(Photo: New York Times)
AFC Game Of The Week
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Jaguars (10-4):
The AFC South has been one unpredictable division this year. The Indianapolis Colts came out firing on all cylinders and, at one point, held the best record in the AFC. But reality caught up to them, and after losing Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles, they signed Philip Rivers to their roster. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans struggled; they were heavy favorites to win the division but started slowly. Now, they’ve found their swagger and are one of the hottest teams in the league. Then, there’s the team in Duval County. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect from them, and I haven’t always been high on Trevor Lawrence. But he’s had a strong season this year. First-year coaches tend to struggle, but this season we’ve seen three first-year head coaches reach double-digit victories: Mike Vrabel with the Patriots, Ben Johnson with the Bears, and Liam Coen with the Jacksonville Jaguars. On Sunday against the Jets, the Jaguars put on an offensive clinic. Trevor Lawrence had the best game of his career, accounting for six total touchdowns. Who would have imagined this team would be in first place in a division they weren’t expected to win? That’s the beauty of this sport—you never truly know what’s going to happen. This Sunday, they head to Denver to face a team on a lengthy winning streak.
Broncos (12-2):
10. This is where we stand with the winning streak. With the New England Patriots falling to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday, the Denver Broncos have inserted themselves at the top of the AFC playoff picture as the No. 1 seed. Just last week, I mentioned that I’d take the Broncos over the Patriots solely because of their defense, which I believe is one of the two best in the league, and the coaching advantage. I’m a Mike Vrabel fan and advocated for him going to New England, but Sean Payton’s track record and experience, including a Super Bowl win, cannot be overlooked. Sunday against the Green Bay Packers was a challenge, but the Broncos came out on top for another win. My only concern with this group is the offense—you never know which version of Bo Nix will show up. In Week 15, though, he delivered when his team needed him most, throwing four touchdown passes against a very stout Packers defense. With the Chiefs now eliminated from playoff contention, the AFC West is the Broncos’ to lose. A month from now, the road to the Super Bowl could very well run through the Mile High City. On Sunday, Denver will look to win their 11th consecutive game and clinch their first division title in a decade.
Jaguars X-Factor: Jakobi Meyers
Jakobi Meyers has been a huge addition to the Jacksonville offense, giving Trevor Lawrence a reliable weapon across the field. The Broncos will likely bracket Brian Thomas or roll safety help wherever he is, which means Meyers will see a lot of nickel coverage and more targets on quick passes. He can also attack Denver’s defensive weakness in the slot and intermediate zones. As a chain-mover, Meyers is perfect for a pressure-heavy defense: quick passes neutralize the pass rush.
Broncos X-Factor: Nik Bonitto
I followed Nik Bonitto closely during his college days at Oklahoma, and I’m loving what he’s becoming in the NFL. On this elite defense, he’s one of many playmakers in Denver’s front seven. The Jaguars’ offensive line has struggled against speed rushers, and that’s exactly Bonitto’s strength. Trevor Lawrence thrives when he has time to set his feet, and Bonitto can disrupt his rhythm. He doesn’t rely solely on sacks—he can tackle in space, tip passes, and create turnovers.
Final Thoughts:
If you had told me entering Week 16 that these two teams would be the No. 1 and No. 3 seeds in the AFC, I’d tell you to buy a lottery ticket. Who would have imagined how strong they’d both be? Last week, both Trevor Lawrence and Bo Nix had their best games of the season. This game will reveal more about how each team builds off those performances. Jacksonville looked impressive against the Jets, but the Broncos had to grind out a tough home victory over the Packers. I’ll be watching the line of scrimmage closely—it will be key for Denver to win both sides. Protecting Nix against Jacksonville’s strong front seven, stopping the run, and applying pressure on Lawrence will dictate the tone. The Jaguars need balance between run and pass, forcing Denver to respect the run while getting Lawrence into rhythm early. Denver, meanwhile, must make Jacksonville one-dimensional by plugging the run, forcing early third downs, and pressuring the quarterback. Situational awareness is also critical: take care of the ball, minimize penalties, and execute in the red zone. This should be a fun matchup.
