Dec. 21, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET
Liam Coen and the Jacksonville Jaguars used a comment made by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton this week as extra motivation.
When speaking with the local media earlier in the week, Payton referred to the Jaguars as a “smaller market” team.
“So we have to be on point,” Payton said early in the week. “They mix it up defensively. They have a really, really talented punt returner. As you look at them and you watch the tape, it’s a smaller market but you see a real good team.”
According to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, Coen made sure that the entire Jaguars‘ team was aware of Payton’s comments.
In what was a back-and-forth game through the first three-plus quarters, the Jaguars eventually seized control.
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Leading the way was quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who again put together an excellent outing. He was efficient, generated chunk plays when able, took care of the football, and made plays with his legs.
The Jacksonville defense surrendered a lot of yards, but got off the field on third downs and forced two more takeaways.
“A small market team like us can come into Mile High and get it done,” Coen said after the game.
The Jaguars have now won six games in a row and are 11-4 on the season. With the win over the Broncos, Jacksonville is now only one game back of Denver for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and the Jaguars hold the tie-breaker.
Jacksonville has flown under the radar for really the entire season, despite their play and win total. And the team has taken notice.
“We don’t care,” Coen said when asked about getting more respect after this win. “We really don’t care about the narrative. I’m sorry to say, but it’s only helping us so I want the narrative to keep coming.”