JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2026 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 20-13 Week 2 loss to the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo.

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars dropped a winnable road game against a playoff contender. Despite controlling the game for nearly three quarters, the Jaguars faltered when it mattered, lacking poise and playmaking in the clutch. The offense could not string together first downs or score to extend the lead, and the defense failed to get off the field on several third-down situations. With special teams also crashing out with critical miscues and blunders, the Jaguars gift-wrapped the game to the Broncos instead of walking out of Empower Field at Mile High with a hard-fought win that could have sparked an early-season run.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• Competitive NFL games are often decided by turnovers and big plays. The teams that win dominate those areas because they are critical to putting points on the board. The Jaguars lost their first game of the season because they gave up too many big plays on defense (the Broncos had four runs of 10 or more yards and six passes of at least 20 yards) and turned it over at the end of the third quarter, flipping the game's momentum. Additionally, the Jaguars' inability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball kept them from playing on their terms and exposed some of the squad's vulnerabilities. Without an effective pass rush, the Jaguars had to blitz more, leaving their defensive backs in too many isolated matchups against superior personnel. Offensively, the Broncos' ferocious pass rush overwhelmed the Jaguars' offensive line at times, leading to inconsistent play from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the pocket.

TREVOR'S TIME

• The Jaguars' franchise quarterback couldn't play at his best because of constant harassment from the Broncos' pass rush and airtight perimeter coverage. The chaotic defensive approach disrupted Lawrence's rhythm and timing, leading to more off-target throws from the sixth-year pro. Additionally, the Jaguars' playmakers' inability to create separation or come down with 50-50 balls made it hard for the quarterback to string together completions or convert a handful of pivotal third downs. While some observers will blame Lawrence for failing to deliver in the clutch, the Broncos' dominance over his supporting cast was too much for him to overcome.

UNSUNG HERO

• Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington posted his fifth consecutive game with at least 80 receiving yards. The shifty pass catcher found plenty of room between the hashes early against the Broncos' sticky coverage. Although he was kept in check in the second half with only one catch for 18 yards, the fourth-year veteran continues to shine as the Jaguars' most reliable pass-catching threat.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars couldn't control the game because of the Broncos' front-line dominance. The offensive line struggled against the speed, strength and power of the Broncos' defensive line, leading to constant pressure in Lawrence's face. Despite the stat line showing only two sacks allowed, the persistent harassment and cumulative punishment changed how Lawrence operated in the pocket. On the perimeter, the Jaguars' pass catchers struggled against the Broncos' sticky coverage, leading to too many tight-window throws. With the wide receivers and tight ends failing to come down with contested catches, the offense couldn't sustain drives in the second half, allowing the Broncos to creep back into the contest.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars couldn't impose their will on the Broncos on Sunday. Despite some impressive flashes and goal-line stands, the defense struggled against Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Co. when it mattered most. The pass rush was nonexistent for most of the day until Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile dialed up some blitzes to rattle the young quarterback, but the over-reliance on the blitz backfired when the Jaguars couldn't hold up in man coverage on the outside. Struggles at the line of scrimmage and in the secondary created a dilemma for the aggressive play caller in key moments. If the Jaguars sat back and played with a four-man rush, Nix had too much time and surgically picked apart the zone. If the Jaguars brought the heat, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and others won their one-on-one matchups and delivered big play after big play on the perimeter. With the Jaguars' defense unable to play the game on their terms, the Broncos eventually took over in the second half and stole the game in the fourth quarter.