Can the Broncos break their slow 0-2 start and win their first game in the Sean Payton era? Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Live updates

Final — Dolphins 70, Broncos 20

It’s only one, but it goes down as one of the worst games in franchise history.

No Broncos team had ever given up more than 59 points. This one gave up 70.

No Broncos team had ever given up more than 634 yards. This one gave up 726.

No Broncos team had ever given up more than 10.3 yards per play in a game. This one surrendered 10.7 until the Dolphins let up on the final three snaps. Read Parker Gabriel’s full analysis of the game.

More Broncos coverage

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton after fumbling ball twice: “Unacceptable.”
Broncos rookie Drew Sanders’ first start comes on historically bad day, but his role going forward looks primed to increase.
Broncos report card: You can spell historic blowout without an “F,” but Denver piled up failing grades anyway.
Heroes and Zeros from Broncos’ historic loss to Miami Dolphins: At least Marvin Mims Jr. showed up to play.
Broncos four downs: Worst coaching job in NFL history? Sean Payton, that now belongs to you.

Fourth-quarter updates

Embarassed (2:32 p.m.): The Broncos were embarrassed. There’s no better way to put it. Miami steamrolled over them, scoring 10 touchdowns on 726 offensive yards. You know it’s bad when backup quarterback Mike White throws a 67 yard pass for a touchdown. Top to bottom this was a complete failure for Denver. There’s a lot on dirt on Sean Payton’s hands after this loss. — Ryan McFadden

Records threatened (2:15 p.m.): Well, the Broncos are facing the wrong side of history right now. Miami is threatening two long-held NFL records. With 728 total yards today, they are seven away from tying the Los Angeles Rams’ mark of 735 set in 1951. They are also in field-goal range. A successful kick would break Washington’s record. — Joe Nguyen

Huge catch (2:09 p.m.): A 46-yard pass from Russell Wilson to Jerry Jeudy. — Joe Nguyen

Another one (2:04 p.m.): De’Von Achane with a 67-yard touchdown run. He has 203 yards rushing on the day. Miami 70, Denver 20.

In case you’re wondering, the NFL record for most points in a single game is 72 by Washington in 1966. — Joe Nguyen

Go, Mims, go (2:01 p.m.): Rookie Marvin Mims Jr. returned a kick return for 99 yards. Miami 63, Denver 20. — Joe Nguyen

Chosen one (1:58 p.m.): Mike White finds Robbie Chosen, who beats Pat Surtain II, for a 68-yard touchdown. Miami 63, Denver 13 with 9:05 to go. — Joe Nguyen

And now Pat Surtain II is getting burned deep. Absolutely NOTHING going right for the Broncos at this point. Everyone is getting a taste. — Matt Schubert

Another three-and-out (1:56 p.m.): Three plays for 7 yards for the Broncos’ latest drive. It results in another Riley Dixon punt. — Joe Nguyen

Game (1:50 p.m.): The Dolphins have gone to their backup quarterback, which means that only one Miami possession with Tua Tagovailoa failed to result in points, and none in a punt. Unbelievable. — Matt Schubert

Mike Purcell down (1:49 p.m.): When it rains, it pours. Broncos defensive tackle Mike Purcell is being helped off the field. — Joe Nguyen

Three and out (1:45 p.m.): Not a good drive by the offense. — Joe Nguyen

McGlinchey hurt (1:43 p.m.): High-priced right tackle Mike McGlinchey is now down on the field — as if things couldn’t get any worse. — Matt Schubert

Another touchdown (1:39 p.m.): The Dolphins just set a franchise record most most points in a game with 56, beating their previous mark of 55 in 1977. Achane with a 10-yard touchdown. Miami 56, Denver 13. — Joe Nguyen

Third-quarter analysis — Dolphins 49, Broncos 13

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Kiz came all the way to Miami for this. I almost feel bad for him. Almost.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: I don’t know about you, but I’m having flashbacks to Christmas day?

Matt Schubert, sports editor: What do you and the Dolphins punter have in common? Neither of you have stepped on the field today in Miami.

