Published September 18, 2026 7:00am
Friday Faceoff: Is Sunday’s visit from the Jacksonville Jaguars a must-win game for the Broncos?
Paul Klee, sports editor
Answer: No doubt about it
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What, us overreact?
Not usually. That’s small-market stuff. It’s only Week 2 of a long NFL season.
Then you see what’s coming next for the Broncos: Jaguars (13-4 last season), Rams (12-5), 49ers (12-5), Chargers (11-6), Seahawks (14-3). Their combined record a year ago: 62-23. Gulp.
Apparently Joe Montana’s 49ers and Tom Brady’s Patriots were unavailable.
Kansas City was the only opponent among Denver’s first six that didn’t make the playoffs. You saw what the Chiefs did on Monday night.
Why is Sunday’s visit from the Jaguars so important for Denver’s Super Bowl dreams? It’s the last time until Week 7 the Broncos will be favored to win a game, according to oddsmakers. That’s no joke.
The Chiefs sure looked like they are all the way back — and then some.
Empower Field at Mile High is all the way back, too. The Broncos last season went 8-1 in the friendly confines, a sure sign they’ve regained one of the league’s most influential home-field advantages.
Shoot, even the third preseason game was almost a packed house. Greg Penner and Co.’s greatest accomplishment in four years of ownership is building a bond with Broncos Country.
Expect some serious crowd noise when Trevor Lawrence takes the field Sunday.
Broncos fans are a lot of things. One is impatient. If the Jags jump out to an early lead to grab momentum, there will be boos.
And that’s no way to continue a schedule with no breathing room.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor
Answer: No
A Broncos win on Sunday against the Jaguars would calm a lot of nerves in Broncos Country.
But is the game a must-win? Not quite.
While the odds of winning the Super Bowl after a 0-2 start are not good, as just three teams have done it (1993 Cowboys, 2001 Patriots, and 2007 Giants), these Broncos are good at bouncing back from slow starts.
Bo Nix’s rookie season started 0-2 and Denver went on to make the playoffs. Last season, the Broncos started 1-2 and then went on a run to the AFC Championship Game.
Sean Payton’s group hasn’t panicked in the past. Don’t expect them to this season either.
There are plenty of concerning stats if the Broncos do lose Sunday. Since 1990, only 35 of 288 0-2 teams (12.2%) have made the postseason and 19 have won a division title (6.6%), according to NFL.com.
But these Broncos aren’t worried about past numbers. They are comfortable with who they are. Unfortunately, they are a team that starts slowly and picks it up as the weather gets chillier.
A win would be great after being smacked by the Chiefs and with the upcoming schedule, but the Broncos are a confident group so a loss will not derail their season.