Tennessee titans vs Denver broncos match player stats
The tennessee titans vs denver broncos match player stats from Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season tell the story of a low-scoring game decided by field position, defensive pressure, rushing efficiency, and a few critical plays late in the contest. Denver defeated Tennessee 20-12 at Empower Field at Mile High on September 7, 2025, opening the season 1-0 while the Titans began 0-1. The Broncos produced 317 total yards compared with Tennessee’s 133, while Denver’s defense recorded six sacks and 14 quarterback hits. Tennessee’s defense did create two interceptions, but the Titans struggled to turn those takeaways into points.
The final score alone does not fully explain the game. Denver controlled the line of scrimmage, gained 151 rushing yards, converted 40 percent of its third downs, and held the ball for 31:56. Tennessee managed only 71 rushing yards, converted 2 of 14 third downs, and finished with seven first downs. Those numbers provide a much clearer explanation of how Denver gradually separated itself despite turning the ball over twice.
Tennessee Titans vs Denver Broncos Match Player Stats
The game was played at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, with the Broncos listed as the home team. The official game record shows a 20-12 Denver victory and a quarter-by-quarter score of 3-3, 7-6, 3-3, and 7-0 in favor of Denver. The fourth quarter was decisive because Denver scored the only touchdown of the final period.
Game summary
| Category | Tennessee Titans | Denver Broncos |
| Final score | 12 | 20 |
| Total yards | 133 | 317 |
| Rushing yards | 71 | 151 |
| Passing yards | 62 net | 166 net |
| Offensive plays | 55 | 71 |
| Yards per play | 2.4 | 4.5 |
| First downs | 7 | 20 |
| Third down | 2/14 | 6/15 |
| Fourth down | 0/1 | 0/2 |
| Turnovers lost | 2 | 2 |
| Sacks allowed | 6 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:04 | 31:56 |
The biggest statistical gap was total offense. Denver generated 317 yards on 71 offensive plays, while Tennessee produced only 133 yards on 55 plays. That meant Denver averaged 4.5 yards per offensive play, nearly twice Tennessee’s 2.4.
The difference in offensive volume was also significant. Denver ran 16 more plays than Tennessee. More plays meant more opportunities for Denver’s rushing attack, passing game, and field position strategy to create scoring chances.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The opening quarter was evenly matched.
Tennessee scored first when Joey Slye converted a 50-yard field goal. Denver responded with Wil Lutz’s 39-yard field goal, making the score 3-3 after one quarter.
The second quarter created the first meaningful separation. Slye added another field goal for Tennessee, but Denver answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton. Tennessee then added a 42-yard field goal with only two seconds remaining before halftime.
Denver entered halftime with a 10-9 advantage.
After the halftime break, Tennessee regained the lead temporarily. Slye made a 35-yard field goal to move the Titans ahead 12-10. Denver answered with another Lutz field goal, this time from 33 yards, and the Broncos entered the fourth quarter ahead 13-12.
The decisive play arrived with 7:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. J.K. Dobbins scored on a 19-yard rushing touchdown, giving Denver a 20-12 lead.
Tennessee could not answer. The Titans were unable to generate another scoring drive, and Denver closed out the victory.
The official scoring record shows that Tennessee scored four field goals but no touchdowns, while Denver scored one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and two field goals.
Cam Ward Passing Stats
Cam Ward completed 12 of 28 passes for 112 yards. He averaged 4.0 yards per attempt, threw no touchdowns and no interceptions, and was sacked six times for a loss of 50 yards.
His passer rating was 54.5, while his listed QBR was 10.3.
Those numbers require context. Ward was not intercepted, which prevented Denver from creating a turnover through the passing game. However, Tennessee’s passing attack struggled to sustain drives. Completing only 42.9 percent of his passes and absorbing six sacks placed the offense in difficult down-and-distance situations.
The six sacks are especially important when evaluating the passing statistics. Ward’s offense officially produced 112 gross passing yards, but Denver’s pressure contributed to 50 lost yards on sacks. That helped Tennessee finish with only 62 net passing yards.
The low completion total also meant that Tennessee rarely created sustained offensive rhythm.
Ward’s longest completion was 29 yards, which went to Tony Pollard. That single explosive reception accounted for more than one quarter of Ward’s passing yardage.
