JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Col., in a 2025 Week 16 game Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Oh-so meaningful. A primary goal entering the first season of this new Jaguars regime was to play meaningful December football. The '25 Jaguars have done that to a remarkable degree, with Sunday's game against the AFC West-leading Broncos (12-2) their first between teams six games over .500 – and their first between 10-victory teams – since the 13-1 Jaguars lost to the 11-3 Tennessee Titans, 33-14, in December 1999. This is hardly the Jaguars' first big December game this season, with Sunday coming two weeks after the 8-4 Jaguars' victory over the 8-4 Indianapolis Colts moved the Jaguars into sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Sunday is enormous. with the Jaguars (10-4) having a chance to move to within a game of the Broncos for the AFC's top seed – and needing to win to stay ahead of the Houston Texans (9-5) in the division. This mix of opportunity and danger gives Sunday a nervous, exciting feel – and that's what makes meaningful December football so meaningful. And so fun.
2. Growing on the fly. The Jaguars' 10-4 start has been remarkable in multiple ways, perhaps none more so than their ability to essentially change their lineup for the better during the season – an ability that now defines this remarkable season. One example: Offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, who has started at four offensive line positions and has emerged as a possible starter the rest of the regular season. See, too, the emergence of cornerback Montaric Brown, who has solidified himself as a starter and who has minimized the midseason loss of rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. Defensive ends Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II have emerged as significant contributors after being inactive early in the season. But the most striking example is at wide receiver, a position that has been completely overhauled since the start of the regular season with Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington emerging as perhaps the most critical, reliable members of the group. Meyers was acquired in a midseason trade with the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington played his way into a go-to role after being the fourth receiver in training camp. Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone spoke during training camp about great teams continuing to build during the season. The Jaguars have done just that to a remarkable degree.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. There is a quiet confidence about this team. The Jaguars have beaten bad teams this season and really good ones. They've won in overtime twice, and the last two weeks outscored the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets by an average of more than three touchdowns. So, it's really no big deal that they're headed to Denver to face the AFC's current No. 1 seed, a team that has won 12 consecutive home games. The Jaguars have the same calm demeanor this week as last week, when they were preparing to face one of the NFL's worst teams. "Every game at this point of the year is big," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Wednesday. "When we played the Colts, everybody was talking about how big that game was, too. We just came out and did our job, and we were able to play well and execute and win the game. It's going to be no different this weekend. Our job is to go out there, prepare, put a great plan together and try to go execute better than the Broncos for 60 minutes and go win the game."
2. Their chemistry is quite a bit louder. You can't help but notice it in practice. This team understands what it takes to prepare and what Head Coach Liam Coen wants. To watch as the Jaguars run a play, discuss it, then adjust is very telling. They're working together at a high level and taking advantage of the rest Coen gives them by really dialing in on the details. That doesn't happen with every team. These guys are not just enjoying being 10-4 in a big game Sunday. They enjoy one another. They're the same in the locker room. These guys are bought in. When everyone is working in the same direction with the same effort you have something special. It's going to be fun to watch Sunday in Denver.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. It's like looking in the mirror. While they won't take the field at the same time in Denver, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Lawrence will be the matchup I watch intently this week. Born months apart, they have had markedly different football journeys. Nix is entering his second season in Denver and is headed for the playoffs once again. We're all well versed in Lawrence's highs and lows over the last five years, but it's clear Lawrence is playing his best football right now. If you consult the season statistics, you'll see more than a few similarities between the two. Both have thrown for approximately 3,200 yards and 23 touchdowns. Their quarterback ratings are eerily close, with Nix's 89.7 edging Lawrence's 87.9. It won't come down to stats in this matchup, but whichever quarterback dictates the flow of the game in the fourth quarter may secure their team a victory.
2. The running back room sees an addition and another possible "next man up." With rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten potentially out multiple games with a finger injury, the Jaguars added veteran DeeJay Dallas this week to help bolster the group while Tuten works his way back. Tuten has been the main kick returner and has also seen a solid amount of carries this season as the backup to running back to Travis Etienne Jr. I expect Dallas will fill in immediately on kick returns. I also expect a bigger role for rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. who has mainly served as a third-down back but who has shined when given opportunities.