Jaguars Shock Broncos as Trevor Lawrence Throws AFC Playoff Race Wide Open
What was supposed to be another routine step toward AFC supremacy for the Denver Broncos turned into a statement night for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Riding an 11-game winning streak and eyeing the No. 1 seed, Denver walked into Week 16 with confidence. By the end of the night, that confidence had been shaken, as the Jaguars stormed into Denver and walked away with a convincing 34–20 win that changed the entire playoff picture.
The tone of the game was set by Trevor Lawrence, who looked calm, sharp, and completely in control. It was another performance that quietly reminded everyone why Jacksonville belongs in the Super Bowl conversation. Lawrence completed 23 of 36 passes for 279 yards, tossed three touchdown passes, and avoided turnovers altogether. When the moment called for it, damage was also done with his legs, as he added 20 rushing yards and punched in a fourth touchdown himself.
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Early on, the contest felt tight and competitive. The teams traded scores, and when Denver tied the game at 17–17 early in the third quarter, it looked like the Broncos might grind their way to another win. That was when the game slipped away from them. Jacksonville’s first drive after halftime became the turning point. Helped by key penalties, the Jaguars marched down the field, and Lawrence capped it off with an untouched run into the end zone. From there, momentum belonged entirely to Jacksonville.
Denver tried to respond, but mistakes began to pile up. A quick three-and-out was followed by another Jaguars touchdown, and then came the turnovers. A botched handoff resulted in a fumble that was quickly turned into points by Jacksonville. Later, a forced throw near the sideline was intercepted, effectively sealing the outcome. The Jaguars finished the night with a clean advantage in takeaways, and that difference told the story.
Bo Nix still put up numbers, throwing for over 350 yards, but the errors proved costly. Against a disciplined Jaguars defense, every mistake was punished. Meanwhile, Jacksonville stayed composed, efficient, and opportunistic on both sides of the ball.
With the win, the Jaguars improved to 11–4 and threw the AFC’s playoff race into chaos. Denver still sits atop the conference, but the margin for error has shrunk. The Chargers, Bills, Patriots, and even the Texans remain in striking distance, and the once-clear path to the No. 1 seed now looks crowded.
More than anything, this game felt like a message. The Jaguars didn’t just beat a contender on the road; they controlled the game when it mattered most. If they weren’t being taken seriously before, that luxury is gone now.
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