The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos meet in Week 2 with both teams needing a win. The Jaguars won their opener against the Cleveland Browns, while the Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the winner avoiding a 0-2 start.
Here are the five matchups that will decide it.
Wide Receivers Against the Secondary
The Jaguars showed a deep receiving corps in their first game, with Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Josh Cameron all contributing. That group will face a tougher test in Denver.
Patrick Surtain II leads the Broncos’ secondary, with Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian joining him. If the Jaguars can match their performance against the Browns, it shows the offense is explosive. If they struggle, questions will follow.
Offensive Line Against the Pass Rush
Jacksonville’s offensive line has been dealing with injuries throughout the offseason. Against Cleveland, the unit performed well enough. Against Denver, the threat is far greater.
Nik Bonitto had 14 sacks last season and posted among the league’s best pass-rush win rates. Trevor Lawrence can scramble, but he cannot do it all day. The line will need to protect him from constant pressure.
Pass Rush Against Bo Nix
On the other side, the Jaguars’ pass rush dominated Cleveland, recording five sacks. That unit is led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
Bo Nix was under constant pressure against Kansas City, but the Broncos should not be dismissed on one bad game. Their offensive line is among the best in the league. Hines-Allen and Walker will need to find the same holes again.
Running Backs Against the Run Defense
Denver had a weakness last week: its run defense. The Jaguars want to prove their running back room can still function without Travis Etienne, who has been questioned throughout the offseason.
Kenneth Walker III ran for 173 yards against the Broncos. Even a fraction of that production would help. A steady running game opens up the playbook for Liam Coen and creates chances in the pass game for Lawrence. That makes an already dangerous offense harder to stop.
Linebackers and Safeties Against Evan Engram
Evan Engram was the only Broncos player to score a touchdown against Kansas City. He is a fast, athletic tight end who runs routes like a wide receiver.
The Jaguars are without Devin Lloyd, so proving their linebacker room is adequate is a priority. Foyesade Oluokun and Ventrell Miller will need to be disruptive at the line of scrimmage and in passing lanes. Safeties Antonio Johnson and Eric Murray will need to use their athleticism, especially Johnson’s size and length, to cover Engram.
Key Numbers From the Matchups
- Broncos’ Nik Bonitto: 14 sacks last season
- Broncos’ offensive line: among the league’s best
- Jaguars’ pass rush: five sacks against Cleveland
- Kenneth Walker III: 173 rushing yards against Denver
- Evan Engram: only Broncos player to score against Kansas City
Game Information
| Team | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jaguars | Broncos | 1 p.m. ET |
What This Game Means
Avoiding a 0-2 start would be a statement for the Broncos after their embarrassing loss to the Chiefs.
The Jaguars are looking to prove they are legitimate playoff contenders. A 2-0 start would back that up.
Our Call on the Matchups
Each matchup carries weight for both sides. The Broncos need to prove they are better than their first-week showing. The Jaguars need to show they can overcome injuries and execute against a tough opponent.
The game will come down to how each team handles its biggest tests. The Jaguars need their offensive line to hold up against Bonitto. They need their pass rush to disrupt Nix. They need their running game to find steady success. They need their linebackers and safeties to cover Engram.
The Broncos need to fix their run defense. They need to protect Nix. They need to slow down the Jaguars’ dynamic passing attack.
This is a game with real stakes. It is a chance for one team to answer questions and a chance for the other to avoid a repeat of last season’s start.
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