The Tennessee Titans begin a new era when they take on the Denver Broncos. Here are the storylines, picks, and best bets for the NFL Week 1 game between the Titans and Broncos.
Titans vs. Broncos: Game Information
It's Game Week & a new #BroncosIn60:
🔹HC Sean Payton preps for Week 1
🔸DT D.J. Jones evaluates benefit of returning teammatesWatch ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/B81rpqwkEz
— Elisa Hernandez (@EHernandezTV) September 2, 2025
- 🏈 Game: Titans vs. Broncos
- 📅 Date: Sunday – Sept. 7, 2025
- 🕗 Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- 🏟 Location: Empower Field at Mile High — Denver, Colorado
- 📺 TV Channel: FOX
- 💻 Live Stream: FOX One
Top Storyline: Cam Ward Makes First Career Start
"My goal is to win games."
Quick Hits presented by @koorsenfire
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 3, 2025
The least talked about No. 1 pick in recent memory begins his career on the road.
Cam Ward will be under center for the Tennessee Titans.
Ward was expected to become the Titans’ starting quarterback for Week 1. However, the season-ending injury to Will Levis essentially guaranteed that Ward would start.
Off the field, Ward has won many people over, including the Titans’ organization. Ward is wise beyond his years and speaks to the media like a true veteran.
On the field, Ward has the size, strength, and intelligence to succeed in the NFL.
He will experience some growing pains, as do all rookies. However, Ward already has the maturity to get him through the rough patches.
Titans vs. Broncos: Picks and Best Bets
Broncos -7.5 (-115)
Denver has to be at the top of the list of worst places for a rookie quarterback to start in his first game.
I’m sure you’ve seen the stats for No. 1 picks in their first start. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t bode well for Ward.
Since 1970, No. 1 pick quarterbacks in their first start are 5-22 SU and 8-20 ATS. In his first start last year, Caleb Williams and the Bears won over the Titans thanks to several turnovers from Levis.
Williams was at home in that game. Ward will be in Denver, one of the toughest places to play in the NFL.
The only thing the Titans should be worrying about this year involves Ward’s development. As for the Broncos, they are a team with legitimate AFC Championship aspirations.
After a successful rookie year, Bo Nix enters his second year in Sean Payton’s offense.
The defense is what will carry Denver. It may be one of the best units in the league, led by Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
Even though the Broncos are over a touchdown favorite, the trends say to back the team facing the rookie quarterback.
J.K. Dobbins Anytime Touchdown (+155)
If there’s something Sean Payton loves, it’s a balanced rushing attack with multiple options. The Saints were at their best when they had Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara.
The Broncos will try to do that this year with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. Dobbins is listed first on the depth chart heading into Week 1.
If Dobbins is playing the role of Ingram, expect him to get the goal line carries. With the Broncos expected to win by double digits, I’ll take Dobbins to get in the end zone in his first game against a Titans’ defense that ranked 26th against the run a season ago (133.9 yards per game).