Ward’s passing line
| Statistic | Cam Ward |
| Completions | 12 |
| Attempts | 28 |
| Completion rate | 42.9% |
| Passing yards | 112 |
| Yards per attempt | 4.0 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Sacks | 6 |
| Sack yards lost | 50 |
| Passer rating | 54.5 |
| Longest completion | 29 yards |
For Tennessee, the most important passing statistic was arguably not the lack of interceptions. It was the inability to protect the quarterback and keep drives alive.
Bo Nix Passing Stats
Bo Nix completed 25 of 40 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He averaged 4.4 yards per attempt and posted a 60.0 passer rating.
At first glance, the two interceptions stand out. Yet Denver still produced 20 points and controlled the game statistically. The reason is that Nix had considerably more offensive support than Ward.
Nix was sacked only once for 10 yards. Denver also ran effectively, gaining 151 rushing yards. That combination prevented the Broncos from becoming completely dependent on the passing game.
Nix’s most important passing contribution came late in the second quarter when he connected with Courtland Sutton for a 22-yard touchdown. That play gave Denver its first touchdown and helped establish a 10-6 lead before Tennessee’s late field goal.
Nix’s passing line
| Statistic | Bo Nix |
| Completions | 25 |
| Attempts | 40 |
| Completion rate | 62.5% |
| Passing yards | 176 |
| Yards per attempt | 4.4 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Sack yards lost | 10 |
| Passer rating | 60.0 |
| Longest completion | 22 yards |
Nix’s performance was therefore mixed from a traditional passing perspective. He threw two interceptions, but he also completed 25 passes, produced a touchdown, avoided consistent pressure, and operated behind a rushing attack that generated 151 yards.
Tennessee Rushing Player Stats
Tennessee finished with 71 rushing yards on 21 attempts, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.
Tony Pollard led the Titans with 18 carries for 60 yards. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry and had a long run of nine yards.
Pollard was the clear focal point of Tennessee’s rushing attack. He accounted for 60 of the team’s 71 rushing yards, meaning approximately 85 percent of the Titans’ rushing yardage came from one player.
Chimere Dike added nine yards on one carry, while Julius Chestnut had two carries for two yards.
Titans rushing leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
| Tony Pollard | 18 | 60 | 3.3 | 9 | 0 |
| Chimere Dike | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Julius Chestnut | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Team | 21 | 71 | 3.4 | 9 | 0 |
The important takeaway is that Tennessee’s running game lacked explosive plays. Its longest run was only nine yards.
That limited the offense’s ability to create manageable third downs and forced Tennessee to rely heavily on a passing attack that was already under significant pressure.
Denver Rushing Player Stats
Denver’s rushing performance was one of the clearest statistical differences in the game.
The Broncos ran for 151 yards on 30 attempts, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
R.J. Harvey provided the biggest explosive run. He carried the ball six times for 70 yards, an outstanding 11.7 yards per carry. His longest run went for 50 yards.
J.K. Dobbins carried 16 times for 63 yards and scored the game’s decisive rushing touchdown. Bo Nix added 18 yards on eight carries.
Broncos rushing leaders
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
| R.J. Harvey | 6 | 70 | 11.7 | 50 | 0 |
| J.K. Dobbins | 16 | 63 | 3.9 | 19 | 1 |
| Bo Nix | 8 | 18 | 2.3 | 11 | 0 |
| Team | 30 | 151 | 5.0 | 50 | 1 |
Harvey’s 50-yard run was especially important because it changed the statistical shape of Denver’s rushing production. Dobbins supplied volume and the touchdown, while Harvey supplied explosiveness.
That combination made Denver’s ground game much harder to contain.
Receiving Statistics for Tennessee
Tennessee’s passing production was spread across several players, but no receiver reached 30 receiving yards except Pollard.
Calvin Ridley led the Titans with four receptions for 27 yards on eight targets. His longest reception was 13 yards.
Chig Okonkwo recorded three catches for 19 yards on four targets.
Tony Pollard caught one pass for 29 yards, giving him Tennessee’s longest reception and its second-highest receiving yardage despite seeing only one target.
Gunnar Helm caught one pass for 16 yards, while Elic Ayomanor recorded two receptions for 13 yards on seven targets.
Titans receiving leaders
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
| Tony Pollard | 1 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 29 | 0 |
| Calvin Ridley | 8 | 4 | 27 | 6.8 | 13 | 0 |
| Chig Okonkwo | 4 | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 14 | 0 |
| Gunnar Helm | 2 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
| Elic Ayomanor | 7 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 10 | 0 |
| Bryce Oliver | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
The receiving numbers illustrate a broader issue. Tennessee completed 12 passes, and those completions produced only 112 yards. The team did not have enough consistent gains to compensate for the sacks and stalled drives.
