Was embarrassing home loss to Jaguars good timing for Broncos?

A small-market team punching the Denver Broncos in the mouth hurts, but it may be what they needed before the playoffs.

In Week 16, the Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) handed the Broncos (12-3) a 34-20 loss at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, ending an 11-game win streak. In a postgame news conference, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen seemingly poked fun at Denver head coach Sean Payton for calling them a small-market team before Sunday's game.

"A small-market team, like us, can come into Mile High and get it done," he said. 

Embarrassing as the loss was for Denver, it may prove beneficial for the Broncos. It could help them realize that, despite having already clinched a playoff berth, they must lock in before the postseason begins.

Broncos QB Bo Nix says he'd rather lose now than in playoffs

"You'd rather have it hit you now than in the first round of the playoffs," Nix, who threw a touchdown pass and an interception, said postgame. "I wouldn't call it a wake-up call because we're playing well. It's just one of those that will reset you and put you back in, to get you back where you need to be. It'll put you in a good mindset if you let it. You can't let this one linger. We have to move on and attack this week on just a couple of short days."

On Christmas, the Broncos will face the injury-riddled Kansas City Chiefs (6-9), who are expected to start No. 3 QB Chris Oladokun after No. 2 QB Gardner Minshew likely tore his ACL in a 26-9 road loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. Against Tennessee, Oladokun finished 11-of-16 passing for 116 yards. 

Denver should win this matchup, but the Broncos can't sleep on Kansas City. Losing another game would cost them home-field advantage in the playoffs. Playing at home throughout the postseason is crucial for Denver, which boasts the best home record (7-1) in the NFL after 16 weeks.

After their game against Kansas City, the Broncos host the 11-4 Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. If the Chargers beat the Houston Texans (10-5) in Week 17, that sets up a winner-take-all matchup for the AFC West. 

Losing to a small-market team stings for the Broncos, but it teaches a valuable lesson: Don't underestimate anyone during the most important part of the season.