Overview

• Denver beat Tennessee 20-12 in Week 1 with the offense sputtering for long stretches.
• Bo Nix went 25-of-40 for 176 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble, as Payton reiterated long-term confidence and said he would be better.
• Denver’s defense produced six sacks of Cam Ward, with Talanoa Hufanga forcing a fumble and Nik Bonitto flashing after his extension.
• Execution issues piled up, including a delay of game, an RPO miscommunication that led to a strip-sack, a long kick return allowed and a fourth-quarter fumbled punt by Marvin Mims Jr.
• A late rushing burst closed it out as RJ Harvey’s 50-yard run set up J.K. Dobbins’ 19-yard touchdown, even as a column criticized Payton’s late fourth-down choices such as a QB sneak at his own 46 and a deep pass with 65 seconds left.