Denver Receiving Statistics
Courtland Sutton was Denver’s leading receiver and the only player in the game to record a receiving touchdown.
Sutton caught six passes for 61 yards on nine targets. He averaged 10.2 yards per reception and scored on a 22-yard touchdown reception.
Troy Franklin finished with four receptions for 44 yards on six targets, averaging 11.0 yards per catch.
Evan Engram added three receptions for 21 yards.
Broncos receiving leaders
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
| Courtland Sutton | 9 | 6 | 61 | 10.2 | 22 | 1 |
| Troy Franklin | 6 | 4 | 44 | 11.0 | 18 | 0 |
| Evan Engram | 4 | 3 | 21 | 7.0 | 10 | 0 |
| Tyler Badie | 6 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 13 | 0 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 4 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 7 | 0 |
| Lucas Krull | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
Denver’s receiving attack was more productive in total volume. The Broncos completed 25 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Sutton’s role was particularly important because he combined volume with scoring production. His nine targets were the most on the Denver side.
Defensive Player Stats
The defensive statistics explain why the game remained relatively low scoring despite Denver’s 317 total yards.
Tennessee’s defense recorded 75 total tackles, 46 solo tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, five passes defended, and five quarterback hits.
Denver recorded 62 total tackles, 36 solo tackles, six sacks, seven tackles for loss, four passes defended, and 14 quarterback hits.
The most significant difference was quarterback pressure.
Denver recorded six sacks compared with Tennessee’s one. The Broncos also produced 14 quarterback hits, while Tennessee recorded five.
That pressure was a major reason Tennessee finished with only 133 total yards.
Defensive comparison
| Defensive category | Tennessee | Denver |
| Total tackles | 75 | 62 |
| Solo tackles | 46 | 36 |
| Sacks | 1 | 6 |
| Tackles for loss | 4 | 7 |
| Passes defended | 5 | 4 |
| Quarterback hits | 5 | 14 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 0 |
Tennessee did have an advantage in interceptions. Xavier Woods recorded one interception and returned it 16 yards, while Roger McCreary also intercepted a pass.
Denver did not record an interception.
This creates one of the more interesting statistical contrasts from the game: Tennessee won the interception battle 2-0, yet Denver still won comfortably on total offense and field control.
Turnovers and Field Position
Both teams lost two fumbles.
Tennessee recorded two fumbles and lost both. Denver also recorded two fumbles and lost both.
The difference was what each team did outside the turnover category.
Tennessee’s two interceptions helped offset some of its offensive struggles, but the Titans could not convert those defensive opportunities into touchdowns.
Denver’s defense, meanwhile, generated six sacks and 14 quarterback hits. Even without an interception, those plays repeatedly put Tennessee behind schedule.
Field position was also influenced by special teams.
Chimere Dike returned four kickoffs for 144 yards, averaging 36.0 yards per return with a long of 71 yards. He also returned one punt for 12 yards.
Marvin Mims Jr. returned three kickoffs for 82 yards and four punts for 47 yards.
Tennessee therefore had a productive return game, but its offense struggled to capitalize on those opportunities.
Kicking and Punting Statistics
Joey Slye was responsible for all 12 of Tennessee’s points. He made all four of his field-goal attempts, including kicks from 50, 33, 42, and 35 yards.
Wil Lutz scored eight points for Denver. He made both field-goal attempts and both extra-point attempts.
Kicking
| Kicker | FG | FG % | Long | XP | Points |
| Joey Slye | 4/4 | 100% | 50 | 0/0 | 12 |
| Wil Lutz | 2/2 | 100% | 39 | 2/2 | 8 |
The kicking numbers show that both teams were perfect on field goals.
The key difference was touchdown production. Tennessee reached four field goals but never reached the end zone. Denver converted two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.
Punting also favored Denver in terms of workload.
Johnny Hekker punted eight times for Tennessee for 395 yards, averaging 49.4 yards per punt. Jeremy Crawshaw punted three times for Denver for 144 yards, averaging 48.0 yards.
Tennessee’s eight punts are another indicator of how often its offensive possessions ended without sustained production.
Third Down Was a Major Difference
Third-down efficiency is one of the clearest ways to understand the game.
Tennessee converted only 2 of 14 third downs, a rate of 14.3 percent.
Denver converted 6 of 15, a rate of 40.0 percent.
That is a substantial difference.
