Broncos vs. Jaguars: 5 crucial facts to know about Jacksonville

The Denver Broncos will draw a sub-.500 opponent for the first time this year in the 1-2 Jacksonville Jaguars. Don't let Jacksonville's record fool you, though.

Similarly to the Broncos, this Jags team is better than their record reflects. Jacksonville is playing with some confidence and swagger and its a team that has seen a significant emotional boost from its near-sensational rookie quarterback.

As the Broncos work to get their first win of the season, what should every fan know about the Week 4 opponent? I'm glad you asked.

1. Minshew not playing like a rookie

We're not talking about Patrick Mahomes in his first year but rookie QB Gardner Minshew is playing at a surprisingly high level. Drafted in the sixth round this past spring to serve as Nick Foles' backup, Minshew was thrust into action early in Week 1 when the starter went down with a shoulder injury that would land him on injured reserve.

Minshew experienced a trial-by-fire in the season-opener, going against Mahomes and the Chiefs and it seemingly desensitized him quickly to the speed of the NFL game. Consider Minshew well-acclimated.

We're talking about a QB who through three games has passed for 692 yards with a 5-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. Minshew has been a phenomenal decision-maker, which belies his relative inexperience. He's completed 73.9% of his passes, which not only means he's making good reads and decisions, but also that he's been accurate with his ball placement.

And he's not turning the ball over. Don't sleep on this kid.

2. Jags can pick up chunk yards

Jacksonville is currently ranked seventh in the NFL averaging 6.3 yards per offensive play. What does that mean?

It means that they're a balanced offense who can pick up chunk yards. This team can do it in multiple ways, too.

The Jaguars have some talented skill-position players, including running back Leonard Fournette and wide receiver D.J. Chark. And don't sleep on former Kansas City Chiefs' WR Chris Conley, whose 200 yards receiving currently is six yards more than Emmanuel Sanders has posted.

Broncos beware.

3. Jags' O-line better than given credit

The Jacksonville offensive line hasn't received much love from the advanced analytics sites, nor does the unit really have a Pro Bowler or stud to anchor the unit, but they're producing where it matters.

The Jags have allowed just five sacks through three games, which is good for 9th-fewest in the league. For context, Joe Flacco was sacked six times last week alone in Green Bay.

Part of the reason for Jacksonville's success up front in pass protection is the play of Gardner Minshew, who's done a great job making reads pre-snap so that he knows where to go with the ball early, avoiding pressure.

As a run-blocking unit, the Jags are much more pliable. Jacksonville is averaging just 90.7 rushing yards per game, good for 23rd in the NFL but Leonard Fournette has 179 yards on the ground, which is more than either Phillip Lindsay or Royce Freeman have.

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4. Jacksonville can get after the passer

Remember the six sacks stat last week with Flacco? The Broncos' starting QB is going to have to enter this game knowing up front that holding onto the ball for any longer than 2.5 seconds after the snap will lead to pressures, hits and sacks — maybe even turnovers.

The Jaguars lead the league with 13 sacks as a team. This front seven wreaked havoc on Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota last week.

If Broncos' OC Rich Scangarello continues his reticence to call play-action, and allows Flacco to just drop back down-after-down, the Jags will get to him. This is the type of game where you'd hope to see the Broncos' coaches and QB recognize the strengths of the opponent, and just like Denver's opponents have excelled at doing through the first three weeks, scheme around those strengths nullify them.

5. A bend don't break defense

Aside from their pass rushing prowess, the Jags only have one other key defensive statistic to write home about. This defense has been very good at keeping opponents out of the end zone once they cross the 20-yard line.

Jacksonville currently ranks fifth in the NFL, allowing opponents to score in the red zone on just 40% of trips inside the 20. That's a tad discouraging, considering there are only four NFL teams worse than the Broncos' offense at scoring in the red zone.

Which unit will find a way to execute in the red area? Hopefully, the Broncos get a boost from playing in front of the home crowd because they're going to need it.

This would be a good week to get Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton involved in the red zone offense, both of whom have been incognito thus far once the Broncos cross the 20.

Otherwise, this Jags' defense is relatively pliable between the 20's. Jacksonville ranks 20th in total yards allowed, 17th against the run, 18th against the pass and they're the seventh-worst third-down defense. The Broncos should find purchase on drives but closing with touchdowns, not field goals, will be the difference in this game.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.