Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, left, and Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper fire each other up at the start of the game during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Denver Broncos, under new head coach Sean Payton, took on divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
The Denver Broncos take the field to play the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Longtime Denver Broncos season ticket holder Leonard McCoy waits to enter Empower Field at Mile High for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 10: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks at the sidelines at Empower Field on September 10, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos under new head coach Sean Payton lost 17 to 16 to divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes the ball up the field against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Las Vegas Raiders teammates guard Greg Van Roten (70), center Andre James (68) and tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrate with Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) after Meyers scored the go-ahead touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos place kicker Wil Lutz (16) misses a field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Broncos lost, 17-16. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks to pass against the Las Vegas Raiders late in the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Denver Broncos, under new head coach Sean Payton, lost 17-16 to their divisional opponents in Week 1 of the NFL's regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos new head coach Sean Payton holds his arms out as the Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 of the NFL regular season at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on 10, 2023. The Raiders won, 17-16. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Rain made for a wet game for Denver Broncos fans at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Broncos lost to the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16, in their regular season home opener. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 10: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) gets sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (90) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High September 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper (0), left, and teammate linebacker Alex Singleton (49) celebrate a stop against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 10: Las Vegas Raiders fans are geared up for the game at Empower Field on September 10, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos under new head coach Sean Payton will take on divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
A Denver Broncos fan honors new head coach Sean Payton during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during the Broncos 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Game 1 of the NFL regular season at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) gets around Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) scores the go ahead touchdown against Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis (27), left, and linebacker Alex Singleton (49) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Broncos lost 17-16. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos tight end Chris Manhertz (84) watches the action against the Las Vegas Raiders as it rains at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) gets pushed out of bounds by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 10: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on a timeout during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High September 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) grimaces in pain after a tackle by Denver Broncos linebacker Frank Clark (55) and safety Justin Simmons (31) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) sets up a pass to Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 10: Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) scores a touchdown against Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps (1) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High September 010, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate after Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (17) catches a pass for the first touchdown during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Denver Broncos under new head coach Sean Payton took on divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) was hurt and came out for a few plays after he was hit by Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31), top, and Denver Broncos linebacker Frank Clark (55), right, during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos linebacker Frank Clark (55), right, fights to get around Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (74) during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Denver Broncos, under new head coach Sean Payton, took on divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a touchdown pass to Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 10, 2023. Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) tries to defend on the play. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Trainers help Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns (30) gets carted off the field during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) greets wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) after Meyers scored the go ahead touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) watches the end of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders from the bench at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Broncos lost, 17-16. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, left, greets Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels midfield after the Raiders 17-16 win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
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Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz, left, and Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper fire each other up at the start of the game during the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023. The Denver Broncos, under new head coach Sean Payton, took on divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Broncos lost their season home opener to their division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.
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