DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 21: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field At Mile High on December 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Broncos won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half.
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense started with the ball at their own 29 yard line. Jonathon Cooper pressured Lawrence on his first pass attempt and he had to throw it away. On 3rd and 6, Riley Moss sacked Lawrence as he tried to climb the pocket and the defense forced a quick 3 and out!
Broncos offense went to work at their own 8 yard line but the result was similar as the Broncos went 3 and out, including a false start penalty, and would effectively make it difficult to keep the drive moving. Crawshaw's punt would give Jacksonville a start for their second drive at their own 41 yard line.
Facing a 3rd and 8, John Franklin-Meyers sacked Trevor Lawrence as he tried to climb the pocket and the Jaguars, once again, went 3-and-out and punted it back to the Broncos. Second drive would start at the Denver 13 yard line with 9:44 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Jaleel McLaughlin burst through the line for a 16 yard gain to get the first 1st down of the day. Facing a 4th and 1 from their own 38 yard line, RJ Harvey JUST got the 1st down yardage to keep the drive moving. Courtland Sutton caught a 17 yard pass and then a 14 yard pass to quickly get the Broncos in Jaguars territory at their 30 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 9, Nice completed a short pass to McLaughlin and he can't quite get to the marker. Wil Lutz missed his 44 yard field goal attempt and so the promising Broncos drive ended with nothing.
Jaguars started from their own 26 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 9, Lawrence was able to find Washington for a 21 yard gain and get into Denver territory. Jacksonville false started but PJ Locke couldn't hear the whistle and was tagged with roughing the passer extending the Jags drive into the Red Zone. A few plays later, Trevor Lawrence hit Washington in the left front of the end zone for the 1st score of the game. Jags lead 7-0 with 7 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter.
On the first play of the next Broncos drive, Nix hit Engram on a deep crosser and he took it up field for a 33 yard gain into Jacksonville territory. Bo Nix on a designed run got another 1st down and the worked into the Red Zone. Facing a 3rd and 5 from the 15 yard line, Bo Nix through a fade right to Sutton who caught it for a Broncos touchdown! Game tied up 7-7 with 12:46 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Jacksonville started their next drive at their own 28 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 15, Malcolm Roach flew up field to sack Lawrence and the Jaguars went 3 and out for the 3rd time and were forced to punt. Broncos offense started their next drive from their own 31 yard line. Nix hit Mims for a 26 yard gain to kickstart the drive but the drive would stall at the Jags 34 yard line. Wil Lutz converted a 54 yard field goal to give the Broncos their first lead of the game 10-7 with 9:10 remaining in the 1st half.
Jaguars had their best starting field position of the game at their own 41 and got an initial first down at midfield. Lawrence then hit Brenton Strange for 23 yards to get near the Red Zone. Travis Etienne took a carry down to the Denver 3 yard line for 24 yards and then Lawrence found Brenton Strange on the left side of the end zone for a Jags touchdown. Jacksonville back in front 14-10 with 4:33 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Broncos offense started from their own 24 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 2, Nix hit RJ Harvey down the left sideline for 15 yards to get to midfield. Facing a 3rd and 4 on the other side of the 2 minute warning, Bo Nix pass to Bryant was behind him and the Broncos were forced to punt. Jaguars started their drive at the 13 yard line with 1:48 remaining in the 1st half.
Jacksonville methodically moved down the field into FG range and Cam Little converted a 47 yarder to extend the lead 17-10 at halftime.
Broncos offense started with the ball out of halftime at their own 27 yard line. Initially it looked like the Broncos might be facing a 3rd and long but a defensive hold gave the Broncos an initial first down. Nix hit Lil'Jordan Humphrey for another 1st down and then a personal foul penalty got the offense into Jaguars territory. From the 39 yard line, RJ Harvey broke FOUR tackles on his way to a HUGE Broncos touchdown. Tie game 17-17 with 13:01 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Jacksonville started with the ball at their own 25 yard line. Malcolm Roach was called for a garbage roughing the passer to advance the ball into Denver territory. On 3rd and 9, it seemed like the clock ran out but refs refused to call it and Lawrence converted the first down to Washington. Jags word near the Red Zone and then a questionable DPI against Barron gave them a 1st and goal at the 1. Lawrence took it in for a walk in touchdown. Jags went back in front 24-17 with 7:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Broncos offense got an initial first down on a 15 yard completion to RJ Harvey to midfield. They attempted a trick play pass to Sutton but he couldn't hold on and then a couple plays later, the Broncos would punt it back to the Jaguars who would start at their own 20 after a touchback with 6:03 remaining in the 3rd.
On 3rd and 3, Lawrence hit PJ Washington on the right side and he broke a tackle and took it all the way down to the Broncos 10 yard line and on the next play Trevor hit Etienne on the left side and he high stepped into the end zone for another touchdown. Jaguars lead 31-17 with 3:56 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Broncos now in a big hole, got an initial first down on a completion to Pat Bryant and then to the 38 yard line with Trautman but a fumbled exchange with McLaughlin gave the ball to Jacksonville who took advantage of the opportunity. Working all way inside the 10 yard line, Riley Moss was able to break up the pass in the end zone for force a big field goal, extending the lead 34-17 with 13:36 remaining in the game.
The Broncos offense NEEDED points and they were able to get a huge play to Troy Franklin for 48 yards to get inside the Red Zone. The drive stalled inside the 5 yard line and the Broncos were forced to take a chip shot field goal, pulling within 14 points.
Broncos defense did their job on the next drive and forced a quick 3 and out including a JFM sack on 3rd down but unfortunately, the offense couldn't do much with it as Bo threw an interception on a 4th down attempt near midfield. Jags took over at their 30. Their drive would stall at their 46 yard line but they were able to work the clock. Broncos offense got the ball back at their 20 yard line with 4:14 remaining in the game.
Broncos would go on to lose 34-20 and have their 11 game winning streak snapped. Broncos next game is a quick turnaround as they will be in Kansas City this Thursday night for a Christmas game vs the Chiefs. Coverage on KOA starts at 12pm.
Below are the postgame interviews with Bo Nix and Malcolm Roach
