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Tests don't get much tougher than this for rookie quarterback in his first NFL game. 

Cam Ward — the No. 1 pick in April's draft — made his NFL debut for the Tennessee Titans Sunday against a Denver Broncos defense projected by many to be the best in the league. In a game in which Broncos quarterback Bo Nix committed three turnovers, Ward and Tennessee's offense managed to keep things close. 

But Denver's defense ultimately proved too tough as the Titans failed to score a touchdown in a 20-12 Broncos win. 

Ward, as expected, faced consistent pressure from a pass rush led by Pro Bowler Nik Bonitto. When Ward found time to throw, options were slim against a secondary featuring reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II. The result was a Titans unit that generated just 135 yards of offense. 

Ward had his moments and avoided major mistakes in a turnover-free effort. He was also failed at times by his receivers, including two big fourth-quarter drops by Calvin Ridley on downfield strikes.

But in the end, the Broncos sacked Ward five times, including once in the red zone and twice more during a critical fourth-quarter possession after a muffed Broncos punt return that put Tennessee in field-goal range.

Late sacks end Titans' best hope for upset 

Tennessee took over possession early in the fourth quarter at Denver's 24-yard line while trailing 13-12 and needing just a field goal to take the lead. But Ward took a second-down sack that pushed the Titans back to the 38. 

An ensuing third-down sack by Zach Allen pushed the Titans back well out of field-goal range to force a punt.

Tennessee had two more chances to tie the game after the Broncos took a 20-12 lead on a J.K. Dobbins touchdown run. 

Ridley threw a would-be first-down strike on third-and-10 to Ridley near the Broncos 30-yard line. But it ricocheted off Ridley's hands incomplete, and the Titans punted again from midfield. 

Then the Broncos turned the ball over on downs at the Tennessee 36 with 1:04 remaining. But the Titans failed to secure a first down on a drive where Ridley dropped another would-be first-down pass that hit him in the hands. 

In the, Ward completed 12 of 29 passes for 112 yards with no touchdowns or turnovers. He lost 48 yards on five sacks. But there were moments of encouraging play from the rookie quarterback to build on for Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams.

And Tennessee's defense looked stout itself in a game that generated four Broncos turnovers. 

This story will be updated.