NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Denver Broncos in the season opener at Empower Field at Mile High.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Cam's Debut
The Titans took quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, and they've spent the last four months getting him ready for the season. Ward has put in plenty of work himself, from sunrise to sunset on most days. Now, it's time to see how Ward performs in the regular season, against a really good Broncos defense. The Titans want to see Ward making good decisions, and winning plays. The road won't be easy, and history isn't necessarily on his side: Ward is the eighth QB selected No.1 overall in the last 10 NFL Drafts, and Baker Mayfield is the only such QB to win more than five games as a rookie (6-7 in 2018).
Rebuilt O-Line
Heading into the past two seasons, much of the concern centered on the team's offensive line. This offseason the Titans did their part to change the conversation by signing veterans Dan Moore (left tackle) and Kevin Zeitler (right guard), and moving JC Latham to right tackle. The group is expected to be sturdier, and better, this fall. The good news heading into the opener is center Lloyd Cushenberry is not even on the Injury Report, which means he's ready to go after working his way back from an Achilles injury. While Moore showed up on this week's Injury Report with an ankle injury, he was a full participant on Thursday, which is also good news. A concern: Denver's defense is stout, coming off a season when the Broncos led the league in sacks and QB hits.
Running Game
The Titans need to take pressure off of Ward – and the o-line – against the Broncos defense. One of the best ways to do that is to run the football with success, which would keep the team out of long down and distance situations, and obvious passing downs. Running back Tony Pollard is expected to be the workhorse once again, especially at the start of the season, with Tyjae Spears sidelined. Pollard led the Titans with 301 touches and 1,317 scrimmage yards in 2024. He's one of only two running backs with 1,300-plus scrimmage yards in each of the past two seasons (Derrick Henry is the other). Julius Chestnut could enter the mix as well, but how much remains to be seen.
Pass Catchers
In addition to reshaping the o-line this offseason, the Titans also did a makeover at receiver. The Titans signed veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson in free agency, and selected Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor in the NFL Draft. I called this category "Pass Catchers" and not "Receivers" because I'm including tight ends Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm in this grouping, because they're going to be counted on, too. One player I haven't mentioned yet is veteran Calvin Ridley, and he enters the season as the team's biggest threat. He'll also draw the most attention from opposing defenses. The Titans need all of these players, or at least a combination of them, to produce for Ward and the offense.
Defense
So much is different on this Titans team, and that includes the defense. Former Broncos linebacker Cody Barton is now in the middle of a Titans unit that will have to prove it can disrupt the quarterback, and be solid in the secondary. Having cornerback L'Jarius Sneed in the lineup should help on the back end, while newcomers like Dre'Mont Jones and Femi Oladejo will try to impact things on the line of scrimmage, alongside Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat. The challenge on Sunday isn't an easy one against a Denver offense led by quarterback Bo Nix, who completed 68.3 percent of his passes with 28 TDs and just 8 INTs in Weeks 5-18 in 2024 to guide the Broncos into the playoffs.
Special Teams
We've talked plenty about changes heading into the season. On special teams, the Titans have a new coordinator (John Fassel), a new kicker (Joey Slye), a new punter (Johnny Hekker) and a new returner (Chimere Dike), not to mention a boatload of new players on coverage teams. The Titans are hoping this group helps the team win games, and not lose them, moving forward. Fassel talked earlier in the week about the altitude impacting the kicking game, potentially putting extra long field goals in play. It's one of a lot of things to watch on Sunday, when the Titans kick off the 2025 season.