Third-quarter updates

Intercepted (1:35 p.m.): Dolphins lineman Emmanuel Ogbah picks off Russell Wilson. Miami ball on the Denver 9-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Mostert gets fourth touchdown (1:32 p.m.): Add a receiving touchdown to Raheem Mostert’s tally today, a 19-yard reception for the veteran back. Miami 49, Denver 13 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Another fumble (1:22 p.m.): It’s a rough day for Denver. After making a nice spin move on a pass from Russell Wilson, Courtland Sutton again lost a fumble after Jevon Holland punched the ball out. Miami ball. — Joe Nguyen

Courtland Sutton gets the ball punched out of his hands for the second time today. Is it weird that I think the offense has looked pretty good? — Matt Schubert

Sutton fumbles the ball for the second time today. This game is laughable at this point. — Ryan McFadden

Three for Mostert (1:13 p.m.): Make that three touchdowns for Raheem Mostert, who powered up the middle for a 3-yard score. Extra point is good. Miami 42, Denver 13 with 7:48 to go in the third. — Joe Nguyen

Yes, the Dolphins scored another touchdown. But on the bright side, they did throw three incompletions on that drive. Baby steps. — Matt Schubert

Essang Bassey injury (1:09 p.m.): Essang Bassey hurt on that 40-yard run by Achane. — Parker Gabriel

Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey is now down on the field. Given the injuries Denver has already accumulated in the secondary, this is not a good development. — Matt Schubert

Tua’s first incompetion (1:06 p.m.): After 17 straight completions, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa just threw his first incompletion. The next play? A 22-yard pass to Braxton Berrios. — Joe Nguyen

And we have ourselves the Dolphins’ first incompletion of the day … with a little more than nine minutes left in the third quarter. No matter, Miami is marching again. — Matt Schubert

Josey Jewell update (1:02 p.m.): Josey Jewell has been ruled out for the second half. At this point, does it even matter? — Matt Schubert

Not a great start (1 p.m.): After a quick first down to start the second half, the Broncos had three runs for 5 yards before being forced to punt. — Joe Nguyen

Halftime analysis — Dolphins 35, Broncos 13

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Devon Achane had 10 carries for 74 and a TD and was the fourth-most impressive Miami offensive player behind Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert. Oh, and Jaylen Waddle’s not even playing. That didn’t stop the Dolphins from steamrolling Denver’s hapless defense in the first half.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: When I suggested the Broncos tank after loss to Washington, some of y’all told me I was crazy. Really? What do you think of me now?

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: At this point, I don’t know what else head coach Sean Payton can say. The Broncos continue to let the same mistakes beat them every week. They watched two touchdowns get wiped away because of penalties. They are 1-3 in the red zone and 2-6 on third down. Yes, the Broncos were underdogs in this game. But it’s frustrating to see this team keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Given what the Dolphins offense has done so far, it’s really hard to imagine the Broncos making this much of a game in the second half. Russell Wilson has looked just fine. Same for Javonte Williams and the rest of the Broncos offense — save for Courtland Sutton’s fumble and drop in the end zone. But two ill-timed penalties took touchdowns off the board, neither of which was much of an infraction. And with that, this game is done.

Second-quarter updates

Another FG (12:42 p.m.): No touchdown for the Broncos, who settled for a 25-yard field goal from Wil Lutz. Miami 35, Denver 13 with three seconds remaining in the half. — Joe Nguyen

Turnover (12:26 p.m.): Costly turnover for the Broncos. Courtland Sutton was stripped of the ball and Miami linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel recovered it and returned to the 3-yard line. Miami capitalized with a 3-yard touchdown run by Raheem Mostert. Miami 35, Denver 10. — Joe Nguyen

Mistake? (12:25 p.m.): Vance Joseph’s return is to Denver is looking like a big mistake. The Broncos have allowed 60 points since the second quarter of last week’s game against the Commanders. — Ryan McFadden

Another score for Miami (12:22 p.m.): Denver’s struggles against the run continues. Raheem Mostert runs for 20 yards past the Broncos defense en route to a touchdown. With 1:49 to go in the first half, it’s Miami 28, Denver 10. — Joe Nguyen

Talent gap (12:20 p.m.): The Dolphins are playing Madden on rookie mode. Tagovailoa is 16 for 16 with 206 yards and Hill has six catches for 122 yards. The talent gap between both teams is glaring. — Ryan McFadden

Can’t capitalize (12:12 p.m.): Wilson rushed that deep ball because of pressure but Mims had run clean by the Miami secondary.

