Mile High Roundtable: Broncos vs. Jaguars | Week 4 | Predictions & picks
Khalid Alshami (@KhalidHAlshami) 2-1: A new week, same old song and dance. Vic Fangio, once an exciting hire, has quickly exhausted Broncos Country with his struggles to call plays from the sideline and to best utilize his pass rush of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Thus far, the Broncos' defense, which was billed as a top unit throughout the offseason, has failed to generate any pressure or force a turnover in three contests this season. The good news for the beleaguered unit is that they face a rookie QB in Gardner Minshew in front of their home crowd. The defense will get on track in this one forcing a turnover and getting to Minshew. I just don't trust the Denver offense to do enough to defeat the real-life version of Uncle Rico.
Pick: Jaguars 21, Broncos 20
Josh Carney (@JCarney_Sports) 2-1: Uncle Rico rides into the Mile High City looking to throw that football over 'them there mountains'. However, the Broncos' defense, after getting taken to task in the media once again, responds at home, getting after the rookie QB in a big, big way. Offensively, the Broncos do just enough.
Pick: Broncos 13, Jaguars 6
Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH) 0-3: The Broncos once again find themselves going against a very good defense on paper. Thankfully, the Jags are not exactly going to light it up on offense making this another low scoring close game like most of the games for the Broncos so far this season. Phillip Lindsay gets things fired up on offense with a couple of nice long runs and the defense only surrenders one big play giving the Broncos a nice first win of the season.
Pick: Broncos 20, Jaguars 13
Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL) 2-1: The Broncos are in desperate need of a win. At home with their backs against the wall, they have to respond. This is the game they get their turnover, sack and a win streak going.
Pick: Broncos 28, Jaguars 17
Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) 0-3: Last week, I went with my heart over my head in my prediction and paid the price. This Broncos squad continues to be hard to get a bead on. The issue is, they've been so inconsistent in all three phases through three games, I just don't know what to expect on a week-to-week basis. What I do know, though, is the margin of error for this team is nil. One turnover could cost Denver the chance to win their first game at home vs. its first sub-.500 opponent with a rookie QB. Still, the law of averages is on Denver's side and frankly, the Broncos match up well with this opponent. I'm picking Denver but I still doubt this offense gets to 20 points.
Pick: Broncos 19, Jaguars 13
Trevor Judge (@TrevorJudge) 1-2: This will be the Broncos' second home game of 2019 and of their three games this year, they played best in the one home game against Chicago. So far in limited time, Gardner Minshew looks like the real deal. His mobility will make it difficult for Denver to get to him but I do see the Broncos notching their first sack of the season in this game. It’s looking like Jalen Ramsey won’t play so that will help the Broncos' offense, which is averaging just 15.3 points per game (30th in the NFL). Part of me thinks this is the game the Broncos put it all together and play like the team we thought they could be this season. However, I fear opposing teams are going to keep rolling out the same game plan we’ve seen the first three weeks — quick passes, no turnovers, and blanket coverage of Emmanuel Sanders. Until Vic Fangio and Rich Scangarello can prove they can counter the strategies opposing teams are throwing at them, I worry that 15.3 points per game is going to remain the mean. All of that said, I have the Broncos inching their first 'W' of the season, with the defense shutting the door on a last-minute drive by the Jaguars.
Pick: Broncos 20, Jaguars 16
Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) 0-3: If the Broncos have any intestinal fortitude at all, if even a sliver of Vic Fangio's message is received, they'll beat the mediocre (at best) Jags starting a rookie quarterback and down their best defensive player — and facing them in the friendly confines of Mile High, to boot. Fortunately, I believe the Broncos will do just that in what could be a get-right game, an opportunity for the offense to score actual points and the defense to force these things called turnovers, not to mention bring Minshew to the ground. The law of averages dictates Denver has to win sometime, and what better time than against a spiraling 1-2 Jacksonville squad that does nothing overly well?
Pick: Broncos 28, Jaguars 14
Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) 1-2: The Broncos haven’t won a game in seven-straight matchups, but this might be the game to break it up. Much like looking in the mirror, the Broncos and Jags both are defensive teams with ball-control offenses. The Jags have more deep threats in Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, and DJ Chark, with a solid run-blocking offensive line, but that defense and the D-line specifically is loaded. The Broncos offensive line will have their hands full. First team to 15 wins!
Pick: Broncos 16, Jaguars 13
Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) 1-2: The Jaguars are getting solid play from Minshew, with the staff keeping things simple for him. Fans shouldn't assume he will be easy pickings, but this is definitely a QB against whom the Broncos should be more aggressive in pass rushing, forcing him into quicker decisions. Defensively, the Jaguars still have plenty of talent, even if Ramsey doesn't play. Jacksonville still has a good pass rush, so the Broncos have to do a good job of blocking upfront. I do think the Broncos can move the ball against the Jaguars — they've done it against good defenses such as Chicago and Green Bay. Denver will, however, need to finish more drives and watch the turnovers. But it's the defense that needs to step up — not simply in getting sacks and turnovers, but limiting drives and getting the Jaguars' O off the field. Can the Broncos do that? I believe they can. I expect a close game, but the Broncos should break their losing streak and show that, yes, they are heading in the right direction.
Pick: Broncos 20, Jaguars 17
Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH) 2-1: The Broncos might actually catch a lucky break this week by running into a team starting a rookie QB. Don't let the hype fool you, because the reasons he has looked as good as he has is because the Jaguars are keeping things very simple for him and playing to his strengths. Fangio has to be getting frustrated with the lack of success from his defense, so I expect a lot of very complex designs that make Minshew hold onto the football. The Jags may also be without CB Jalen Ramsey, a top-five talent at the position. Could Joe Flacco get over 300 yards passing on Sunday? If the offensive line can give him enough time, it is definitely possible. If there is any way to get this season turned in the right direction, this is the one game to do it. Get a 'W', boys.
Pick: Broncos 17, Jaguars 13
Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel) 1-2: There is a focus from the Broncos this week similar to when they blasted Arizona last year. However, the Jaguars are a more talented team and a tougher matchup for them. It's going to talk a great performance from the O-line against this tough Jaguars' D-line. Offensively, Minshew hype is understandable but he is beatable. He doesn't like to attack deep, due to poor arm strength and doesn't attack the middle often. For the first time this season, everything clicks for the Broncos in every phase of the ball. They get a couple of takeaways, sack Minshew five times and walk away with their first win of the season in a shocking fashion.
Pick: Broncos 34, Jaguars 13
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