Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars went into Mile High and beat the Denver Broncos 34-20 en route to finishing the season on an eight-game winning streak. They return Sunday as underdogs, after winning by 24 while Denver lost by 21.
The Jaguars are clean off an opening weekend demolition of the Cleveland Browns, who they beat 34-10. The Broncos are looking to recover in their home opener after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs, who returned Patrick Mahomes from injury with the addition of Kenneth Walker, enjoyed success against the Broncos defense as the offense produced 404 yards and 31 points.
For Denver, the most concerning part of the loss on Monday Night Football was the 247 yards the Chiefs gained after missed tackles. This tackling problem could linger as Jacksonville running back Bhayshul Tuten forced nine missed tackles and 65 yards after contact against the Browns.
If Jacksonville can get the run game going behind Tuten again, quarterback Trevor Lawrence will look to build towards another big week. Lawrence threw for 245 yards and four touchdowns last week.
Lawrence’s success had much to do with a receiving corps that picked up right where they left off last season. They were led by Parker Washington, who brought in five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Washington was joined by Josh Cameron, Brenton Strange, and Jakobi Meyers, who caught Lawrence’s three other touchdown passes.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle made his debut last week and accounted for just one reception for just two yards. Waddle was an off-season addition that was supposed to bring an explosive piece to the offense, but between his one catch and running mate Courtland Sutton’s two catches the offense sputtered and gained only 192 yards on the day.
The keys to victory for Jacksonville include limiting turnovers and keeping the Denver offense in its slump. Over his last seven regular season games Lawrence has 19 touchdown passes and just one interception.
Lawrence has been streaky for most of his career. The seven-game stretch that closed last season is the longest he’s sustained success, and Week 1 has extended it across seasons.
Limiting turnovers will allow the Jaguars offense to continue to put up points in bunches and allow them to build on what they’ve built under Coen. The team finished last season as the sixth highest scoring offense, and is in the same spot after Week 1 this year. Lawrence’s brilliant seven-game span the Jaguars are scoring 34.4 points per game and are 7-0.
Jacksonville’s defense was sharp on Sunday, and will look to continue that success over a Broncos offense that is reeling from its performance on Monday night. Bo Nix was critical of the team’s play on Monday. “Literally gave ourselves no chance to succeed today,” Nix said. “We made it easier for them.”
Nix completed 17-of-28 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 1. He didn’t get much help from the run game that only gained 61 yards. If Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker can replicate the pressure the Chiefs put on Nix, the Jaguars will be set up for success.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High at 4:05 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on CBS.
