JACKSONVILLE – Another December week, another Jaguars game that matters.
And this one matters a lot.
The AFC South-leading Jaguars (10-4) on Sunday will play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (12-2) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Col. It’s a game with significant playoff implications – and one of the AFC’s biggest games of the season.
It’s a matchup of two of the NFL’s hottest and best teams, with the Broncos entering Sunday with an 11-game winning streak that has them within a victory of a division title and the Jaguars on a 5-game winning streak that has them a game ahead of the Houston Texans in the South.
It’s an opportunity for a Jaguars team that has spoken recently of recognition and respect to earn those things, a chance to show again what they have shown all season – that they are a strong team capable of a postseason run.
It’s also something of a high-wire game for the Jaguars, who can move to within a game of the top seed in the AFC with a victory – and who could be in second place in their division with a loss.
This is what meaningful football in December means. The Jaguars are back there after a 1-season absence, and they can reach their longest single-season regular-season winning streak since 1999 with a victory. Winning also would put them in position for 1 of the best regular seasons in franchise history.
This is yet another big game for team that’s playing in a lot of those these days.