How Trevor Lawrence ‘balled out’ against top Denver Broncos defense

THE Denver Broncos suffered an agonizing defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

There was a stark difference in play between quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Bo Nix in the game.

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Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass against the Denver BroncosCredit: Reuters

Bo Nix unloads a pass against the Jacksonville JaguarsCredit: Getty

Lawrence absolutely balled out, carving up the Broncos’ top defense for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Nix had a low completion percentage while turning the ball over.

The Broncos still own the No. 1 seed, but this loss could be a sign of things to come in the playoffs.

Will the Broncos be a one-and-done in the playoffs? Are the Jaguars now the favorites in the AFC?

Those questions and more were answered on this week’s episode of The U.S. Sun Sport’s Football Xs and Os.

FLORIDA DREAM

The Jaguars established control of this game thanks to an incredible effort from Lawrence.

He looks better every week and could lead the Jaguars on a deep playoff run.

“I saw composure against a really good defense,” NFL expert David Scott said.

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“He [Lawrence] was making the right reads, good decisions, he was calm in the pocket, he wasn’t getting antsy when the pressure was on him.

“And that resulted in three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.”

Nix’s performance was a stark contrast to Lawrence’s.

While he threw for 350 yards, anyone who actually watched the game saw Nix having a terrible performance.

“He looked really bad out there,” Scott said.

“He was missing easy reads, there were open guys that he wasn’t even looking for.

“He was throwing into double coverage.”

WASH AND GO

The Jaguars scored their first touchdown of the day late in the first quarter thanks to a connection with Parker Washington.

Washington ran a fade route into the left side of the end zone, and simply turned around to the ball waiting there for him.

Despite being blanketed by his cornerback, Washington was able to secure the catch thanks to an accurate football from Lawrence.

“That throw was really nice,” host Ryan Sanudo said.

“Throughout the day that kind of play was happening for Lawrence.”

This play was just the start of a stellar day for Washington.

He hauled in six of 10 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.

His longest reception went for 63 yards.

POT OF GOLD

The Broncos quickly answered the Washington touchdown with a score of their own.

On the 15-yard line, Nix took a page out of the Jaguars’ book by finding Courtland Sutton on a goal-line fade.

Instead of making it a back-shoulder throw, though, Nix threw over the shoulder into the back of the end zone.

It was an easy reception for Sutton, but it wasn’t an easy throw for Nix.

He faced heavy pressure and was forced to throw off his back foot for the touchdown.

“Being able to throw accurately and on time while off your back foot is very impressive,” Scott said.

“We didn’t see much of that impressive sort of stuff as the game went on. This is Nix’s one touchdown pass.”

STRANGER THINGS

At this point, the Broncos had taken a 10-7 lead thanks to a Will Lutz field goal.

The Jaguars needed a score to stay in the game, and Brenton Strange stepped up to the occasion.

With the ball on the three-yard line, he lined up near the offensive linemen as a blocker, but slowly leaked out towards the sideline.

From there, Lawrence fired a seed to the outside, forcing Strange to catch the ball one-handed while keeping his feet in bounds.

“Really impressive from Strange, a guy who doesn’t get the ball too much,” Scott said.

“And Lawrence finding him in a short window on the sideline, really impressive play from both parties.”

Strange finished the day with five receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.

BREAK IT DOWN

There are only two games left in the NFL regular season, but the AFC playoff picture is still a bit murky.

Five teams could end up with the No. 1 seed.

“At this point, there is a little bit of contention for the one seed,” Scott said.

“After this win the Jaguars are right in it. The Chargers are right in it. Let’s not count out the Texans.”

The Broncos still hold the No. 1 seed, but can they win out to secure it? And how will they fare in the playoffs if they don’t end the season strong?

Despite being 12-4, there are many question marks surrounding the Broncos.

“My confidence in them is at an all-time low,” Scott said.

At this point, only the Broncos and New England Patriots have clinched a playoff spot in the AFC.

The final five spots will be divided between the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Jaguars, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Los Angeles Chargers.

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