The Denver Broncos are rolling-and not just coasting, but steamrolling. With 11 straight wins under their belt, they’ve surged to a 12-2 record and sit atop the AFC as the No. 1 seed.
The AFC West? They’ve got that comfortably in hand.
But Week 16 brings a new test, and it’s no soft matchup. The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming to town, and at 10-4, they’re leading the AFC South and very much in the playoff mix.
Let’s break down what’s made Jacksonville such a tough out this season, and what Denver needs to do to keep this win streak alive.
Jaguars’ 2024 Woes Give Way to 2025 Resurgence
Let’s rewind for a second. Just a year ago, the Jaguars were in freefall.
A 4-13 finish in 2024 spelled the end of the Doug Pederson era. Offensively, they ranked 26th in points and 25th in total yards.
Defensively? Even worse-27th in points allowed and 31st in yards surrendered.
It was a team that looked directionless.
Enter Liam Coen and James Gladstone. Coen, known for his offensive creativity and a key figure in Baker Mayfield’s resurgence in Tampa Bay, took over as head coach.
Gladstone, just 34 years old, became the youngest GM in NFL history. Together, they wasted no time reshaping the roster and the identity of the franchise.
Offseason Overhaul Pays Dividends
Gladstone’s first offseason was aggressive-and necessary. Jacksonville went to work in free agency, especially on defense.
They brought in veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis on a three-year deal and added safety Eric Murray to help stabilize the back end. On offense, protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence became priority one.
Enter Robert Hainsey at center and Patrick Mekari at guard-two key additions to an offensive line that needed a serious upgrade.
Then came the draft. Gladstone made a bold move, trading up to the No. 2 overall pick to grab Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way player.
Unfortunately, Hunter landed on injured reserve and hasn’t seen the field this season. Third-round pick Caleb Ransaw has also been sidelined since training camp.
Still, Jacksonville’s rookie class hasn’t been a total wash. Day 3 picks like running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen have chipped in on offense and special teams, while linebacker Jack Kiser has carved out a role as a core special teamer.
Offensive X-Factor: Travis Etienne
When you think of Jacksonville’s offense in 2025, it’s easy to point to Trevor Lawrence. But the engine of this unit-especially under Liam Coen’s scheme-is Travis Etienne.
After a frustrating, injury-marred 2024, Etienne has bounced back in a big way. He’s racked up 949 rushing yards on 213 carries and punched in 7 touchdowns on the ground. Add 29 receptions for 254 yards and 5 more scores through the air, and you’ve got a versatile, explosive weapon who can hurt defenses in multiple ways.
Etienne’s ability to break off chunk plays is a real concern for Denver’s defense. The Broncos have tightened up over the course of their win streak, but they’ve still shown occasional vulnerability to big plays.
That’s where Etienne thrives. Whether it’s a cutback run or a screen pass in space, he’s got the burst to flip the field in a heartbeat.
Just last week, he torched the Jets for three receiving touchdowns and totaled 105 all-purpose yards. That’s the kind of performance that can tilt a game.
Denver’s front seven will need to be disciplined in their run fits, and the linebackers and safeties have to tackle well in space. Miss a tackle on Etienne, and it could be six the other way.
Defensive X-Factor: Devin Lloyd
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Devin Lloyd has been the heartbeat of Jacksonville’s defense-and arguably their most impactful player this season.
Lloyd is playing like a man on a mission in a contract year. He’s already logged 65 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits.
But where he’s really made his mark is in the turnover department. Lloyd is tied for second in the league with 5 interceptions, including a 99-yard pick-six that still has fans buzzing.
He’s also recovered a fumble, showing a nose for the football that’s hard to teach.
The former Utah standout brings size, range, and athleticism to the middle of the field. Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile has used him all over-blitzing, dropping into coverage, and flying downhill to stuff the run. He’s the kind of player who can blow up a play before it even gets going.
For Denver, that means knowing where No. 33 is at all times. Whether it’s in pass protection, play-action, or RPOs, the Broncos need to account for Lloyd’s presence. He’s a game-wrecker, and if he’s allowed to roam free, he could singlehandedly shift momentum.
What the Broncos Need to Do to Win
There’s a lot to respect about what Jacksonville’s done this season. From 4-13 to 10-4 with a shot at the division title-that’s a remarkable turnaround. Coen deserves a spot in the Coach of the Year conversation, and Gladstone’s early moves as GM have clearly paid off.
But this Denver team isn’t just hot-they’re finding ways to win in every kind of game. Blowouts, comebacks, defensive battles, shootouts-you name it. And if they want to keep that going against the Jaguars, it starts with protecting the football.
Jacksonville thrives on takeaways. They’ve forced 26 turnovers through 14 games and sit at +10 in turnover differential-second-best in the NFL.
That’s not a fluke. They’re opportunistic, aggressive, and they capitalize on mistakes.
If the Broncos can play clean, mistake-free football, they’ll put themselves in a strong position.
Discipline will be key, too. Penalties have a way of stalling drives and giving life to opponents. Denver needs to stay ahead of the sticks and keep the pressure on Jacksonville’s defense, which has shown cracks despite the playmaking.
Offensively, look for the Broncos to lean on the formula that’s worked: balance the run and pass, keep the pocket clean, and let their playmakers go to work. Defensively, it’s all about limiting Etienne and forcing Lawrence to beat them from the pocket under pressure.
This is shaping up to be one of the best matchups of Week 16-two division leaders, playoff implications on the line, and no shortage of star power on either sideline. Jacksonville’s rise has been impressive. But if the Broncos can execute, protect the ball, and finish strong, win No. 13 is well within reach.
And based on how this team has handled business lately, there’s every reason to believe they’ll find a way.