The Jacksonville Jaguars took care of business in Denver with a double-digit victory over the AFC No. 1 seed Broncos. With the win, Jacksonville tightened its grip on the AFC race while reminding the league this team travels just fine. Liam Coen’s offense shone with Parker Washington playing the role of Broncos executioner throughout the matchup.

Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s 34-20 road victory over the Denver Broncos.

Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!

The Jaguars entered Week 16 reasonably healthy at the starter level, with the primary injuries of note being running back Bhayshul Tuten (finger) and defensive lineman Danny Striggow (ankle). Offensive lineman Chuma Edoga, defensive tackle Maason Smith, and tight end Hunter Long were all healthy scratches, with the team deciding to go with Austin Johnson and Matt Dickerson over Smith. For the Broncos, the biggest injury consideration entering the matchup was the Broncos placing safety Brandon Jones (pec) on injured reserve. Denver also saw a return of starting left guard Ben Powers, who was previously on IR since October with a biceps injury. Emergency quarterback Sam Ehlinger, running back Cody Schrader, cornerback Reese Taylor, linebacker Justin Strnad, offensive tackle Geron Christian, defensive tackle Jordan Jackson, and defensive end Sai’vion Jones were healthy scratches.

The following Jaguars players left Sunday’s game due to injury:

RG Patrick Mekari (back)CB Greg Newsome (shoulder) — returnedCB Montaric Brown — returnedCB Jourdan Lewis (TBD)

Both offenses kicked the day off with quick punts following three-and-outs from both defenses. Following a second consecutive three-and-out by the Jacksonville offense, the Denver offense strung together an 11-play, 61-play drive, assisted by a close fourth down conversion that was unsuccessfully challenged by Liam Coen. However, Denver kicker Will Lutz missed the field goal, doinking it off the right upright. Jacksonville, with great field position, worked its way down the field via a Broncos 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, a 21-yard Parker Washington scramble drill reception from Lawrence.

The 10-play, 66-yard drive was capped by an incredible 12-yard Washington contested catch for Trevor Lawrence’s 30th touchdown of 2025. (Jaguars 7, Broncos 0)

The Denver offense immediately answered with a touchdown drive of its own, a 5-play, 65-yard drive with three of the five snaps being explosive plays (33, 12, and 15 yards). Broncos WR Courtland Sutton beat CB Jourdan Lewis for the slot fade touchdown, using the space to run away from the coverage in the endzone to tie the game. (Jaguars 7, Broncos 7)

The Jaguars’ early offensive struggles continued with the team going backwards on two of the following three snaps, punting back to Denver on fourth-and-26. Anthony Campanilie’s unit held Denver to a 54-yard field goal after giving up a 26-yard catch on the opening drive snap to Broncos WR Marvin Mims. (Jaguars 7, Broncos 10)

With Patrick Mekari in the locker room with a back injury, Walker Little entered the game at right guard, with Cole Van Lanen remaining at left tackle. Like a heavyweight boxing match, Jacksonville returned the challenge with an 8-play, 59-yard, 4:37 touchdown drive to regain the lead with a 35-yard kick return from newly signed RB DeeJay Dallas and a 23-yard catch and run by Brenton Strange.

Travis Etienne began to get going on the ground with a 24-yard rush, with the drive capped by a Strange 3-yard touchdown. (Jaguars 14, Broncos 10)

The Jacksonville defense was helped by two wildly inaccurate throws by Bo Nix, forcing a quick punt with just under two minutes remaining in the half. The Jakobi Meyers, Trevor Lawrence connection began to heat up with the two connecting for 35 yards on two receptions on the 9-play, 58-yard field goal drive to wrap up the first half. (Jaguars 17, Broncos 10)

QB Trevor Lawrence was 13/21 for 130 yards (6.2 YPA), 2 touchdowns, no turnovers, and was sacked three times for 14 yards (111.2 passer rating) at the half. Bo Nix was 11/17 for 153 yards (9.0 YPA) and one touchdown with zero sacks and no turnovers for a 113.1 passer rating. Travis Etienne led Jacksonville running backs with 6 carries for 24 yards (4.0 YPC) and a long of 24 yards.

Score: Jaguars 17, Broncos 10First downs: Jaguars 11, Broncos 9Time of possession: Jaguars 16:40, Broncos 13:20Sacks: Jaguars 3 for 14 yards, Broncos 0Turnovers forced: N/ARushing yards: Jaguars 41, Broncos 52Yards per rush: Jaguars 3.7, Broncos 4.7Passing yards: Jaguars 116, Broncos 153Passing yards per attempt: Jaguars 4.8, Broncos 9.0Redzone: Jaguars 2-2 (100%), Broncos 1-1 (100%)Penalties: Jaguars 0, Broncos 3 for 25 yardsPoints off turnovers: N/A

The Broncos offense began the half with a quick, 4-play, 73-yard touchdown drive after the Jacksonville secondary struggled to complete the tackle on RJ Harvey’s 38-yard touchdown rush. CB Montaric Brown, S Andrew Wingard, and CB Jarrian Jones all failed to get the Broncos RB down. (Jaguars 17, Broncos 17)

Jacksonville benefited from an early roughing the passer penalty on third down, extending the drive. Parker Washington converted the following third-down with a 20-yard reception to enter scoring range.

