The Denver Broncos will open up the season tomorrow afternoon against the Tennessee Titans, and we’ll have our eyes on three players who will help determine the outcome of Week 1.

Denver Broncos three players to watch vs. Titans

Sunday’s season opener is approaching quickly, and while we won’t get to see our first look at Dre Greenlaw in a Broncos uniform, we’ll get the chance to see Patrick Surtain II, Quinn Meinerz, and Troy Franklin help determine the outcome.

Patrick Surtain II vs. Calvin Ridley could define Broncos vs. Titans

Calvin Ridley is the Tennessee Titans’ most dangerous wide receiver ahead of Sunday’s matchup, and it’s safe to assume that Patrick Surtain II will cover him as much as possible to limit him and rookie quarterback Cam Ward’s connection.

Ridley appeared in 17 games last season for the Titans and hauled in 64 catches for 1017 yards and four touchdowns. Some of the buzz around Tennessee is that the Titans could plan on moving Ridley around on Sunday to try to reduce the number of times Surtain can line up against him, but the bad news for the Titans is that Surtain travels, and travels well.

This will be a huge matchup that could have high stakes toward determining the outcome of tomorrow’s game, as well as an honorable mention of Riley Moss vs. Tyler Lockett.

Quinn Meinerz vs. Jeffery Simmons

Jeffery Simmons spoke earlier this week about Bo Nix being a ‘one read’ quarterback, suggesting that if Nix’s first read isn’t there, he typically looks to run, which head coach Sean Payton disagreed with. Perhaps Quinn Meinerz and the offensive line heard what Simmons said and use it as bulletin board material to help their quarterback thrive on Sunday.

Simmons is a legitimate interior pass rush threat, and what better way to neutralize that threat than having your All-Pro guard work against him? While Simmons will likely play near Meinerz, the Broncos’ offensive line will need to bring their A-game against him, T’Vondre Sweat, Arden Key, and Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Denver has to come out and get the ground game established early with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, which should open up the passing game for Nix.

Troy Franklin could thrive in Week 1

The Tennessee Titans secondary is much more improved than it was a year ago, and it’s likely that former Kansas City Chiefs rival and now Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed will be the primary name to line up against Courtland Sutton on Sunday.

If the Titans’ defense focuses on trying to take away Sutton as Nix’s top option, then Troy Franklin will have plenty of opportunities to be a go-to guy on Sunday. Not only will Franklin threaten the Titans’ defense as a downfield threat, but he could see an early volume of targets to open up the game, depending on how Tennessee tries to play Denver.

This could be a game where we see Franklin targeted seven or eight times.