Field goals won’t win this game, but according to my advanced analytics calculations taking over possession in field goal range and punting isn’t the answer, either. — Parker Gabriel

Missed opportunity for the Broncos, who get a stop on fourth-and-short in Dolphins territory and promptly go backwards, starting with a Mike McGlinchey false start. Denver had a chance to get right back in this game. Instead they punted on Miami’s side of the field. — Matt Schubert

Defensive stop (12:05 p.m.): The Dolphins went for it on fourth-and-inches, but the Broncos defense stood strong. Denver gets the ball with good field position and 4:47 on the clock. — Joe Nguyen

3 more (11:59 a.m.): Broncos get a bad break with a very bad offensive pass interference call, and they have to settle for a field goal. That’s not going to do it against this Dolphins offense. — Matt Schubert

Bad call (11:59 a.m.): Think that’s a bad OPI call on Brandon Johnson. He made contact with the DB, no doubt, but carried his route through the contact. Took a TD to Sutton and turned it into third-and-goal from the 17 and then cost Denver a timeout when it was slow out of the huddle. — Parker Gabriel

HUGE pass (11:54 a.m.): Russell Wilson connected with Marvin Mims Jr. for a huge 38-yard reception. Denver’s on first-and-goal at the Miami 10. — Joe Nguyen

As bad as the Broncos defense has looked, the Broncos offense is the exact opposite. Fantastic run from Javonte Williams. And then big play Marvin Mims Jr. emerges again. Broncos have second-and-goal at the Miami 10. — Matt Schubert

No-look pass (11:47 a.m.): That was nifty. Tua Tagovailoa did a no-look shovel pass to De’Von Achane for a 4-yard touchdown. Miami 21, Denver 7 with 10:16 to go in the second. — Joe Nguyen

Tua is 12/12 for 155 and two TDs and there’s question about whether the Dolphin’s pass game is better than its run game. — Parker Gabriel

And now we’ve reached the portion of the afternoon where the Dolphins are clowning the Broncos defense. No look shovel pass?!?!? Yikes. — Matt Schubert

Tagovailoa’s no look shovel pass for a touchdown was crazy. Dolphins are treating Denver like a junior varsity team right now. — Ryan McFadden

Poor coverage (11:44 a.m.): Miami’s wide receivers seem to be wide open on every play. — Ryan McFadden

Perfect 10 (11:43 a.m.): Tua Tagovailoa is 10 for 10 for 140 yards and a touchdown. — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Dolphins 14, Broncos 7

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos might stay in this game if they have the ball 29 of the final 45 minutes. Actually, Miami might score a lot even without having the ball very long.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: I traveled 3200 miles from Oregon to see this? Was wondering about the sanity of my planes, trains and automobiles trip until that nifty scramble and TD pass by Russell Wilson that gave Broncos life.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Tyreek Hill fantasy owners are jumping got to be jumping for joy right now. He has three catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Tagovailoa loves attacking the middle of the field and Denver has done very little to stop him. At least, the Broncos offense has looked good.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: What little we saw of the Broncos offense looked pretty darn good — and might’ve looked even better had Sean Payton challenged that Cortland Sutton drop. As for Vance Joseph’s defense? Could be better. A LOT better.

