The Broncos found just enough offense to beat Jacksonville 20-13, and the spark came from two new faces: receiver Jaylen Waddle and rookie running back Jonah Coleman.
Waddle delivered the kind of performance Denver has been waiting for. He caught eight passes for 138 yards, including a 49-yard grab in the second quarter and a crucial 29-yard reception on the Broncos’ final possession to help close out the win. Coleman also stepped in and helped steady the ground game when Denver needed to finish the job.
It was a needed step forward after the Broncos looked almost empty on offense in their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. They also started slowly against the Jaguars, and it took a while for the group to settle into anything that worked. Twenty points is hardly a banner number, but it was enough to get the job done.
Waddle’s yardage stood out immediately. It was the most receiving yards by a Bronco in a single game since Jerry Jeudy had 154 in the 2022 season finale. It also marked the most receiving yards by a Broncos player in his home debut since Rick Upchurch put up 153 in 1975.
Sean Payton called the win “significant,” and pointed to Waddle’s explosiveness and his ability to create after the catch. He also noted that Jacksonville is naturally a zone coverage team, though the Broncos were able to catch them in some man looks. Payton described Waddle’s approach as “kind of infectious” and also leaned into the “good teammate” cliche.
Coleman’s role came after J.K. Dobbins left with a hamstring injury in the third quarter, which only highlighted a running back situation the Broncos still haven’t fully solved. The rookie said Dobbins always “preaches” that he needs to be ready, and he answered the call when his number came up.
Even with those contributions, the biggest answer still sits at quarterback. Bo Nix looked passive against Kansas City, and Denver’s offense against Jacksonville again showed the kind of inconsistency that has kept this team from reaching the Super Bowl. But Nix came alive in the fourth quarter and delivered his usual collection of highlight-reel plays, and the early read is simple: the Broncos will go as far as he can take them.
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