JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Col., in a 2025 Week 16 game Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

Oh-so meaningful. A primary goal entering the first season of this new Jaguars regime was to play meaningful December football. The ’25 Jaguars have done that to a remarkable degree, with Sunday’s game against the AFC West-leading Broncos (12-2) their first between teams six games over .500 – and their first between 10-victory teams – since the 13-1 Jaguars lost to the 11-3 Tennessee Titans, 33-14, in December 1999. This is hardly the Jaguars’ first big December game this season, with Sunday coming two weeks after the 8-4 Jaguars’ victory over the 8-4 Indianapolis Colts moved the Jaguars into sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Sunday is enormous. with the Jaguars (10-4) having a chance to move to within a game of the Broncos for the AFC’s top seed – and needing to win to stay ahead of the Houston Texans (9-5) in the division. This mix of opportunity and danger gives Sunday a nervous, exciting feel – and that’s what makes meaningful December football so meaningful. And so fun.
Growing on the fly. The Jaguars’ 10-4 start has been remarkable in multiple ways, perhaps none more so than their ability to essentially change their lineup for the better during the season – an ability that now defines this remarkable season. One example: Offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, who has started at four offensive line positions and has emerged as a possible starter the rest of the regular season. See, too, the emergence of cornerback Montaric Brown, who has solidified himself as a starter and who has minimized the midseason loss of rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Defensive ends Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II have emerged as significant contributors after being inactive early in the season. But the most striking example is at wide receiver, a position that has been completely overhauled since the start of the regular season with Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington emerging as perhaps the most critical, reliable members of the group. Meyers was acquired in a midseason trade with the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington played his way into a go-to role after being the fourth receiver in training camp. Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone spoke during training camp about great teams continuing to build during the season. The Jaguars have done just that to a remarkable degree.