After struggling with the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, is the sky falling in the Mile High City? There is a very simple answer to this, and it's a resounding no.
The Denver Broncos were able to defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-12 on Sunday to win their first season-opening game since 2021. But many fans in Broncos Country and those around the country are already panicking and talking about this team being overrated.
Following the game, there were many fans concerned over the team's play and many doubters making fun of those who picked the Broncos to win get as far as the Super Bowl this year.
your "2025 super bowl dark horse" denver broncos everybody
— Ʊ ColtsHype Ʊ (@ColtsHype) September 7, 2025
I thought the Broncos were going to the Super Bowl this year?
— Game On! (@gameon_picks) September 7, 2025
What's going on in Denver?
And there were thousands more just like that.
For those who don't believe in the team, that will continue all season. But for those in Broncos Country who might need a little reassurance, just remember, the glass can be half full, too. With that said, here are four real observations from this game that are not overreactions.
Denver Broncos Week 1 Observations
Bo Nix is putting too much trust in his arm
Bo Nix played what was probably his worst game for the Broncos on Sunday and that was highlighted by some uncharacteristic mistakes. He threw two terrible interceptions, the kind you saw him avoid as a rookie, and that is a concern.
What's wrong with #Broncos quarterback Bo Nix? | Dover On Denver with @JoshuaDover pic.twitter.com/0jrm8ac7Wa
— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) September 9, 2025
But these are things that Nix, who is a total student of the game, will see this in film study and make the appropriate corrections. He was trying to do too much. He didn't take what the defense gave him and he got away from what makes him great. But, by no means, was this performance reason to believe that he is suddenly a bad quarterback.
Sean Payton needs to be better at calling plays
This is what Sean Payton is known for; it's what has made him one of the more respected offensive minds of his generation. But some of his play calls in this game were head scratchers, at best.
Calling a deep shot to Marvin Mims on 4th-and-8 from the Titans' 36-yard line with 1:05 left to play was just bad football, and kept the door open for the upset. He also needs to lean more heavily on his rushing attack starting in Week 2 against the Colts.
The defense is as advertised
The Broncos' defense was touted as being one of the best in the NFL and there was nothing that took place in this game that might change that. The Broncos have elite players all over the defense and are going to be able to win a lot of games because of it.
With the likes of Pat Surtain II, Nik Bonitto and Talanoa Hufanga out there, guys like Justin Strnad and Jonah Elliss stepped up their level of play. This is a good unit with a chance to be great.
The sky is not falling in Denver
How could it be after just one game? A game, by the way, that the Broncos won! Sure, they struggled a bit with a bad Titans team, but Week 1 is historically a weird week in the NFL. This is hardly the game to jump off the bandwagon for.
It was sloppy, but that will get cleaned up. The NFL is a league where wins are hard to come by and you don't get anything extra for style points. The Broncos will be just fine.
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