Broncos Blown Out by Jaguars, But AFC’s Top Seed Still Within Reach
The Denver Broncos walked into Week 16 with momentum and high expectations. They walked out with a stinging home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and a reminder that in the NFL, nothing comes easy-especially in December.
Jacksonville came into Mile High and flat-out dominated. The Broncos couldn’t find traction on either side of the ball, and while the scoreboard didn’t get out of hand until later, the Jaguars controlled the rhythm and tempo from start to finish.
Denver’s defense, which has been a strength all year, was clearly missing the presence of starting safety Brandon Jones. His absence loomed large against a red-hot Jacksonville offense that picked apart the secondary with precision.
The result? A 12-3 record for Denver, and a missed opportunity to clinch a tighter grip on the AFC’s top seed. Making matters worse, the Patriots, Bills, and Chargers all notched wins, creating a worst-case scenario for the Broncos in the standings.
Still in the Driver’s Seat
Here’s the good news: despite the setback, Denver still holds the No. 1 seed in the AFC thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker over New England. So while the loss stings, the path forward is crystal clear - and still very much within their control.
The Broncos don’t need help. They don’t need to scoreboard-watch. They just need to win.
Two Games. One Goal.
Denver’s road to the AFC’s top seed - and the all-important first-round playoff bye - runs through two final regular-season matchups:
- Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 18: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Win both, and the Broncos lock up the No. 1 spot in the AFC playoffs. It’s that simple.
And here’s where things tilt in Denver’s favor: the Chiefs are down to their third-string quarterback, Chris Oladokun, after both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew went down with ACL injuries in back-to-back weeks. Kansas City, with nothing left to play for, is essentially limping to the finish line. That sets up a prime opportunity for Denver to bounce back in a big way.
Then comes a home finale against the Chargers - a team still fighting to stay in the division race. But if the Chargers fall to the Texans in Week 17, Denver could clinch the AFC West with just one more win. That would give the Broncos a little breathing room heading into the final week.
A Loss That Might Not Hurt - If Denver Finishes Strong
In the grand scheme, this loss to Jacksonville might end up being a footnote - if Denver handles its business the next two weeks. Yes, it was a rough outing.
Yes, it exposed some vulnerabilities, especially in the secondary. But it didn’t knock them off the top of the AFC mountain.
The mission now is clear: turn the page, regroup, and finish strong. Win out, and the Broncos will head into the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time since that unforgettable Super Bowl run in 2015.
Everything is still in front of them. Now it’s about execution.