Following an end zone pass interference on Denver, Lawrence completed the drive, running it in from the one-yard line to take back the lead. (Jaguars 24, Broncos 17)

The Jacksonville defense, following an inspired pep talk from Anthony Campanile, forced another Broncos punt to give the ball right back to the hot Jaguars’ offense, who immediately made the Broncos pay courtesy of Parker Washington (again). Washington split the Denver defenders on third down to turn a five-yard catch into a 63-yard explosive gain, setting Jacksonville up to extend the lead.

On the following play, Etienne extended Jacksonville’s third-quarter lead to 14. (Jaguars 31, Broncos 17)

Emmanuel Ogbah recovered a second down Bo Nix fumble on the following drive. The Denver quarterback lost control during his run-pass-option, attempting to pull the ball away from his running back.

Following the turnover, both teams traded field goals, with the lead remaining at 14. (Jaguars 34, Broncos 20)

Jacksonville went three-and-out on the next series. However, Jarrian Jones gave it right back to the offense with a fourth down interception with the Broncos in scoring range.

The Jacksonville offense punted it back to Denver after elapsing 3:54 of game clock on the six-play drive. The Jacksonville defense, down both Montaric Brown and Jourdan Lewis, forced the turnover on downs to effectively end the matchup. Following an Etienne 11-yard rush to convert the first down at the two minute warning, the domination in Denver was complete.

Montaric Brown recovering to make a play on the ball during a trick play was everything you love to see. Defensive backs will all get beaten. But his recovery and continuing to fight through the whistle was commendable here.

Biggest play(s) of the game:

According to rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Expected Points Added (EPA) was Emannuel Ogbah’s third quarter recovery of a Bo Nix fumble (-5.6 EPA).

Per rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Win Probability was Parker Washington’s third quarter 63-yard catch and run (12% win probability increase).

QB Trevor Lawrence: 23/36 for 279 yards (7.8 YPA), 3 TDs, no turnovers, and a 115.4 passer ratingWR Parker Washington: 6 catches for 145 yards (24.2 YPR), 1 TD, and a long of 63 yards on 10 targetsRB Travis Etienne: 16 carries for 50 yards (3.1 YPC) with a long of 24 yards (4 catches for 16 yards and 1 TD)CB Jarrian Jones: 2 tackles (both solo), an interception, and a sideline Saquon Barley-like hurdleDL BJ Green: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFLCB Montaric Brown: 4 tackles (3 solo), 2 passes defensed, one huge fourth quarter hit on Pat Bryant (Duval Pat)

View the full box score here

Special Teams: RB DeeJay Dallas: 33.3 average kick return with a long of 35 after recently being signedDefense: Anthony Campanile (the entire defense earned this one)Offense: WR Parker Washington: 6 catches for 145 yards (24.2 YPR), 1 TD, and a long of 63 yards on 10 targetsYou can watch the top plays of the Week 16 matchup on the NFL’s YouTube channel here.

1. This Jacksonville squad is for real

This 2025 Jaguars team simply feels different. There’s not quite another way to say it. Early on in the matchup, it seemed that Jacksonville might struggle offensively, with both defenses somewhat making things difficult for Nix and Lawrence. However, as soon as Lawrence, and Nix for that matter, began to find the favorable matchups, the offensive explosion began. Trevor Lawrence was, again, as sharp as we’ve seen him in his career. And despite the running game struggling for much of the day, and just 3 points off turnovers, the offense put up 34 points.

2. The turnovers continue for Campanile’s unit

The Jacksonville defense again forced multiple turnovers on Sunday, with an Emmanuel Ogbah fumble recovery and a Jarrian Jones fourth quarter interception. While they finished the day with just one sack for 8 yards (courtesy of BJ Green), in a big-time playoff atmosphere, Campanile’s unit came ready to play. The Broncos’ rushing game ended with 101 yards on the ground, and Bo Nix finished with an 81.2 passer rating on 47 passing attempts.

3. Parker Washington’s big day

With Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss limiting Brian Thomas Jr and Jakobi Meyers to 4 catches for 45 yards and 2 catches for 18 yards, respectively, Washington exploded on Sunday, often beating Denver’s man coverage for additional yards after the catch to the tune of 145 yards and a whopping 24.2 yards per reception. Liam Coen’s offense again put up a season-high point total against a stout defensive unit — achieving season highs against the Texans (29), Colts (36), Jets (48), and the second-most against the Chargers (35).

With a Colts loss to the 49ers on Monday Night Football, the Jaguars could clinch a playoff birth. Additionally, with Sunday’s victory, the door remains open for Jacksonville to potentially clinch the AFC No. 2 or No. 1 seeds, with one loss from Denver and New England.

What are your thoughts from tonight’s game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most or disappointed you with their play tonight? Let us know in the comments.