The Denver Broncos host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday for their Week 2 matchup. Coming off a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos are trying to rectify what all went wrong and be at their best to go up against a well-coached Jacksonville team.
Last season, the Broncos had one of the best defenses in the National Football League. Few teams gave them major issues, but the Jaguars were one of them. Led by Trevor Lawrence, their offense scored 34 points against the Broncos—the most of any opponent. They had 346 yards of total offense and amassed a whopping 22 first downs. But where they really excelled was on third down, completing over 50-percent of their attempts.
Today after practice, Head Coach Sean Payton had high praise for Lawrence and how formidable their offense has become under Liam Coen.
“They’re doing a great job. He’s got a big arm. All of the things we saw when he came out as a high draft pick. These big quarterbacks who can move and he’s one of them, to the right, to the left. If you get caught in a man defense and you’re not rushing properly, he can pick up eight yards on a third-and-four easily. Then just the surrounding cast, you can tell they’ve been together. They’re confident in what they’re doing,” stated Payton.
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 21: Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on during a game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Under Coen’s leadership, Jacksonville jumped from 26th in points scored in 2024 to being sixth in the NFL in 2025. They went from a four-win team in ‘24 to one that won thirteen games just a season ago. Their transformation on offense played a big part in that. This season, they started off strong with an impressive victory over the Cleveland Browns where Lawrence was able to score four touchdowns.
Denver has to find a way to limit Lawrence’s impact on the game. Though he isn’t the only player they have to take notice of. The Jaguars have a talented core of skill positions players that all offer unique skill sets. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph offered his thoughts on their offense and who they will need to slow down in order to achieve a victory.
“I thought Trevor from mid-season last year to now; he’s playing like a Top 5 guy. He has a bunch of weapons. The runner Bhayshul Tuten is very explosive. He’s a 4.3 guy, but he runs hard. He has this compact body, so again the tackle surface is very minimal. You need hats to the ball. Your eyes have to be right when you’re tackling backs like that,” stated Joseph.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 13: Bhayshul Tuten #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball during the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns on September 13, 2026 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A fourth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tuten earned the starting role this offseason after Travis Etienne’s departure to the New Orleans Saints. Appearing in fifteen games as a rookie, Tuten notched 386 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns. In the season opener against Cleveland, he had 16 total touches for 88 yards and five first downs. He also forced seven missed tackles—something the Broncos can’t afford to let happen again this week.
In addition to Tuten, Joseph mentioned several of their wide receivers who stood out to him last year and while watching film.
“Parker Washington came on really late last year against us and kind of moved forward to be a real guy as a punt returner and as a receiver. He’s playing well. Jakobi Meyers is playing well as a blocker, a receiver, screen game, all those things he’s doing well. It’s going to be a challenge schematically, and to win some one-on-ones and to obviously tackle better.”
Washington had six receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos last December. It was one of the best games of his career. In turn, it was one of the worst for nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian who struggled to combat Washington’s speed and ability at the line of scrimmage. Finding a way to limit Washington’s big play ability is essential for the Broncos on Sunday.
Make no mistake, Broncos Country—the Jaguars are a very good team. Denver will have to be at their best to forego starting their ‘26 gridiron campaign 0-2.