The Jaguars and Broncos meet Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High after experiencing sharply different opening weekends. Jacksonville defeated Cleveland 34-10 behind an efficient performance from Trevor Lawrence, while Denver managed only 176 total yards in a 31-10 loss to Kansas City.
Lawrence completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns against the Browns. Jacksonville protected the football, converted its opportunities and used a varied passing game to keep Cleveland from concentrating on one target. Brian Thomas Jr. aggravated a shoulder injury during the game but returned, and head coach Liam Coen has said he expects the receiver to be available against Denver. The Broncos' defense provides a more demanding test. Denver recorded
a franchise-record 68 sacks last season and has the personnel to create pressure without consistently sending extra defenders.
The Broncos' run defense, however, is coming off a difficult night in Kansas City, where the Chiefs accumulated 220 rushing yards. Jacksonville's defense also made a strong opening statement. The Jaguars sacked Deshaun Watson five times and limited Cleveland to one first down during the first-half. That pass rush now faces a Denver offense trying to reestablish its rhythm with Bo Nix back in the lineup. Nix completed 17 of 28 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception against Kansas City. He also lost a fumble and was sacked four times in his first game since suffering a fractured ankle during last season's playoffs. Denver converted only two of 12 third downs and received limited production from a rushing attack that finished with 61 yards.
The game was also the first with offensive coordinator Davis Webb calling Denver's plays. He'll be eager to better involve Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle more consistently going forward. Sunday's meeting is a rematch of Jacksonville's 34-20 victory in Denver last season, when Lawrence threw four touchdown passes and the Jaguars ended the Broncos' 11-game winning streak.
Broncos vs Jaguars odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Broncos -2.5
- Moneyline: Broncos -145; Jaguars +135
- Total: 45.5
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Jaguars at Broncos score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Jaguars 24, Broncos 20
Are the Jaguars as good as they looked in Week 1, or is that simply what teams are going to do to the Browns all season? This next test should help us find out. Bo Nix and the Broncos were demolished in Kansas City in primetime as Patrick Mahomes reasserted the Chiefs as the best of the AFC West. While Mahomes looked just fine following major knee surgery, Nix didn't look right at all in his return from a fractured ankle. The mobility was missing, and his play was sloppy. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence looked like an MVP candidate, completing 18 of 23 passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Jacksonville also owns the rest advantage with Denver coming off a Monday night game. A win here would firmly establish the Jaguars as the team to beat in the AFC South.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Jaguars 27, Broncos 24
Denver's 28 missed tackles against the Chiefs were extremely difficult to square for a unit that has enjoyed such consistency under Vance Joseph. Another error-filled outing would surely be exploited by Liam Coen, who doesn't boast a back anywhere close to Kenneth Walker III's level but can still vex any defense with his creative scheme. Last year's December romp by Jacksonville at Empower Field showed just how easily Trevor Lawrence and the passing attack can pick apart a top defense when the offense is in top form. Maybe the result won't be as decisive as last year's outcome, but the Jaguars have the ingredients to score anoher major road victory.
Nate Davis: Broncos 27, Jaguars 24
Division champions in 2025, the Jags looked to be in midseason form Sunday – albeit against the lowly Browns. Division champions in 2025, the Broncos appeared to be in preseason form Monday night – albeit with a new playcaller and against a dynastic opponent in K.C. Trevor Lawrence accounted for four TDs when the Jaguars won a stunner in the Mile High City last December, a loss Denver and its players certainly haven't forgotten … And can't afford to experience again lest they fall into a dreaded 0-2 hole, especially with the Rams coming to town in Week 3.
Richard Morin: Jaguars 28, Broncos 27
I'm not sure how many prognosticators had the Broncos starting 0-2, but here we are. This is a tough schedule out of the gate for Denver, and even at home I don't love their chances against a Jaguars squad that I quite like. That's not to say the Broncos won't have a competitive 2026; it just won't be the same level of success we saw in 2025. Give me Jacksonville here and give me the inevitable panic in Colorado as the Broncos go winless through their first two games.
Where to watch Jaguars at Broncos
- Matchup: Broncos vs. Jaguars
- Date: Sept. 20
- Time: 4:05 p.m.
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- TV: CBS
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaguars at Broncos: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 2 game
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