time. After which he made it once more. And some extra instances, too.
Certainly, Nix took off operating 92 instances in 2024, the fifth-most dashing makes an attempt of any NFL quarterback (in keeping with StatMuse). His wheels stunned opposing franchises — and even his personal — in his debut season. He additionally, nevertheless, had the Twenty sixth-fastest common time to throw of 32 quarterbacks with at the least 300 drop-backs final season, Luca Evans reviews. Learn the total story.
Renck: Sean Payton introduced up Tremendous Bowl. Now it’s on greatest Broncos roster since 2016 to again it up
He’s blunt. Like Frank.
Sean Payton turned “Chairman of the Bored” when he took over a Broncos franchise battered, overwhelmed and embarrassed. Below Nathaniel Hackett’s 15-game watch of followers counting down the play clock, a participant cursing out his quarterback, and teammates shoving each other on the sidelines and punching opponents, the sheer disconnect was comedic and horrifying.
Three seasons later, one thing simply as scary exists. What started on a smoldering day in July with building cranes and non permanent stands can finish in a single place, and just one place, for this season to really be a hit.
The Tremendous Bowl. No. 60. A ten-year reunion at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Learn Troy Renck’s column.
Why Broncos’ now-handsomely paid protection welcomes stress of expectation: “Now we have to take benefit”
When Bonitto signed a four-year, $106 million extension Thursday, it served as an exclamation level on an offseason spent doubling down on and including to the 2024 group that exploded onto the scene as one of many NFL’s greatest.
Now they’re a identified amount. They’re marked males, circled by each offense on their schedule as a bunch that must be taken critically — and a measuring stick by which opponents will measure themselves. Learn Parker Gabriel’s story.
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