Broncos Look to Reset and Refocus After Tough Loss, Eyes Still on AFC West Crown
Winning 11 straight games in the NFL isn’t just impressive-it’s rare air. The Denver Broncos had been riding that wave, stacking wins, silencing doubts, and building a case as one of the league’s most resilient teams.
But Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars was a gut punch. Not just because of the result, but because of what was on the line.
Still, if there’s one thing this Broncos squad has shown all year, it’s that they don’t flinch when adversity hits. And with a short week ahead and a massive Thursday night matchup looming against the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver’s focus is already shifting forward.
“Let’s Get It Out of Our System”
Inside the locker room after Sunday’s loss, the mood was understandably frustrated-but not defeated. Linebacker Alex Singleton summed it up with the kind of perspective that’s become a hallmark of this team’s identity.
“I think that’s the best part,” Singleton said. “It’s going to happen.
This is the NFL. Like I said, when you control what you can control now… There’s nothing better than a short week to flush stuff and go play another game.
Let’s get it out of our system, and like I said, go win two football games. People can say whatever they want.”
That mindset has served Denver well all season. After a rocky 1-2 start, the Broncos didn’t just bounce back-they surged. Sunday marked their first loss since that early September stumble, and now they’ll look to do exactly what they did then: reset, respond, and get back in the win column.
Payton: “We Got Beat, Plain and Simple”
Head coach Sean Payton didn’t sugarcoat things after the game. There was no talk of bad calls or unlucky bounces. Just accountability.
“This is a confident team,” Payton said. “And I would say this, there wasn’t a guy in the locker room yesterday... that felt like we didn’t get beat.
This wasn’t an officiating [issue]… We got beat, and Jacksonville was the better team yesterday. I think our players know that.”
That kind of honesty resonates in a locker room. It’s the difference between denial and determination. And with a short turnaround, the Broncos don’t have time to dwell-they’ve got to turn the page fast.
A Division Title Still Within Reach
Here’s the bottom line: Denver still controls its own destiny. Win the next two games, and the AFC West crown-and the No. 1 seed in the conference-belongs to them. That’s the kind of clarity teams dream about in December.
Yes, both Denver and Kansas City are dealing with injuries. Yes, it’s a short week. But this is the NFL in late December-nobody’s at full strength, and every snap matters.
For the Broncos, it’s about bouncing back the way they’ve done all year. They’ve shown they can respond to setbacks. Now, with everything still on the table, they’ll need to do it one more time.
Thursday night’s showdown at Arrowhead? It’s not just another game.
It’s the kind of moment that defines a season. And if the Broncos are who they believe they are, it’s exactly the kind of moment they’re built for.