Denver’s ability to convert third downs extended drives and allowed the Broncos to run 71 offensive plays. Tennessee’s struggles on third down helped limit the Titans to 55 plays.
The difference was not simply about one quarterback statistic. It was the combined effect of rushing efficiency, pass protection, down-and-distance situations, and defensive pressure.
Tennessee repeatedly faced difficult situations and could not consistently recover.
Red-Zone Performance
Neither offense was highly efficient in the red zone.
Tennessee went 0-for-2 in red-zone opportunities.
Denver went 1-for-3.
That means Denver did not dominate every scoring area. The Broncos still left potential points on the field.
However, Denver’s ability to generate field goals and eventually score the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown was enough to win.
Tennessee’s inability to score a touchdown was particularly costly. Four field goals produced 12 points, but a single touchdown drive would have changed the scoring equation.
What the Player Stats Reveal
The most useful way to read these numbers is to look beyond individual totals.
1. Denver won the line-of-scrimmage battle
The Broncos rushed for 151 yards while Tennessee managed 71.
Denver also recorded six sacks.
Those two statistics are closely connected to the overall flow of the game. When one team can run efficiently while also creating pressure on the opposing quarterback, it can control the pace without needing explosive passing numbers.
2. R.J. Harvey supplied the explosive run
Harvey’s six carries produced 70 yards.
That means his 50-yard run accounted for most of his total production. His contribution should therefore be viewed differently from Dobbins’ 16-carry workload.
Dobbins provided consistent volume and scored the decisive touchdown. Harvey provided the major explosive play.
3. Courtland Sutton was the key receiving producer
Sutton finished with 61 yards and a touchdown.
His nine targets also show that Denver consistently looked toward him in the passing game.
His 22-yard touchdown was Denver’s only passing touchdown and gave the Broncos a critical scoring advantage before halftime.
4. Tennessee’s defensive takeaways were not enough
Two interceptions are usually valuable in a close game.
Tennessee’s defense also held Denver to 20 points.
But the Titans struggled to turn defensive success into offensive production. Denver’s defense countered with six sacks and 14 quarterback hits.
That pressure ultimately created a different kind of defensive control.
5. Tennessee’s field-goal dependence mattered
Slye made all four of his attempts.
That was excellent kicking efficiency, but it also highlighted Tennessee’s difficulty finishing drives.
The Titans scored in four separate field-goal situations but never scored a touchdown.
Denver eventually produced the type of scoring play Tennessee could not: a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown.
Why the Final Score Was Closer Than the Yardage
The final score was 20-12, an eight-point Denver victory.
The yardage gap was much larger.
Denver gained 317 total yards compared with Tennessee’s 133, a difference of 184 yards.
Several factors kept Tennessee within one score for most of the game.
First, the Titans made four field goals.
Second, Tennessee’s defense intercepted Nix twice.
Third, Denver also lost two fumbles.
Fourth, Denver did not dominate red-zone efficiency.
Those factors prevented the Broncos from turning their yardage advantage into a much larger scoreboard margin.
This is an important lesson when evaluating box scores. Total yards can explain how a game was controlled, but turnovers, field goals, and red-zone execution often explain why the final score looks different from the yardage differential.
A Closer Look at Tennessee’s Offensive Challenges
Tennessee’s 133 total yards were distributed across 112 gross passing yards and 71 rushing yards, but six sacks reduced the team’s net passing output to 62 yards.
That means the Titans effectively produced only 133 net offensive yards.
The offense also had just seven first downs.
The third-down conversion rate of 14.3 percent made sustained drives difficult.
The passing game did not produce enough completions, while the running game averaged only 3.4 yards per carry.
There was also a lack of explosive rushing production. Tennessee’s longest run was nine yards.
That combination created a difficult offensive environment:
- Low rushing efficiency.
- Heavy quarterback pressure.
- Low third-down conversion.
- No offensive touchdown.
- Limited receiving yardage.
- Multiple lost fumbles.
The fact that Tennessee still scored 12 points was largely a product of Slye’s perfect field-goal performance and the defense’s two interceptions.
A Closer Look at Denver’s Offensive Approach
Denver’s offensive numbers were not perfect either.
Nix threw two interceptions, and the Broncos lost two fumbles.
Yet Denver maintained a strong structural advantage.
The Broncos ran 30 times for 151 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.
They passed 40 times and completed 25 attempts.
They also converted 6 of 15 third downs.
Most importantly, Denver produced 20 points despite several mistakes.
