Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos predictions

One team looked like it hadn't missed a beat. The other team got, well, beat.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos entered the season as two of the favorites in the AFC.

After Week 1, the Jaguars have lived up to their billing. The Broncos have not.

Sure, they had polar opposites as far as competition for their first game: The Jaguars throttled the Browns 34-10 while the Broncos were dominated by the Chiefs 31-10. But the Jaguars executed their game plan while the Broncos got pushed around.

Despite the Broncos' struggles, Denver is favored by 2.5 points at Empower Field.

They were favored in 2025 at home against the Jaguars, yet Jacksonville imposed its will in defeating Denver 34-20.

Can the Broncos right the ship in their home opener, or

will the Jaguars continue to roll, having won nine consecutive regular-season games?

Let's see what our experts at The Florida Times-Union have to say:

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Jaguars beat writer

Jaguars 27, Broncos 17

After successful Week 1, the Jaguars continue their regular season winning streak against a lagging Denver Broncos team.

Season record: 1-0

MIKE DiROCCO

ESPN

Jaguars 27, Broncos 24

The Jaguars' pass offense can feature anybody at any time and Pat Surtain II can't cover everyone.

Season record: 1-0

RYAN O'HALLORAN

Times-Union Sports columnist

Jaguars 27, Broncos 20

Hey, Jaguars offensive line, this matchup puts you in the spotlight. Denver had an NFL-best 68 sacks last year, which was the fifth-most in league history.

In the Jaguars’ win over the Broncos last December, I charted Denver with 22 pass-rush “disruptions” (five sacks, 10 knockdowns and seven pressures) while rushing five or more on 16 of Trevor Lawrence’s 47 drop-backs.

“They definitely mix it up,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “(Defensive coordinator) Vance (Joseph) does a nice job of making things look the same and creating a lot of problems for you pre-snap. It’s a guessing game. Who is coming? Who is dropping?”

Last week against Kansas City, the Broncos rushed five or more on 11 of Patrick Mahomes’ 32 drop-backs. Against a five-man rush, Mahomes was 4-of-8 passing for 36 yards and one interception.

A player to watch is defensive tackle Zach Allen, who had two Week 1 sacks.

“I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the NFL, especially in his (pass) rush,” Coen said.

A tall order, but the Jaguars will run it well enough to help contain the Broncos’ pass rush and move to 2-0.

Season record: 1-0

GARRY SMITS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 27, Broncos 26

Holy Randy Gradishar, was Denver awful on defense against Kansas City, or what? How does an NFL team miss 28 tackles? Anyway, you've got to think they'll be red-faced returning for their home opener on a short week and perhaps that much more motivated to exact some payback on the Jaguars for the breaking of their 11-game winning streak last season.

Denver has a better team than they showed six days ago at Arrowhead and has a better team than they showed 262 days ago at Mile High when Trevor Lawrence and the Jags dropped them like third-period French. But maybe, just maybe, the Jaguars are a better team. They looked it against the Browns. Can they look the part against the Broncs? I think so, by the margin of a long-distance Cam Little field goal soaring through the thin mountain air.

Season record: 1-0

JUSTON LEWIS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 30, Broncos 24

Should be a high-intensity matchup. Could go either way, but the Jaguars have won 10 of their last 11 outings. No reason to think they'll stop winning now.

Season record: 1-0

CLAYTON FREEMAN

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 23, Broncos 20

The Broncos should improve from their Monday night showing, but will it be enough? The Jaguars came out on top in Denver nine months ago, on a 145-yard receiving day from Parker Washington, and they can do it again.

Season record: 1-0

TIM WALTERS

Times-Union Sports Editor

Jaguars 24, Broncos 17

Was it me or did Bo Nix not look right against Kansas City? Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will have Nix on the run all day, the Broncos' run game will not be very effective against the Jaguars, and Jacksonville's offense is just too good right now to be slowed down. That all adds up for a recipe for victory.

Season record: 1-0

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos predictions