Jaguars vs Broncos: Keys To Victory

12/3/2016

The Jaguars are set to host the 7-4 Broncos this Sunday. How can the possibly pull off the upset? We've got you covered.

By Zach Weeks

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The Denver Broncos aren’t the same team that won the Super Bowl last season and they certainly aren’t the same defense that stifled Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense.

1.Get the run game going. This is the most important point by far. More than likely, the Jaguars are going to have trouble passing the football against easily the best secondary we have seen this season. What that means is that we are going to have to rely on the Jaguars 24th ranked run offense, which averages 96 yards per game, to carry us to victory. The good news is, it can definitely be done. The Jaguars will be without running back Chris Ivory due to a hamstring injury, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Broncos are ranked 27th in run defense and have allowed a hundred yard rusher in two of their last four games. We just have to hope that TJ Yeldon and Denard Robinson come ready to play.

2. Confuse and Contain Paxton Lynch: The Jaguars wield the fourth ranked pass defense in the NFL but struggle with forcing turnovers, which is a necessary component in securing victories. Our top-5 passing defense is matched up with a rookie quarterback and it is imperative that we win the matchup in the passing game. First, we need to make sure that our defense is challenging Paxton Lynch to be accurate all over the field, make the right reads and not allow him to make easy throws. Our defensive line is going to be challenged in different ways than if Trevor Siemian had been starting. Paxton Lynch is a tall, athletic quarterback that can hurt us with his legs if we lose contain, but we did a good job last week against Tyrod Taylor in that same regard, so it’s definitely something we can accomplish. It’s time for Todd Wash and Gus Bradley to get creative and force the rookie to make enough mistakes to help the Jaguars steal a win at home.

3. Von Miller vs. The Jaguars offensive line. I’m truly nervous about this matchup. I anticipate the Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has some special things planned for Jeremy Parnell, who is a liability against even the most mildly talented defensive ends. What we’re going to have to resort to as an offense, because of the Broncos defensive line and their athletes in the secondary, is an extremely efficient offense based in the run game. When we do pass, Bortles is going to have to read the defense quickly and make on time, accurate throws, something he’s had obvious struggles with so far this season. Normally, I’d make a specific point about playing a game without turnovers and emphasize the need for the Jaguars to limit penalty yardage, but why beat a dead horse, right?

Despite all the negativity swirling about in the Jaguars organization, I feel that the quality of play of our team has been trending upward in recent weeks. I’d love to see the Jaguars get a big win at home. Above all, Go Jags.

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