Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (10:30 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Jaguars in Luca Evans’ scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Broncos 27, Jaguars 20
There have been several points during this 11-game run where it’s easy to look at the opponent and say, ‘yeah, this could be the week.’ Before it was even a streak at Philadelphia. Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Green Bay. All but one of those — looking at you, Cowboys defense — and most of the others, too, have ended up close. Jacksonville is another contender in now a three-month End the Streak challenge. Somehow, the Jags end up like the rest.
Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Broncos 28, Jaguars 24
At this point, every single game Denver plays the rest of the season is going to be a one-score game, because that’s apparently the way that fate intended. So this is going to be a Mile High toss-up between two of the hottest teams in the league, and could come down to a head-to-head quarterback battle between Bo Nix and Trevor Lawrence. Here’s leaning Nix against the Jaguars’ pass defense.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 26, Jaguars 23
Are we sure the Packers will be the best team the Broncos face this season? The Jaguars are firmly in the conversation with Liam Coen’s offense running on nitromethane and a defense smothering running games. This is a chance for Bo Nix to enter the MVP race. A milepost to pass on the way to the AFC’s top seed. The difference will be homefield advantage and Sean Payton’s career dominance against first-time head coaches (30-12).
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 27, Jaguars 26
It took a half for the Broncos’ D to touch Jordan Love. You probably can’t afford to wait that long against Trevor Lawrence — he’s 0-3 this season, and 2-11 over his NFL career, when sacked four or more times in a game. New Jags WR Jakobi Meyers has been a quiet Broncos pest, averaging seven catches for 84 yards and a score over four career games vs. Denver, but Bo Nix prevails (again).
Broncos-Jaguars NFL Week 16: Must-reads
Bo Nix’s footwork is ‘a lot better’ as he plays under center more. Coincidence?
The Packers game represented a breakout as Nix completed 23 of 34 passes for 302 yards and those four touchdowns, but his game has been heating up more broadly over the past month. He had an efficient day, albeit in a much different style against Las Vegas, completing 31 of 38 passes and engineering three battering-ram touchdown drives. He threw for 616 yards in the two weeks before that in wins over Washington and Kansas City.
In those four games, Nix has completed 69.5% of his passes for 282.5 yards per game and thrown five touchdowns and an interception. Before that stretch, he completed 60.9% and averaged 212 yards per game. What’s changed? Start from the ground up. Read Parker Gabriel’s story.
Through gauntlet of red-hot offenses, Broncos’ defense continues to preach red-zone strength
This Broncos defense is not perfect. Far from it. It is prone to communication errors in coordinator Vance Joseph’s match-coverage-heavy scheme. It has been bruised by tight ends and sliced open by running backs in the passing game. It surrendered a 40-yard TD run to Packers running back Josh Jacobs last Sunday that still frustrates defensive-line coach Jamar Cain, days later. The Broncos bend. And bend.
But they rarely break. It starts when opponents march into their territory — and inside the 20-yard-line, where the Broncos have still surrendered far and away the lowest percentage of touchdowns in the red zone (38.5%) in the NFL entering Week 15. This is their mentality, honed since defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s first meeting of the year, as linebacker Alex Singleton recalled Friday. Read Luca Evans’ story.
Renck: Super Bo or bust for Broncos. Why Nix deserves more respect.
Super Bo or bust. This is where the Broncos find themselves entering Sunday’s game, chasing the AFC’s No. 1 seed against the suddenly dangerous Jacksonville Jaguars.
The last time we saw Bo Nix he was riddling the Green Bay Packers vaunted defense. The last time we heard Nix he was praising Broncos Country for putting on their seatbelts, riding the roller coaster and showing patience with him. The next time he will receive universal respect will be the first time. Read Troy Renck’s column.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.