Kickoff: 4:05 PM ET (2:05 PM MT)
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Broadcast: FOX: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Allison Williams (field reporter), NFL+ (streaming)
Local radio on KOA (Broncos) and WJXL (Jaguars)
Capacity: ~76,125 (expected near-sellout with Broncos’ strong home crowd and playoff berth clinched; Jaguars fans may travel moderately despite altitude concerns)
The Denver Broncos (12-2), riding high after clinching a playoff spot, host the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) in a crucial AFC inter-conference clash with seeding implications. Denver aims to extend their impressive streak and lock in a top AFC seed (potentially No. 1-2), while Jacksonville seeks to build momentum for a wildcard push or better division positioning. This Week 16 matchup in the thin air of Mile High features two playoff-contending teams, with Denver’s elite pass rush clashing against Jacksonville’s balanced offense in potentially chilly conditions.
Team Records
Jacksonville Jaguars: 10-4 overall (strong AFC South positioning, 1st in division)
Denver Broncos: 12-2 overall (leading AFC West, 1st in division)
Both teams have exceeded expectations, with Denver on an 11-game win streak and Jacksonville reaching double-digit wins for the first time since 2017.
Recent Team Forms
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-2 in last 10; on 3-game win streak): The Jaguars are surging, capping a dominant 48-20 rout over the New York Jets on December 14 (Week 15) behind a balanced attack (over 500 total yards) and opportunistic defense. Offense ranks top-10 in scoring lately; road form solid (5-2 away), with improved run defense.
Denver Broncos (9-1 in last 10; on 11-game win streak): Sean Payton’s squad is red-hot, clinching playoffs with a 34-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers on December 14 (Week 15), led by a top-ranked pass rush (NFL-leading 58 sacks) and efficient offense. Home dominance overwhelming (7-0 at Mile High); defense forces turnovers at a high rate.
Weather Updates
Denver, CO (December 21, 2025 afternoon kickoff): Partly cloudy to overcast, with daytime highs around 50°F dropping to 34°F by late game. Winds light at 6-10 mph, with a 9-20% chance of light precipitation (possible flurries). UV index low (2); overall mild for December but potential chill factor in open-air stadium—minimal impact on passing but could favor ground games if winds pick up slightly.
Injury Report (as of December 18, 2025 practice reports)
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Out: RB Trey Benson (knee), LB Jack Kiser (unspecified, IR), OLB Jalen McLeod (unspecified, IR).
Limited/Questionable: DT Arik Armstead (hand, full participation by Thursday), G Ezra Cleveland (knee, full), others minor.
Probable/Full: DE Josh Hines-Allen (returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday), S Eric Murray (activated from IR).
Impact: Defense gets boost with Hines-Allen back; run game depth thinned but core intact.
Denver Broncos:
Limited/Questionable: OT Mike McGlinchey (neck), WR Marvin Mims Jr. (biceps), ILB Karene Reid (hamstring), C Luke Wattenberg (ankle).
Full/Probable: WR Pat Bryant, RB RJ Harvey (ribs, trending positive after full practice Wednesday/Thursday).
Impact: Offensive line concerns if McGlinchey/Wattenberg limited; Harvey’s return bolsters run game; overall mostly healthy.
Both teams relatively healthy entering the game, with Denver’s depth tested on the line.
Key Player Matchups
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence vs. Broncos Secondary: Lawrence (improved efficiency, low INTs lately) faces a top-10 Broncos pass defense; must navigate wind if any, with targets like WR Brian Thomas Jr. for deep shots.
Broncos Pass Rush (58 sacks league-lead) vs. Jaguars OL: Denver’s front (Patrick Surtain II in secondary) pressures Lawrence; Jaguars’ line (Ezra Cleveland key) must protect to unleash run game.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Broncos Front Seven: Etienne’s volume exploits Broncos’ solid but not elite run D; key for clock control in altitude.
Broncos QB Bo Nix (rookie sensation) vs. Jaguars Secondary: Nix (efficient, mobile) targets WR Courtland Sutton; Jaguars’ opportunistic DBs (with Hines-Allen rush) aim for turnovers.
Special Teams Edge: Neutral indoors/outdoors, but Broncos’ Wil Lutz reliable; altitude aids kicking distance but wind could factor.
Series History
All-time: Broncos lead 8-7 (including 1-1 in playoffs; Denver won the 1996 divisional playoff 30-27, Jaguars won the 2017 wildcard 10-3).
