What a Win (and Loss) Means For the Jaguars vs. Broncos

Much is on the line this weekend as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Denver on Sunday.

Dec 14, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

A massive game approaches on Sunday as the 10-4, AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars travel to the Rocky Mountains to play the AFC's No. 1 seed, the Denver Broncos.

This game features many storylines and plenty of excitement as two of the hottest teams in the sport face off in an epic postseason preview at Mile High in Denver. The Jaguars are looking to continue their success under first-year head coach Liam Coen and surging quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Let's look into what a win or loss would mean for Jacksonville after this weekend.

What a win means

Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates with head coach Liam Coen after defeating the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Success is not a given in this league. Look at what happened with the Kansas City Chiefs--a once-booming dynasty is now on life support after missing the postseason. The Jaguars need to take any advantage they have to gain success, and Sunday provides that mission for this franchise under a first-year head coach.

A win would propel Jacksonville into some lofty discussions that Duval faithful would've never imagined heading into the first season under a new regime, and while I want to name the game, you can probably guess which one would be discussed, one that is played in front of over 100 million people in February.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive end Travon Walker (44) pray before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Furthermore, the Jaguars would be in a strong position to secure a top-three seed in the AFC, a significant accomplishment given their performance this year. If the win comes off the arm of Lawrence, the hype around him will only grow, as it has for the last few weeks. A victory would only serve as further testament to the brilliance of Coen as a first-time head coach.

What a loss would mean

Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Whenever an NFL team has success with a first-year coach, there tend to be versions of learning curves along the way. Coen has had experiences of this during the early portions of the season when they lost three bouts in a four-game stretch, but he hasn't faced a challenge quite like Denver at Mile High.

A loss would be a disappointment one way or another, as Jacksonville's opportunity to make further noise in the AFC slips from its fingers, unable to weather the obstacles that the Broncos presented defensively. Should it be a close defeat, it would show the Jaguars as a team that can take on the best of the best at their highest level, but a blowout would tell the world this team isn't ready for the big-time, late-season matchups with postseason implications.

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