The Denver Broncos issued a “challenge” to the traveling Titans in a Week 1 slopfest and won a hard-fought battle, 20-12. Tennessee couldn’t convert four golden opportunities that the bucking Broncos gave them into points. The Titans mustered only six points from those four turnovers, and the game was sealed from then on. Denver possesses a ferocious defense, but rookie Cam Ward showed little nerves. Although the result wasn’t ideal for the denizens of Nashville, Ward showed some flashes of hope. Now, can the rest of the team catch up and develop into a winning franchise?
Bucking Broncos Challenge Traveling Titans In Week 1
First Quarter – Bo Knows, Surely Not
The first quarter turned into a largely draconian affair with both sides exchanging field goals to begin the game. Ward managed a nifty completion to running back Tony Pollard on the Titans’ first drive to get them into field goal range.
Cam Ward keeps it alive and finds Tony Pollard for the big gain!
TENvsDEN on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/mk4cIo5aWb
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
The Broncos made their own field goal to knot things up at three, but managed to force a punt from Tennessee during the next drive. Bo Nix attempted to float the ball to primary target Courtland Sutton, but did not get the ball far enough, and cornerback Roger McCreary was the recipient instead.
Second Quarter – The Third Law Of Newton
Roger McCreary comes down with the @Titans INT!
TENvsDEN on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/uXVGavS9QN
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
On the subsequent drive, feeling generous, running back Tony Pollard gifted the ball right back via fumble. The two teams stiffened up and forced dueling punts once again before Jeffery Simmons forced Nix into a fumble, which Tennessee converted into a field goal. Another punting battle broke out as well. Head coach/play caller Brian Callahan made a series of inexplicably asinine and morbidly grotesque decisions near his goal line. He chose to call three pass plays and almost cost the team a safety if not for Ward’s heroics. Alas, Ward couldn’t save his head coach’s mental infirmities for long. Nix threw a touchdown to Sutton to make it 10-6. Chimere Dike’s kick return dynamism salvaged what little pride that Tennessee possessed and allowed them to kick a field goal to make 10-9 at the halftime gun.
Chimere Dike with a HUGE return to get the @Titans in FG range before the half.
TENvsDEN on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/rWAp8Pf1GK
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Third Quarter – Hijinks Galore
Oh, the shenanigans weren’t done yet as stadium officials quickly declared a weather delay at halftime, leaving both teams in bewilderment. The weather rapidly moved on, and officials resumed play minutes after halftime was supposed to end. Speaking of shenanigans, the Titans parlayed an Nix interception into a field goal. The first costly blown opportunity for the Titans appeared when they called two consecutive running plays. Denver waited for the conservative Titans offense and stuffed those run plays into a field goal attempt.
The Broncos bucked into high gear, targeting Jarvis Brownlee, Jr, who had a horrendous day maintaining discipline. However, Tennessee’s defense held but didn’t break, allowing just a field goal to make it 13-12. In a theme for the day, Broncos Sean Payton utilized his challenges with annoying efficiency, derailing any momentum. He won two of the three allotted and lost his last attempt. The sheer arrogance and audacity of this man in continually asking for favorable rulings hark back to the days of Mike Vrabel in Tennessee.
Fourth Quarter – Rocky Mountain High
The two teams exchanged a volley of punting greatness during the opening stanza of the last quarter. All hell broke loose when Marvin Mims muffed a punt in a precarious situation. Tennessee recovered but couldn’t capitalize on a glorious opportunity to seize control. They punted after taking two egregiously poor sacks out of field goal range. Denver quickly pounced on the chance to deliver a knockout blow by scoring a touchdown on the ensuing drive to salt it away.
JK Dobbins first TD as a Denver Broncos RB pic.twitter.com/ULWQnhjPhW
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 7, 2025
Denver’s defense thoroughly eviscerated the Titans’ offense by challenging them with their star corners throughout the game. There were plenty of sketchy non-calls, but those are part of the game, and Tennessee should’ve battled past those. The Titans’ defense stood up to the test twice more, which allowed the offense one final shot at glory. It was not to be as Elic Ayomanor and Calvin Ridley dropped Ward’s passes on two gorgeous deep shots, stressing every fan, including the passer’s family.