First-quarter updates

Touchdown, Broncos (11:31 a.m.): Russell Wilson scrambled out of the pocket and found Courtland Sutton in the far right corner of the end zone. Extra point good. Miami 14, Denver 7 with 1:12 to go in the first. — Joe Nguyen

This is exactly the drive the Broncos needed. Javonte Williams going full Javonte in the open field. Small chunks every snap. And then Russell Wilson extending a play for a touchdown. Excellent answer. — Matt Schubert

Really good response from the Broncos. Javonte doing Javonte stuff and efficient play from Russell Wilson. Plus it chewed 5:19 off the game clock. Denver’s going to need a few more of those this afternoon. — Parker Gabriel

Big time drive for the Broncos. Wilson looked sharp on that drive while the offensive line provided solid protection. Now, it’s time for the defense to do their part. Fingers crossed. — Ryan McFadden

Second drive starts strong (11:25 a.m.): The Broncos’ offense opens its second drive with a sense of urgency. Two quick first downs after a 15-yard pass to Jerry Jeudy and an 11-yard pass to Courtland Sutton. — Joe Nguyen

Another score for Miami (11:21 a.m.): Devon Achane plows through the Denver defense for an 8-yard touchdown run. Extra point good. Miami 14, Denver 0 with 6:31 to go in the first quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Denver’s defense (11:17 a.m.): It’s a 2-5 base defense, essentially, for the Broncos. Zach Allen and DJ Jones up front with two OLBs plus Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton and Drew Sanders all in the game.

So far… it doesn’t matter. Dolphins are doing whatever they want offensively. — Parker Gabriel

Dolphins already have 134 total offensive yards. Yikes. — Ryan McFadden

Drew Sanders (11:15 a.m.): Drew Sanders on the field for the first two series of the game feels like a development. — Matt Schubert

Surprising (11:15 a.m.): Kind of surprised that Payton didn’t challenge Sutton’s third down catch that was ruled incomplete. It seemed like Sutton was able to secure the ball just before falling out of bounds. — Ryan McFadden

That was also fast (11:12 a.m.): The Broncos’ offense responded with a quick three-and-out: a 2-yard run by Javonte Williams, followed by a 3-yard jet sweep by Marvin Mims Jr. and an incomplete pass deep to Courtland Sutton. Though, it did look closer to a catch, but Denver didn’t challenge. — Joe Nguyen

That was fast (11:06 a.m.): Tua Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill, who ran past the the Broncos’ depleted secondary for a 54-yard touchdown. Miami 7, Denver 0 with 13:37 to go in the first quarter. — Joe Nguyen

The Broncos will start the second half with the ball. Unclear if that’s actually a good thing. How in the world does Tyreek Hill get THAT open? Not a single Bronco within 10 yards of him. Way too easy for the Broncos. And Vance Joseph’s week is already off to a bang-up start. — Matt Schubert

Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill for a 54-yard touchdown. It’s going to be a long day for the Broncos. — Ryan McFadden

Coin toss (11:02 a.m.): Broncos call tails, win the toss and defer to the second half. Time to football. — Parker Gabriel

Pre-game updates

Woes ahead? (11:01 a.m.): Banged up secondary against this offense feels like a problem. — Matt Schubert

Safety starter (10:28 a.m.): Looks like the Broncos are rolling with Turner-Yell as the starting safety pair. Turner-Yell, the second-year man out of Oklahoma, played 29 snaps after Jackson’s ejection last week before having to drop out because of a cramping issue. — Parker Gabriel

Debut imminent? (10:05 a.m.): The secondary situation could also mean the first playing time of the year for rookie CB Riley Moss. Denver gave up a third-round pick to move up and nab him in the third round back in April, but his training camp got cut short when he had to have surgery to repair a sports hernia. He’s active today and Vance Joseph could be tempted to get his speed on the field in some capacity against this explosive Miami offense. — Parker Gabriel

Defensive shuffle (9:54 a.m.): Since Simmons and Skinner are OUT, the Broncos will be playing with two safeties Kareem Jackson and Delarrin Turner-Yell.

