J.K. Dobbins found daylight on a cloudy afternoon for the Broncos running game.

The veteran running back took a fourth-quarter handoff in the red zone and scored his first rushing touchdown since joining the Broncos in free agency. Dobbins ran 19 yards into the end zone to help seal a 20-12 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High.

“It was an inside zone run. I saw a hole,” Dobbins said. “Once I get a little crease, I feel like I’m a guy that’s going to take advantage of it. So, that’s what I did. I had to break a tackle on the way there, but we got it done.”

First TD in the orange & blue. 🥳📺: FOX | @Jkdobbins22 pic.twitter.com/y94pdLRngV

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 7, 2025

Dobbins high-stepped the last few yards before crossing the goal line. He one-hand chucked the football at the sidewall — in both celebration and relief.

Denver finished the game with 30 carries for 151 yards for a solid average of 5 yards per carry. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.

“We need to get way better,” Dobbins said.

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The Broncos waited until the last two quarters to finally break loose on the ground. They entered halftime, leading 10-9, with just nine total carries for 25 yards. Something had to change.

“I just didn’t think we got into enough of a rhythm offensively in the first half to commit to running the football, to be able to impose our will on that team,” starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “We turned the ball over far too much. We didn’t allow drives to even get started by not converting first downs. … You don’t get the privilege of running the football like that because you’re not staying on the field. It’s a full-team effort.”

A dominant defense allowed the Broncos to hang around long enough to finally gain traction on the ground. RJ Harvey provided the spark. The rookie running back showcased why Denver drafted him in the second round out of Central Florida.

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The Broncos, leading 13-12 in the fourth quarter, started a drive at their 20-yard line. Harvey took an inside handoff, broke through the first layer of defense, and bounced the run outside toward the far sideline. He broke through one  arm tackle and exploded into open space for a 50-yard gain.

“It felt great,” Harvey said. “I’m mad I got (tackled). But it is what it is. It’s great to get some space like that and just run.”

Starting left guard Ben Powers told The Denver Gazette: “RJ is awesome. He’s gonna be a really good back in this league, and it’s so exciting to see that jump in game one.”

Harvey’s game-long rushing attempt set up Dobbins’ scamper into the end zone just three plays later. But what took so long? Coach Sean Payton addressed the slow-progressing run game in his postgame news conference.

“We’ve got to look closely at what we’re doing, and as coaches, look closely at what our strengths are,” Payton said. “It was good to finally be a little bit more efficient in the second half than in the first half.”

Broncos running backs also shouldered the blame.

Dobbins (16 carries for 63 yards) said: “I can break more tackles, for sure. I put it all on me.”

Harvey (six carries for 70 yards) said: “It’s a lot that I can get better at. Whether it’s pass protection or being quicker with my decisions.”

The Broncos (1-0) move on to face the Colts in Week 2 after they blew out the Dolphins, 33-8, in their season opener. Denver will need more than just great defense to remain undefeated in the early season. That’s why Dobbins didn’t mince words when asked how the run game will improve.

“It could be one play. It could be 10 weeks. We’ve just got to gel,” Dobbins said. “We’ve got to figure it out, which we will. It’s my job. They brought me here for a reason, right? … We’re going to sit down, watch the film (and) talk about it. … Then we’ll fix it.”