Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans Week 1 Preview | Keys to the Game and Prediction
Week 1 of the NFL season is always full of surprises and upsets. The Denver Broncos enter this season as Week 1’s biggest betting favorite (per ESPN) in their matchup against No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward, and the Tennessee Titans. Can the Broncos get off to a fast start and put the Titans in their place amongst the AFC’s worst, or will Sean Payton and the Broncos exit the opener with a face full of humble pie?
Keys to the Game
Run The Ball and Control The Clock
Last season, the Titans allowed 4.5 rushing yards per attempt (per Pro Football Reference). Sean Payton needs to recognize this early and commit to running the ball. Not only will this relieve pressure from Bo Nix and the Broncos' passing game, but it will also wear down Tennessee’s defense and limit the Titans' possessions.
Inside Linebackers vs. Chig Okonkwo
Under coordinator Vance Joseph, the Achilles’ heel of Denver’s defense has been covering tight ends. Tennessee’s tight end Chig Okonkwo is under the radar, but he has the athleticism to make big plays, especially when utilized in screens and running routes up the seams. He
finished last season, totaling nearly 200 yards on 23 touches in his previous three games of 2024 (per ESPN). Denver inside linebackers Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw need to keep their heads on a swivel and end this team’s tight end woes.
Don’t Let Cam Ward Get Comfortable
Denver’s pass rush is scary good. They are coming off an NFL-leading 63-sack season (per StatMuse). I expect them to bring multiple exotic pressure packages against Cam Ward, who no doubt will be overwhelmed facing this caliber of defense for his very first NFL game. Ward can escape and is willing to run the ball, so the Broncos need to maintain rush lane discipline, or Ward could exploit this with his exceptional improvisation skills. Although Tennessee enters the season with an upgraded offensive line, I still think Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper end up spending a lot of time with Ward in the backfield on Sunday.
Battle In The Trenches
Denver’s offensive line is one of the league's highest-ranked units (according to Pro Football Focus), while Tennessee’s interior defensive line is the strength of its defense. Two-time second-team All-Pro Jeffery Simmons totaled 50 tackles for the Titans last season, which was the most for any interior defensive lineman in 2024. If Denver can prevent Simmons from controlling the line of scrimmage, they should have their way with this defense. It's best versus best in this week’s battle in the trenches, but I fully expect Denver to dominate.
Denver Can’t Beat Themselves
On paper, Denver’s roster is vastly superior to Tennessee’s. The only real path for a Titans upset is if Denver repeatedly shoots itself in the foot. A timely turnover, or special teams miscue, could be just what the Titans need to take control of the game and steal momentum. If the Broncos can play clean football, they should avoid a Week 1 upset.
Prediction
With Sean Payton openly talking Super Bowl and the Broncos entering Week 1 as a heavy favorite, it feels like the stage is set for a stumble. But Payton knows this, and his team is ready to deliver a statement performance. Bo Nix and the Broncos offense will establish their identity, the pass rush will suffocate Cam Ward, and Denver will win convincingly.
In Sean Payton We Trust.
Broncos 24, Titans 13