Titans primarily account for lackluster Week 1 defeat against Broncos

Titans' Week 1 Loss to Broncos: Identifying the Main Culprits on the Tennessee Side

, and Administrator

2025 September 17 . 9:32 AM

2 min read

Broncos' Week 1 victory heavily attributed to Titans' shortcomings

Titans primarily account for lackluster Week 1 defeat against Broncos

Tennessee Titans Struggle in Week 1 Loss to Denver Broncos

The Tennessee Titans began their 2023 NFL season with a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos, a tough start for rookie quarterback Cam Ward in his debut. Head coach Brian Callahan defended Ward's performance, praising his ability to protect the football and manage difficult situations, but admitted that he made mistakes during the game, including a challenge where his interpretation of the rule was wrong.

Jim Wyatt of tennesseetitans.com noted that Ward showed poise and confidence, but the Titans need to be better around their quarterback to win games. The Titans' offensive line struggled against the Broncos' defense, with five players - Dan Moore Jr., Olissaemeka Udoh, Lloyd Cushenberry, Elic Ayomanor, and Tyler Lockett - having a Pro Football Focus grade of 50.6 or lower.

The Titans dropped four or five passes that could have significantly affected the outcome of the game, and totaled 131 yards worth of penalties. Defenders Carlos Watkins, Amani Hooker, Oluwafemi Oladejo, T'Vondre Sweat, and Arden Key had low grades on defense.

Despite the loss, the Titans stayed competitive against one of the top teams in the NFL, providing a positive takeaway. The team must work together, get better, and find a rhythm, or they may have another high draft pick in 2026. If the Titans are to win games this season, they need to improve around their quarterback and reduce dropped passes.

Callahan stated that Ward must prove he's ready for NFL-level competition, and that the team has room for improvement, especially from Week 1 to Week 2. There are no publicly available sources or announcements specifying who would succeed Callahan as head coach of the Tennessee Titans if he steps down.

In conclusion, the Tennessee Titans faced a tough challenge in their first game of the season, and while there were some positive moments, there is clearly room for improvement. The team will look to bounce back in their next game and work towards a successful season.