The Denver Broncos don’t just sit atop the AFC West — they own the best record in the entire NFL at 12–2 and are quickly becoming one of the league’s most serious playoff threats. This Sunday, Denver hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars in a matchup that could officially secure their postseason privilege position. Here at PayPerHead, you’ll find our Jaguars vs Broncos prediction and everything you need to know before kickoff.
How to Watch Jaguars vs. Broncos
- Date: Sunday, December 21
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: FOX
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High
Jaguars vs. Broncos Matchup Analysis
Denver can lock up the AFC’s top seed with a win over Jacksonville, combined with a few favorable results elsewhere, a scenario very few would have predicted at the start of the season, especially in a division that included the Chiefs (eliminated) and Chargers. Consistency has been the Broncos’ calling card, and now they’re chasing a 12th straight victory with momentum fully on their side.
One quirky wrinkle in this matchup: penalties. The Broncos rank second in penalties. Jacksonville ranks first. The Jaguars have racked up 117 penalties, accounting for nearly 1,000 yards of self-inflicted damage. That lack of discipline could swing this game in either direction — opening the door to a high-scoring affair or completely stalling drives at key moments, with little room for a middle ground
Quarterbacks on Opposite Trajectories
Trevor Lawrence’s season has been the definition of volatility. Just last week against the Jets, he delivered one of his best performances of the year, totaling six touchdowns and 330 yards without a turnover. But four weeks earlier, against Arizona, he unraveled — committing four turnovers, including three interceptions born from poor decision-making.
Denver, meanwhile, has found unexpected stability in Bo Nix. The sophomore quarterback is completing 63.5% of his passes for 3,256 yards and 23 touchdowns, quietly putting together one of the more impressive QB seasons in the conference. Last Sunday may have been his finest showing yet, throwing four touchdown passes to four different receivers — a performance that highlights not only Nix’s growth, but also the flexibility Sean Payton has built into his offense.
Who Wins Jaguars vs. Broncos? Final Pick
As the regular season winds down, the outlook clearly favors Denver, and most projections point toward another Broncos win. Still, Jacksonville arrives with real momentum, riding a five-game winning streak and holding a 10–4 lead atop the AFC South — though the Texans remain close behind at 9–5. A road win here could give the Jaguars critical breathing room heading into the final three weeks.
Our prediction at PayPerHead for this game: Jaguars 13-15 Broncos.