The rushing attack reduced the pressure on Nix to produce a high-volume scoring performance. Dobbins handled 16 carries, while Harvey added the explosive 50-yard run.
That balance gave Denver enough offensive flexibility to continue moving the ball.
The Most Important Individual Performances
Several players stand out when the complete statistical picture is considered.
J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins carried 16 times for 63 yards and scored the decisive 19-yard touchdown.
His touchdown came with 7:37 remaining in the fourth quarter and changed the game from a one-point Denver lead into an eight-point advantage.
R.J. Harvey
Harvey carried six times for 70 yards.
His 50-yard run was the game’s longest rushing play and produced a huge chunk of Denver’s rushing output.
Courtland Sutton
Sutton caught six passes for 61 yards and one touchdown.
His 22-yard score was Denver’s first touchdown of the afternoon.
Tony Pollard
Pollard carried 18 times for 60 yards and also caught one pass for 29 yards.
He accounted for 89 yards from scrimmage, although Tennessee struggled to create enough offensive opportunities around him.
Joey Slye
Slye made all four field-goal attempts and scored all 12 Tennessee points.
His longest kick was 50 yards.
Denver’s pass rush
The Broncos recorded six sacks and 14 quarterback hits.
That pressure was arguably the most influential defensive statistic because Tennessee could not maintain offensive rhythm.
Key Numbers at a Glance
For readers who want the essential box score without the longer analysis, these are the numbers that matter most:
- Final score: Denver 20, Tennessee 12
- Game date: September 7, 2025
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
- Denver total yards: 317
- Tennessee total yards: 133
- Denver rushing yards: 151
- Tennessee rushing yards: 71
- Denver passing yards: 166 net
- Tennessee passing yards: 62 net
- Denver first downs: 20
- Tennessee first downs: 7
- Denver third-down rate: 40.0%
- Tennessee third-down rate: 14.3%
- Denver sacks: 6
- Tennessee sacks: 1
- Tennessee interceptions: 2
- Denver interceptions: 0
- Denver time of possession: 31:56
- Tennessee time of possession: 28:04
- Courtland Sutton: 6 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
- J.K. Dobbins: 16 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
- R.J. Harvey: 6 carries, 70 yards
- Tony Pollard: 18 carries, 60 yards
- Cam Ward: 12-of-28, 112 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
- Bo Nix: 25-of-40, 176 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
- Joey Slye: 4-for-4 field goals
FAQs
What was the final score between the Titans and Broncos?
The Denver Broncos defeated the Tennessee Titans 20-12 in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season.
When was the Titans vs Broncos game played?
The game was played on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Who led the Titans in rushing?
Tony Pollard led Tennessee with 18 carries for 60 yards. He also caught one pass for 29 yards.
Who led the Broncos in rushing?
R.J. Harvey led Denver in rushing yardage with 70 yards on six carries. His longest run was 50 yards.
How did Cam Ward perform?
Cam Ward completed 12 of 28 passes for 112 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked six times for 50 yards.
Who scored the Broncos’ touchdowns?
Courtland Sutton caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bo Nix, while J.K. Dobbins scored a 19-yard rushing touchdown.
Conclusion
The tennessee titans vs denver broncos match player stats show that Denver’s 20-12 victory was built primarily on offensive volume, rushing efficiency, pass-rush pressure, and late-game execution.
The Broncos produced 317 total yards to Tennessee’s 133 and ran for 151 yards compared with 71 for the Titans. Denver also recorded six sacks and 14 quarterback hits, creating constant pressure on Cam Ward.
Tennessee’s defense did generate two interceptions, and Joey Slye converted all four of his field-goal attempts. Those contributions kept the Titans competitive on the scoreboard.
However, the offensive efficiency gap was substantial. Tennessee converted only two of 14 third downs, recorded seven first downs, and failed to score a touchdown. Denver converted six of 15 third downs, recorded 20 first downs, and eventually created the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown.
The individual statistics tell the same story. J.K. Dobbins supplied the touchdown and workload, R.J. Harvey provided the explosive 50-yard run, and Courtland Sutton delivered the Broncos’ key receiving touchdown. For Tennessee, Tony Pollard carried the largest offensive workload, while Slye provided all 12 points.
Taken together, the numbers show a game in which Denver’s overall offensive structure and defensive pressure outweighed Tennessee’s two takeaways and perfect field-goal kicking.
For the verified game record, player statistics, scoring summary, and official box score, use the NFL’s official game information when updating or republishing this article.
