Titans Lose NFL Opener 20-12, Cam Ward Sacked Six Times in Debut

In their Week 1 matchup, the Tennessee Titans suffered a 20-12 defeat against the Denver Broncos, with rookie quarterback Cam Ward facing a harsh NFL debut. Ward, the top overall pick in the 2025 draft, was sacked six times, tying the post-merger record for most sacks taken by a No. 1 overall pick in their first game, a mark previously held by David Carr in 2002. Despite the pressure and a low offensive output of just 133 yards, Ward showed moments of promise, including a 29-yard completion to Tony Pollard on his very first NFL pass, who led the team's rushing attempts but struggled to find significant yardage. The Titans also battled penalties and miscues, including a lost fumble by Pollard and costly sacks in crucial moments, which thwarted scoring opportunities. Tennessee's defense forced turnovers but could not capitalize enough offensively, highlighting concerns for the team's development moving forward. The Titans now prepare for their home opener against the Los Angeles Rams, hoping for improvement after this challenging start.