Cam Ward's dad is stressed in the stands.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/CwZYJHcO0B
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 7, 2025
Did he really say that?
Head Coach Brian Callahan
On Accountability
Brian Callahan on the #Titans loss to the Broncos and the team’s penalty issues.
“I’m very disappointed we lost. I’m disappointed in the penalty process.”
Tennessee committed 13 penalties for 131 yards during Sunday’s loss 😬 #TitanUp (🎥 @Titans) pic.twitter.com/MvNHCXMLz7
— SharmSports (@SharmSports) September 8, 2025
After preaching about discipline and accountability for the entirety of the offseason, well, it appears that that message fell on deaf ears. The penalties and ill-discipline issues mounted, including a dreary boneheaded mistake by Jeff Simmons, extended a Denver drive late in the game as precious seconds melted away. Simmons later held himself accountable for the tremendously hideous error, but a tiger cannot change its stripes, as he’s had multiple dumb penalties in his career. If the coach cannot hold the star player accountable by repudiating him with a benching or fine, the culture of complacency can set in. Bill Belichick famously cursed out the great Tom Brady on more than one occasion. Why are there no stories of Callahan rebuking his players for game-losing mistakes instead of the “we’ll get them next time” stories?
On playcalling
Brian Callahan said the #Titans faced a lot of 3rd & 10+. They were predictible running on 1st and 2nd down. He said they ran the ball to stop the pass rush from pinning their ears back and coming after the QB. pic.twitter.com/1GTkjE9xL6
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 7, 2025
Yes, Callahan is a young playcaller in his first head coaching job, but these are issues that are typically ironed out at the pee-wee level, not at the pro game. What Callahan did today and in 2024 is the purest definition of insanity. The excuses are no longer tolerable, especially for a coach who was on the brink of termination. Comments like that and this about the utter edification of coaching malfeasance called the end of half won’t endear him to the front office much longer. The chants for his impending doom will only grow louder and louder as the reckless buffoonery continues, no matter how much the potential franchise passer likes him. Games are often won and lost in the eight minutes surrounding halftime. Tennessee lost this game due to Callahan’s immense failures in this arena.
Challenges
#Titans coach Brian Callahan said Elic Ayomanor's sideline catch required not just an elbow in bounds but also a foot.
That's factually incorrect.
From the rulebook, "A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the…
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 8, 2025
Another cardinal sin that should end Callahan’s career as a head coach in this league is his lack of situational awareness when conducting challenges. While Sean Payton is gallivanting around and challenging every close call, Callahan is deeply soul-searching before making a decision. The play in question occurred late in the third quarter, in which Elic Ayomanor made an incredible catch and landed on his elbow. By the letter of the law, landing on an elbow in bounds constitutes two feet. Newly paid safety Amani Hooker realized the situation, but the coaches, with all the available technology, elected not to challenge.
The failure to challenge played a role in ruining a potential scoring drive. Teams with good support staff and coaches swiftly take advantage of any loopholes. Tennessee is not among those franchises. However obstinate and shamelessly vitriolic Mike Vrabel was, at least he was prepared to ruthlessly out-scheme the rules. We cannot say the same about Brian Callahan.
Quarterback Cam Ward
Cam Ward said the biggest lesson he learned was to get the ball out quicker and not take two sacks to knock the team out of FG position. pic.twitter.com/eJrC3FF4FS
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 8, 2025
Ward’s weaknesses emerged at a most inopportune time, but overall, his day was filled with immense promise and growth. He’ll learn from this chance and grow from it in the future. The questions surrounding the coaching staff and roster will only intensify as the season progresses. There are signs of development in a depressingly consistent Titans style of loss.
What’s Next?
The Tennessee Titans return home to face an impressive cadre of Rams defenders and the aging warhorse Matt Stafford. Los Angeles defeated the Houston Texans. 14-9, in week one, in which the Rams made CJ Stroud’s life miserable.
Denver, after imposing a challenge on an unworthy Titans squad, travels to face a suddenly imposing Daniel Jones, who led the Colts on a rampage against the feckless Dolphins.
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
