Jaguars vs Broncos: Bold Predictions

12/2/2016

The Jaguars return home following a two game road trip. Can they possibly compete with the 7-4 Denver Broncos? Each of our contributing writers provides their Bold Prediction of the week.

PRESENTED BY

Travis Johns - @twjohns97

This week, the Jaguars face reigning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. After weeks of bad play, the Jaguars finally looked solid last week but still couldn’t pull off the win. The Broncos are heavily favored in this game, but could the Jags pull off an upset this week?

Offensively, this game is going to be rough. The Broncos field the best passing defense in the league, but have a massive hole on the team in their run defense. However, the Jags are probably going to fail to take advantage of this and give us another awful ground performance again. Blake has little to no chance of carrying this game or even succeeding without an efficient day from his running backs. Don’t be surprised when we put up less than 300 yards, maybe even less than 280, on Sunday.

On defense, it will be a pretty good game from the Jags against an uninspiring Broncos offense. Trevor Siemian is not a very good QB and will not be able to succeed easily against our pass defense. I think the Jags will ask Jalen Ramsey to cover Demaryius Thomas most of the game and let the team send a safety towards Emmanuel Sanders. The Jags can also stop the run in this game, as Devontae Booker has been abysmal since C.J. Anderson was placed on IR.

So basically, we’re going to have another close loss this week on the back of 3+ offensive turnovers and probably a non-offensive touchdown by Denver. This will be another Jags game that looks closer on the scoreboard than it will ever feel during the game.

Prediction: DEN 24, JAX 17

Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

The Jaguars are playing better seemingly each and every week and are almost always in the game at the end, but they simply can't figure out how not to lose. Against the Bills the defense gave up two big plays that accounted for over 40% of Buffalo's offense on the day. Against the Lions the Jaguars gave up an inexcusable punt return for a TD. Against the Texans Bortles threw a pick six on the opening drive. The Jaguars find different ways to beat themselves every week and cannot overcome the big mistake. And the list goes on and on... The margin of error is incredibly small for the Jaguars if they are to beat the Broncos this week. I firmly believe this team has the talent to beat any team in the NFL including the Denver Broncos, but until they figure out how to put it all together it'd be unwise to pick them against anyone, especially against a Bronco's squad that has only 1 loss outside of their division in 2016. The Jaguars will look the part for most of this one, but they'll figure out a new way to make the big mistake at some point during the game and will come up just short.

Prediction: DEN 19, JAX 16

Cody Rainwater - @_codyrainwater

:The Jaguars face the reigning Super Bowl champs in the 7-4 Denver Broncos this week and it couldn't have come at a worse time as the Jags are on 6 game slide bringing their record to 2-9. The Broncos will be looking to avenge their last week overtime loss to Kansas City, but I do think this has a chance to be a "trap game" for the Broncos and it definitely has some upset potential.

Offensively I believe the focus in this game has to be running the football especially since the Broncos come into Sunday with the 27th ranked run defense, but with both Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon not close to 100% it could be tough sledding. If Ivory or Yeldon can play effectively this week, it will take a little of the pressure off of a struggling Blake Bortles who has to face arguably the best secondary in the league. I do think the Jags try and get the running game going early, and stick with it all game, I just don't see this Broncos front seven bending to much against the lack-luster O-line of this Jaguars team. Defensively, whoever the Broncos have in at QB wether it be Trevor Siemian (who's been out all week with an ankle injury) or the rookie Paxton Lynch, I think the main focus needs to be pressuring the QB. The Broncos don't do anything particularly well on offense ranking just below the middle of the pack in almost every offensive category other than points (14th). I think Malik Jackson plays inspired up front against his former team, eating up running lanes and allowing pass rushers Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue to get to the QB. Corners Prince Amukamara and rookie Jalen Ramsey will be put to the test in coverage this week, along with safety Tashaun Gipson as they face two of the best receivers in the game in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders but I think they play well enough to give the Jaguars a chance. With that being said, aside from running the football, if Blake Bortles can limit the bad plays and refrain from turning the ball over, it's very possible an upset may be on the horizon...I just don't see it.

Prediction: DEN 23, JAX 18

Zach Weeks - @zachweeks11

Playing the defending super bowl champs is something I’m sure the Jaguars coaching staff isn’t taking lightly. I don’t anticipate the Jaguars being successful in this game, based simply upon the matchup between what the Jaguars have struggled with all season and what the Broncos do exceptionally well. The Broncos have a great secondary that can mix up coverage and make athletic plays when turnover-prone quarterbacks make mistakes. For the Jaguars to win, Blake Bortles will have to play his best and most efficient game of the season against one of the best defenses in the NFL. I just don’t see it. Broncos win 24-13

Prediction: DEN 24, JAX 13

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