What to know about Jaguars vs. Broncos in key AFC game in Denver

Jaguars, Broncos both have winning streaks on the line as they square off at Mile High Stadium

Bucs, Panthers clash for top NFC South spot | NFL preview video

Two of the AFC’s top teams clash as he Jaguars visit the Broncos. The Bucs need a win over the Panthers as they are locked in a tight NFC South race.

When: Dec. 21, 4:05 p.m. 

Where: Mile High Stadium, Denver. 

TV: FOX (Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnson, Allison Williams). 

Radio: 1010-XL/92.5-FM (Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Bucky Brooks); 1010-XL/92.5-FM (Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Bucky Brooks); Spanish, 106.7-FM (Javier Carrero, Victor Cora); Sirius XM Channel 814. ; Sirius XM Channel 814.  

Records: Jaguars 10-4, Broncos 12-2.  

What happened last week? 

The Jaguars beat the New York Jets 48-20. The Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers 34-26. 

What are the Jaguars-Broncos odds?  

Denver is a 3-point favorite according to BetMGM, and –160 on the money line. The Jaguars are +135. The over-under is 46.5. 

Who’s injured? 

Jaguars: Out — RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger), DE Danny Striggow (ankle), LB Jalen McLeod (ankle).

Broncos: Out — LB Justin Strnad (foot). Questionable — OG Ben Powers (biceps), LB Karene Reid (hamstring).

What’s the series history between the Jaguars and Broncos?  

Denver holds a 7-6 edge and has won the last two meetings and four of the last five. The only Jaguars victory during that span was 26-24 on Sept. 29, 2019 in Denver, with Josh Lambo making a walk-off 33-yard field goal on the game’s final play.  

What happened the last time the Jaguars played the Broncos?  

Denver won 21-17 on Oct. 30, 2022, at Wembley Stadium in London. Travis Etienne gained 156 yards rushing and scored on a 1-yard run with 3:54 left in the game to give the Jaguars a 17-14 lead but the Broncos went 80 yards in seven plays and Latavius Murray scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with 1:43 remaining.  

What’s the key Jaguars-Broncos matchup?  

Jaguars OT Cole Van Lanen vs. Broncos Edge Nik Bonito 

Van Lanen has played fine football all season at four of the five offensive line positions but has filled in nicely for Walker Little at left tackle and has been instrumental in quarterback Trevor Lawrence not getting sacked in the last two games. 

Denver leads the NFL with 54 sacks and Bonito, a fourth-year player from Oklahoma, leads the Broncos in sacks with 12.5. He is only one sack from equaling his season high of 13.5 in 2024 and he has 35.5 sacks for his career. 

If the Jaguars’ offense is to stay productive, it needs to block Bonito and other Denver pass-rushers and keep Lawrence upright. 

What’s notable about Jaguars vs. Broncos?  

 The Jaguars recent offensive surge during their current five-game winning streak (34.2 points per game) will be tested against the NFL’s fifth-ranked defense in yards allowed and third in scoring defense. … Lawrence, the AFC offensive player of the week last week, is tied for fourth among NFL quarterbacks in combined touchdowns passing and running with 29. … Lawrence needs only one completion to pass Blake Bortles fort he most in franchie history (1,561) and is three TD passes away from moving into second place behind Mark Brunell. … Running back Travis Etienne needs 51 yards for his third 1,000-yard rushing season. … The Jaguars are on target to set franchise records in fewest rushing yards allowed in one season (they’re at 86.3 now) and points scored (42 short of the team record set in 2017). 

Jaguars vs. Broncos by the numbers  

(Per game averages, NFL rank in parentheses) 

Rush offense: Jaguars 120.7 (16), Broncos 119.5 (17)  Rush defense: Jaguars 86.3 (1), Broncos 90.9 (2)  Pass offense: Jaguars 215.0 (18), Broncos 226.0 (11)  Pass defense: Jaguars 222.2 (20), Broncos 196.9 (11)  Total offense: Jaguars 335.7 (16), Broncos 345.5 (11)  Total defense: Jaguars 308.5 (10), Broncos 287.7 (5)  Scoring offense: Jaguars 26.8 (8), Broncos 24.4 (12)  Scoring defense: Jaguars 20.9 (10), Broncos 18.6 (T3)