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

Pre-game updates

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.

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.

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