Recent: Broncos have won the last two regular-season meetings, including a 2021 victory; Jaguars lead in overall competitiveness but Denver owns recent edge.
This season: First meeting of 2025; trend toward defensive battles, with home teams winning 6 of last 8.
Betting Trends
Trends: Broncos 10-4 ATS during streak; Jaguars 6-4 ATS as underdogs. Series Unders in Denver (4 of last 5); home favorites cover ~65% vs. .500+ road teams.
Historical: Broncos cover large spreads at home; December games in Denver trend Under due to weather.
JAGUARS NOTES:
• JAGUARS have won four consecutive games to take over 1st place in AFC South. • QB TREVOR LAWRENCE completed 20 of 32 atts. (62.5 pct.) for 330 yards & 5 TDs with 136.7 rating & rushed for 51 yards & TD in Week 15, 1st ever with 300+ pass yards, 50+ rush yards, 5+ TD passes & rush TD in single game. Has 2+ TD passes in 4 consecutive games, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL. Passed for 133 yards & TD in last meeting. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE led team with 105 scrimmage yards (73 rec., 32 rush) & had career-high 3 rec. TDs last week, 6th RB since 2000 with 100+ scrimmage yards & 3+ rec. TDs in single game. Tied-most among RBs with 5 rec. TDs in 2025 (Christian McCaffrey). Has TD in 5 of his past 6. Had 162 scrimmage yards (career-high 156 rush, 6 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS had 5 catches for 71 yards last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4. Had 10 catches for 121 yards in his last game vs. Den. (11/24/24 w/ LV). • WR BRIAN THOMAS had 71 scrimmage yards (66 rec., 5 rush) & TD catch in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 70+ scrimmage yards. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN led team with 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 9 tackles in last meeting. • LB DENNIS GARDECK had 4 tackles & sack in Week 15. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3 on road. • LB VENTRELL MILLER had 1st-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S ANDREW WINGARD had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 15. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 & has 6+ tackles & TFL in 2 of his past 3. • S ERIC MURRAY had 6 tackles, 2 TFL & sack last week. • S ANTONIO JOHNSON had 5 tackles, 3 PD & INT in Week 15. Has 5+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. • CB MONTARIC BROWN had 4 tackles & INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 7+ tackles.
BRONCOS NOTES:
• BRONCOS became 1st AFC team to clinch a playoff spot this season after their 11th-consecutive win last week & have 58 sacks in 2025, tied-most by a team (NO – 2000) in 1st 14 games since 1990. • QB BO NIX completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for 302 yards & 4 TDs with 134.7 rating in Week 15. Tied 2nd-most wins (22) by QB in 1st 2 seasons all-time. Became 6th QB ever with 7,000+ passing yards & 50 TD passes in 1st 2 seasons. Aims for his 5th in row with 60+ comp. pct. & 200+ pass yards. • RB RJ HARVEY rushed for 65 yards & TD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 60+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. Leads rookies in scrimmage TDs (10) in 2025. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON had 7 catches for 113 yards & TD in Week 15. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards. • WR TROY FRANKLIN had 6 catches for 85 yards & TD last week. Has TD catch in 4 of his past 5 at home. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 80+ rec. yards. • LB NIK BONITTO aims for 4th in row with TFL. Has sack in 2 of his past 3. Ranks tied-3rd with 12.5 sacks this season & is 1 of 5 players with 10+ sacks in consecutive seasons. Had sack & FF in last meeting. • LB JONATHON COOPER has half sack in 2 of his past 3 at home. • LB DRE GREENLAW had 8 tackles in Week 15. Had 8 tackles & TFL in his only career game vs. Jax. (11/12/23 w/ SF). • LB ALEX SINGLETON had 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 8+ tackles. • LB JONAH ELLISS had sack in Week 15. • LB DONDREA TILLMAN had sack last week. Has sack in 2 of his past 3. • CB PAT SURTAIN II had 4 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 15. Is 1 of 5 in NFL with 10+ games (10) with PD. Had 5 tackles & TFL in last meeting. • CB RILEY MOSS had 4 tackles, 3 PD & INT last week. Tied 4th-most in NFL with 15 PD in 2025.
Game Odds
Jacksonville Jaguars 46.5
Denver Broncos – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 20, 2025
