DENVER —The Broncos have kicked off the 2025 season with a win.
After trailing 12-10 early in the second half, Denver scored 10 unanswered points to earn a win over 2025 first-overall pick Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans.
Denver's defense lived up to its billing, as the unit kept the Titans out of the end zone on the afternoon and recorded six sacks of Ward. The Miami product, making his NFL debut, completed 12-of-28 passes for 112 yards and a 54.5 rating.
The Broncos' offense lost three turnovers — and the special teams unit had another — but was able to score a pair of touchdowns to secure the victory. After an impressive defensive stand following Denver's final turnover, the offense used its running game to seal the game and push the lead to eight points.
For the first time since 2021, the Broncos have started the season 1-0.
These were the players and plays that helped the Broncos earn a season-opening win.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
The Broncos' defense was put in some tough spots on Sunday, but the unit responded on multiple occasions. The most important may have come with 11:53 to play in the fourth quarter, as Marvin Mims Jr. lost control of a punt and the Titans recovered at the Denver 24-yard line. With the Broncos leading just 13-12, the Titans had a chance to take a lead — and holding Tennessee to a field goal seemed to be the best possible scenario for Denver. Instead, the Broncos recorded back-to-back sacks of 16 and 11 yards, respectively. The plays pushed the Titans all the way back to the Denver 49-yard line and caused a Tennessee punt. On the next series, Denver's offense pushed the lead to eight points.
A worthy honorable mention came at the end of the first half, as Denver's defense forced a Titans punt right before the halftime break. Instead of running the clock out and taking a lead to the locker room, the Titans gave the Broncos a chance with a pair of incompletions to start the drive. Jonathon Cooper then took down Ward for a sack, and the Broncos got the ball back. Mims provided a solid return that pushed Denver to inside the Titans' 40-yard line, and Bo Nix quickly found Courtland Sutton for a go-ahead 22-yard touchdown pass.
DEFINING STATISTIC
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In a grind-it-out game, the Denver defense allowed just six points off turnovers in the game. The Broncos had four giveaways and was losing the turnover margin by three until the final moments, but the defense's ability to rise to the occasion in big moments helped Denver earn a tight win. Three of the Titans' other points came on the final play of the first half after a lengthy kickoff return, meaning the Broncos' defense — for all intents and purposes — gave up just three points that weren't off turnovers. In all, Denver's defense gave up just 12 points despite Tennessee starting five drives on the Broncos' side of the field.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Rookie RJ Harvey provided the highlight of the day, as he broke off a long run that helped Denver seal the win. On first-and-10 from the Denver 20-yard line with just over nine minutes to play, Harvey slipped through the line of scrimmage, shrugged off a tackle and raced 50 yards down the field. Three plays later, the Broncos were in the end zone to give themselves from breathing room in a tight game.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
In their first games after signing contract extensions, Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen each played inspired games. Bonitto notched a sack, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits, while Allen added a sack, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. Denver recorded six sacks of Ward on the afternoon.
RJ Harvey recorded the first big play of his young career, rushing six times for 70 yards. J.K. Dobbins added a touchdown and 63 yards.
Courtland Sutton made big-time plays for the Broncos, including a touchdown catch late in the first half. He led the team with six catches for 61 yards.
In his first game with the Broncos, safety Talanoa Hufanga led the team with 10 tackles and added a forced fumble.
