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Game Preview Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 16 features a critical AFC showdown as the Denver Broncos travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 21. Both teams are fighting for playoff survival, with Jacksonville looking to stay atop the AFC South and Denver hoping to sneak into a wild card spot.
These teams bring contrasting styles—Denver relies on defense and efficient quarterback play, while Jacksonville leans on aggressive passing and playmaking from its young core. Bettors can expect a tight matchup with postseason implications on the line.
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Odds and Key Information
- Spread: Jaguars -2
- Total: 42.5
- Moneyline: Broncos +110, Jaguars -130
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
The Jaguars opened as slight home favorites with moderate support. Weather should not play a major role, but red zone efficiency will be critical. Updated betting data can be tracked at the NFL betting guide.
Denver Broncos Outlook
The Denver Broncos enter this game at 8-6, coming off a strong second-half surge under Sean Payton. Quarterback Russell Wilson has limited turnovers while relying on short-to-intermediate accuracy. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy lead a receiving corps that’s shown flashes but lacks consistency.
Denver’s real strength lies in its defense. The Broncos rank in the top five in opponent third-down conversion rate and red zone stops. Linebacker Alex Singleton has been a tackling machine, while the secondary, led by Pat Surtain II, has limited explosive plays.
The offense is methodical, averaging 22.1 points per game, but their margin for error remains small. For more team-specific betting edges, follow updates in the NFL picks section.
Jacksonville Jaguars Outlook
The Jacksonville Jaguars are also 8-6 and lead the AFC South thanks to a tiebreaker advantage. Trevor Lawrence is completing over 66% of his passes, and while the passing game hasn’t been as explosive as expected, Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram continue to produce.
Running back Travis Etienne is a key X-factor—his ability to create chunk plays both as a runner and receiver gives Jacksonville flexibility on early downs. Defensively, the Jaguars are middle-of-the-pack, but they rank in the top 10 in takeaways, helping flip field position and mask some of their inconsistencies.
Doug Pederson’s team plays well at home, covering four of their last six games at EverBank. For deeper playoff projections and futures betting, explore the blog on who makes the NFL playoffs.
Key Matchup Table
| Key Matchup | Edge |
|---|---|
| Quarterback Decision-Making | Jaguars |
| Defensive Efficiency | Broncos |
| Coaching Adjustments | Even |
| Explosive Play Rate | Jaguars |
| Turnover Margin | Broncos |
Betting Trends
The Denver Broncos are 5-1 ATS in their last six games and 6-3 ATS against teams with a winning record this season. They’ve also covered three straight road games when listed as underdogs of three points or less.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-2 ATS in home games this year but just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games as favorites. The total has gone under in five of their last six games against top-12 defenses.
This game is also featured in our NFL Week 16 odds preview for more market movement and game analysis.
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Prediction
This shapes up to be one of the most evenly matched games on the Week 16 slate. The Broncos are winning with defense, while the Jaguars are slightly more dynamic offensively. If Denver’s front seven can pressure Lawrence and force one or two turnovers, they’ll be in position to win outright.
That said, Jacksonville has a stronger red zone offense and more weapons if the game becomes a shootout. Expect a competitive contest decided by a late possession, with both teams emphasizing clock control and field position.
Projected Score: Jaguars 21, Broncos 20
Spread Pick: Broncos +2
Total Lean: Under 42.5
Explore more matchup breakdowns in our Sunday Night Football predictions blog.
Why You Need Expert Picks
Matchups like Broncos vs Jaguars are often decided by single-possession swings. That’s why expert insights from the NFL picks section can help you spot sharp angles—whether it’s line value, injury edges, or prop opportunities.
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