Jaguars take down top-seeded Broncos, 34-20

Trevor Lawrence delivered the defining performance of his career Sunday, dismantling one of the NFL’s hottest teams and reshaping the AFC playoff picture in the process.

Lawrence accounted for four touchdowns, three through the air and one on the ground, as the Jacksonville Jaguars snapped the Denver Broncos’ 11-game winning streak with a 34–20 victory. The win extended Jacksonville’s surge, marked Denver’s first home loss since October 2024 and underscored Lawrence’s rapid rise in his first season under coach Liam Coen.

The Jaguars improved to 11–4, winning their sixth straight and maintaining control of the AFC South. Denver fell to 12–3, seeing its lead in the AFC West trimmed to one game with a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers looming. The Broncos also saw a 12-game home winning streak come to an end.

After Denver tied the game at 17 on the opening drive of the second half, Jacksonville seized full control. Lawrence scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, then connected with Parker Washington on a 63-yard strike that set up a Travis Etienne touchdown. Following a Denver turnover, the Jaguars added a Cam Little field goal, their fifth consecutive scoring drive, to push the margin to 34–17.

Washington emerged as the surprise star, hauling in six catches for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown. Jakobi Meyers was limited to 45 yards, but Jacksonville’s offense remained explosive and efficient, finishing 4-for-5 in the red zone against the league’s top red-zone defense.

Lawrence finished with 279 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, adding his rushing score despite being sacked five times by Denver’s league-leading pass rush. Over the past six weeks, he has commanded the offense with precision, poise and balance, guiding a unit that has overwhelmed opponents during Jacksonville’s win streak.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix threw for a career-high 353 yards but struggled with turnovers at key moments. A botched exchange in the third quarter halted one drive, and an interception on fourth down late in the game ended Denver’s final realistic comeback attempt.

The Broncos briefly pulled within 34–20 in the fourth quarter, but Jacksonville’s defense closed the door. A late Denver drive ended when Jarrian Jones intercepted Nix near midfield, sealing the Jaguars’ statement win.

Injuries

Jaguars right guard Patrick Mekari left the game with a back injury.

Denver lost tight end Nate Adkins to a knee injury and inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Pat Bryant was carted off late in the fourth quarter after a hard hit and was evaluated on the field.

Up Next

The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis next Sunday.

The Broncos face a short turnaround, visiting the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night.