DENVER — Bo-lieve? More like Bo-ring!

The Broncos’ season opener lacked thunder, but featured a lightning delay. The horse was under the weather. Or perhaps he received an advanced copy of the offensive game plan.

It was one game, the first game. And the Broncos won. Can’t forget that after the previous eight seasons. But tabulating the numbers and weighing all the information, this is the conclusion:

The Broncos whiffed on helping Bo Nix. (And in library voice … he needs it).

A tight end to loosen the middle of the field as teams force Nix to throw outside the numbers? Brilliant idea. But if Evan Engram is going to be little more than a decoy during endless line changes, we’re better off waiting for the return of the salad days of Nate Adkins. Worse, Engram made one first-down catch – the reason he was signed – and hurt his calf, leaving him to toss his helmet, while placing his status in doubt next Sunday.

All the hype and type devoted to rookie R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins? That’s perfect unless the boasts are about ghosts for three quarters.

A star linebacker capable of knocking out ball carries and providing better coverage than Verizon? Perfect. Except are we sure Dre Greenlaw can still do that? My concern two weeks ago was protecting Greenlaw from himself with a pitch count. Now, we are left to wonder when he will get snaps.

The Broncos are undefeated, and the Chiefs sit in last place in the AFC West, so things could be a lot worse. But there's no escaping how underwhelming and confusing the offense looked against a Titans team that went 3-14 last season.

We've said that the Broncos gambled on known injury risks, and those red flags can't be ignored given how Week 1 played out for Greenlaw, Engram and Dobbins (he finished with 63 yards, but lacked consistent juice).

The Broncos chose a luxury pick in the first round with cornerback Jahdae Barron with tight ends and running backs on the board. Nix sure looked like he needed more weapons and more options on Sunday.

It brings the conversation back to Payton. He has forgotten more about football than I will ever know. But what makes him great, makes him dangerous. For this team to reach its lofty goals, he must adjust to the personnel and resist the temptation to pass and put too much on Nix.

The Broncos have their best defense since 2015. Play to the strength. Lean into it.

Instead, Harvey and Dobbins rushed seven times in the first half, compared to 22 pass attempts. The latter is the same number Nix had in last season's opener. Have we not learned from the past? Do that against Indiana Jones — Colts quarterback Daniel Jones — and the Broncos will lose at Indianapolis.

Payton promised the run game would be different. Yet, Harvey and Dobbins had 13 carries for 42 yards through three quarters. Harvey's 50-yard burst and Dobbins' 19-yard touchdown high-step over the final 10 minutes goosed the statistics, but also raised the question: Why won't Payton trust them?

"I knew where we (were) at run-pass-wise," Payton said. "I was well aware of it. I mean, look, there’s a way you want to be playing the game, and we had a good plan going in. Obviously, it wasn’t perfect. We’re going to look closely at ourselves. (In Monday's) debrief of this game, all of us will learn something.”

Nix wasn't good on Sunday. There is no way around it, even as Payton shielded him from criticism. He made a terrific throw to Courtland Sutton for a touchdown, but forced the ball into coverage on two interceptions and lost his first fumble since he played for Auburn. It happens. And that's the part that remains perplexing: Why does Payton continue to ask so much of him even when he's struggling?

It continued until the very end. The Broncos faced a fourth-and-8 at the Titans' 36-yard line with 1:05 remaining. They led by eight. So punt? Or attempt a 54-yard field goal? Neither appealed to Payton as much as a pass play designed against zero coverage. Nix could barely get the ball off, misfiring in Marvin Mims Jr.'s direction.

There is an argument for this play. But not on this day. Why keep doing this to the defense?

Did the Broncos deliver? Yes, with their sixth sack. Would it have been an understandable if the group lapsed for one play after carrying the Broncos? Of course.

Criticism of a victory demands perspective. Payton believes this team is capable of winning a Super Bowl. He framed expectations. So when they offense looks like this, when the new additions miss, it demands scrutiny.

The goal is to unseat the Chiefs, who are clearly vulnerable. And to go bare-knuckle with the Chargers. Watching them on Friday, they know who they are, and let their best player — quarterback Justin Herbert — take over.

The Broncos are more talented, if for no other reason because of safety Talanoa Hufanga and the continued ascension of Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen and Pat Surtain II. But they did not look better against the Titans.

There are 16 games to go. Plenty of time to prove my skepticism wrong. But let's not forget how important it is that some of the new guys hit or this season's results are going to get old fast.

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