JACKSONVILLE – Another December week, another Jaguars game that matters.

And this one matters a lot.

The AFC South-leading Jaguars (10-4) on Sunday will play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (12-2) at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Col. It's a game with significant playoff implications – and one of the AFC's biggest games of the season.

It's a matchup of two of the NFL's hottest and best teams, with the Broncos entering Sunday with an 11-game winning streak that has them within a victory of a division title and the Jaguars on a 5-game winning streak that has them a game ahead of the Houston Texans in the South.

It's an opportunity for a Jaguars team that has spoken recently of recognition and respect to earn those things, a chance to show again what they have shown all season – that they are a strong team capable of a postseason run.

It's also something of a high-wire game for the Jaguars, who can move to within a game of the top seed in the AFC with a victory – and who could be in second place in their division with a loss.

This is what meaningful football in December means. The Jaguars are back there after a 1-season absence, and they can reach their longest single-season regular-season winning streak since 1999 with a victory. Winning also would put them in position for 1 of the best regular seasons in franchise history.

This is yet another big game for team that's playing in a lot of those these days.

Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do to win it:

1. Run. This remains No. 1 and will stay that way. The Jaguars were pass-centric in a 48-20 victory over the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium Sunday. But that was largely because the Jets took away the run. This is at its core a run-centric team and is at its best when it's running well.
2. Protect the passer. The Jaguars haven't allowed a sack in the last 2 games. The Broncos lead the NFL in sacks and thrive on disrupting the quarterback. There may be no bigger matchup Sunday than this one.
3. Handle the crowd. The Jaguars are 4-2 on the road this season, but December at Mile High in front of a Broncos crowd that hasn't had many games this big in a while will be the Jaguars' toughest venue test this season to date. The Broncos are tough at home. That doesn't mean they're unbeatable. Good teams go do this.
4. Be physical. When the Jaguars are the more physical team, they usually win. Sunday's a monster game. Look for the Jaguars to be as physical as they have been all season.
5. Keep letting it rip. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has played with more confidence – and more effectively – since Head Coach Liam Coen began counseling him privately and publicly to "let it rip." That message was about Coen having confidence in Lawrence, confidence rewarded with perhaps the best stretch of Lawrence's career. If Lawrence plays as he has in recent weeks, the Jaguars are dangerous. Very dangerous.
6. Contain Nix. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is at his best when making plays above the Xs and Os. The Jaguars must pressure him, but they also must keep him in the pocket.
7. Stop the run. This has been the Jaguars' No. 1 pillar defensively all season. They weren't as strong here as usual against the Jets. The Jaguars must be strong here in what feels likely to be a 1-score game decided in the fourth quarter.
8. Take the ball away. The Jaguars are second in the NFL in takeaways – and after a registering 4 in 6-game midseason stretch, they have 8 in the last 3 weeks. They have 6 games with 3 or more takeaways this season. Getting that number Sunday will be tough, but getting 1 or 2 is critical. Getting 1 that sets up a momentum-changing score may be necessary, too.
9. Limit Sutton. Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a big-time experienced player used to making big plays at big moments. The Jaguars must keep him from mattering in what likely will be a close fourth quarter.
10. Seize the moment The Jaguars have talked about respect for the past several weeks. Beating the top-seeded Broncos will earn it. Some NFL games are storyline-changers and season-definers. This is one of those.