Good chance that cornerback Essang Bassey will get a handful of reps at safety, as well. — Ryan McFadden

Broncos inactives (9:34 a.m.): Safeties Justin Simmons and JL Skinner, center Alex Forsyth, defensive end Ronnie Perkins, defensive lineman Elijah Garcia and outside linebacker Frank Clark. — Ryan McFadden

Game day (9:03 a.m.): Good morning from Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida. It’s a steamy morning here — though maybe not by Miami-in-September standards — and there’s a chance of rain later in the day. The parking lots here are jumping. It’s the Dolphins’ home opener after winning their first two games on the road. Denver, of course, lost two home games and is on the road for the first time in the regular season. The Broncos are without safety Justin Simmons (hip) and the Dolphins without receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion). Big challenge for Denver on tap to try to pull the upset. — Parker Gabriel

Scouting report (9 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Dolphins in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Dolphins 30, Broncos 21

Denver’s got faith that its season is going to turn for the better. But this weekend? Against this offense? In South Florida? Mike McDaniel’s joking this week about how Miami in September made for a home-field advantage even “pre-global warming.” Now, the Broncos will have to try not to melt down before getting back to autumn at 0-3.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Dolphins 34, Broncos 26

It’s still too early to completely write off the Broncos. But they are not making that turnaround against the Dolphins. Wilson will continue to look solid but Denver’s defense will not be able to contain Miami’s offense for an entire game.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Dolphins 27, Broncos 24

The “D” in Denver stands for desperation. And that might be what the 0-2 Broncos have going for them in this trip to muggy Florida, where the heat will be on the defensive coordinator to slow down Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. Good luck with that.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Dolphins 27, Broncos 17

It took, what, two games for George Paton’s depth chart to fail the stress test? A lost September already feels like a gray November in Broncos Country, for all the wrong reasons. Wishing Justin Simmons a speedy recovery, because teams are going to be asking for him at the trade deadline. And because 31 deserves better than this.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Dolphins 31, Broncos 21

Are the Broncos really about to start the Sean Payton Era off 0-3? I’m afraid so, my friends. You can share all the stats you want about how this Broncos offense is actually better than the team’s 0-2 record indicates, but they just played the Raiders and Commanders … at home … and lost both. The Dolphins are a step up in class, and that will be apparent from the opening kick.

Broncos-Dolphins NFL Week 3: Must-reads

Broncos offensive struggles in second half one of many issues during 0-2 start: “We have to play cleaner”

When the Broncos held a 21-3 lead in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, it appeared head coach Sean Payton had exorcized the offensive demons that plagued them in 2022.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was throwing the ball efficiently, completing 6 for 8 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. looked like the second coming of Randy Moss, catching a pair of deep balls, including a 60-yard touchdown. And the Broncos had three touchdowns in three possessions.

Then, it all fell apart following Wilson’s second-quarter fumble, and the engine that kept Denver’s offense moving stopped. The Broncos had two unsuccessful drives to start the third quarter, while the Commanders outscored them 21-12 in the second half to pull off the comeback victory.

Denver’s Jekyll and Hyde offense is one of many reasons it enters Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins with a 0-2 record. If they want to prevent the season from spiraling into the Twilight Zone, they must figure out how to play a complete game, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.

From Hail Marys to homecomings, these are full-circle days for Broncos WR Brandon Johnson: “It’s a surreal feeling”

Brandon Johnson used to love to run the bases.

He wasn’t wild about baseball, mind you, but this wasn’t Little League or t-ball at the local park.

This was his childhood.

As the son of a big leaguer, some of Johnson’s earliest memories are the countless summer days spent around ballparks. The options, though they probably seem limitless to a youngster, really aren’t all that extensive, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Broncos Journal: OLBs must show they can stop run consistently, or they’ll keep getting picked on

One play before Sam Howell threw a 30-yard touchdown to Terry McLaurin early in the third quarter of Washington’s Week 2 win over Denver, he handed the ball to Brian Robinson, who started right and then cut back to the left for 11 yards.

Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto wasn’t able to squeeze down the line of scrimmage and he was visibly frustrated after Robinson finished off the first-down run, clapping his hands together.

For much of the remainder of the 35-33 Commanders win, Washington and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy went back after Bonitto’s side of the defense when he was in the game.

According to The Post’s tally, Washington ran the ball eight more times with Bonitto in the game and six of them went in his direction. They gained 60 yards and a touchdown and also hit a 36-yard screen behind him as he rushed up the field out of control and fell into the left tackle, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.