NFLGame PreviewsJAX VS DEN Preview Week16 21-DEC-2025

Game Preview of Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos. Week 16 of 2025 NFL Season

JAX logo

JAX

10-4-0
@
21DEC25
04:05pm
DEN logo

DEN

12-2-0
Empower Field at Mile High

Game Preview

The Jaguars head to Denver for a big Week 16 test at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Dec. 21 (4:05 PM ET). Jacksonville is chasing playoff positioning, but it draws a brutal matchup style-wise: a road game in altitude against a defense that wins with pressure and red-zone stops.

The headline is the quarterback duel. Trevor Lawrence has been on a heater, and Jacksonville’s offense can score fast when it’s clean up front. Denver counters with a defense that can wreck timing. The Broncos generate sacks on 9.9% of dropbacks, best in the league by percentile.

Denver’s offense is less about pure bombs and more about staying on schedule. The Broncos rank well in long-drive efficiency (87.8%) and protect the quarterback (sack rate allowed 3.0%, 94th percentile). That matters against a Jaguars defense that does not finish pressure into sacks at a high rate.

The swing factor might be health in the trenches. Jacksonville lists key linemen Walker Little (Questionable) and Ezra Cleveland (Questionable). If either is limited, Denver’s pass rush edge grows fast. On the other side, Jacksonville’s top rusher off the edge, Josh Hines-Allen (Questionable), could shape how comfortable Bo Nix feels.

Current Season Form

JAX logo

JAX

Away
Record:10-4-0
ATS:9-5-0
O/U:8-6-0
DEN logo

DEN

Home
Record:12-2-0
ATS:6-8-0
O/U:6-8-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
1-4Winner logo
ATS:2-3-0
O/U:2-3-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-12-14vs GBW 34-26W +-1.5o42.5
2025-12-07@ LVW 24-17W +-8.5o40.5
2025-11-30@ WASW 27-26W +-6.5o43.5
2025-11-16vs KCW 22-19L -3.5u44.5
2025-11-06vs LVW 10-7W +9.5u42.5
2025-11-02@ HOUW 18-15W +1.5u40.5
2025-10-26vs DALW 44-24W +3.5o51.5
2025-10-19vs NYGW 33-32W +7.5o39.5
2025-10-12@ NYJW 13-11W +-7.5u43.5
2025-10-05@ PHIW 21-17W +3.5u44.5

Key Insights

 

  • Denver’s defense is built to erase chunk plays. It allows explosive runs at 1.7% and explosive passes at 5.0%.

  • The Broncos tighten up near the goal line. They allow red zone TDs just 35.7% of the time.

  • Jacksonville’s best defensive trait is creating takeaways. Its turnover generation rate is 2.5% (97th percentile).

  • Denver protects its quarterback well, with a 3.0% sack rate allowed. That can mute Jacksonville’s pass-rush ceiling.

  • If Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland are limited, Jacksonville may have to speed up Lawrence with quicker throws and extra blockers.

  • If Josh Hines-Allen is limited, Jacksonville loses its best chance to create negative plays without blitzing.

 

Betting Insights

 

  • Broncos -3.5 (-112): Denver’s pass rush (9.9% sack rate generated) matches up with a Jaguars line that has key “Questionable” tags.

  • Under 47.0 (-120): Denver’s defense is elite in the red zone (35.7% TDs allowed), which can turn touchdowns into field goals.

  • Jaguars team total Under 21.0 (-123): Explosives are hard to find against Denver, and that can cap Jacksonville’s ceiling if the run game stalls.

  • Trevor Lawrence Under 221.5 passing yards (-120): Denver limits explosive passes (5.0%) and can create sacks, which often cuts down attempts and efficiency.

  • Bo Nix Over 18.5 rushing yards (-122): Jacksonville’s sack rate generated is only 5.1%, so Nix may have time to escape and pick up cheap yards.

  • Courtland Sutton Anytime TD (+170): Jacksonville allows red zone TDs at 56.5%, and Denver’s offense converts in the red zone at 57.1%.

 

Final Summary

This game sets up as a style clash: Jacksonville wants clean pockets and explosive scoring, while Denver wants pressure, long drives, and red-zone stands. The Broncos’ defense has the traits you want at home in December. It limits big plays and forces tougher finishes near the goal line.

For Jacksonville, the injury report matters as much as any matchup chart. If Walker Little and Ezra Cleveland are both full go, the Jaguars have a real shot to keep Lawrence comfortable. If one sits or plays limited, Denver’s sack edge can flip drives fast.

Denver’s offense does not need to be flashy if it stays efficient. It protects the quarterback and can grind out possessions, which also pairs well with an under-style script. Jacksonville’s best counter is takeaways, since its turnover generation rate is strong.

If you’re betting it, respect the variance. A couple of early turnovers can blow up any “under” plan. But on paper, Denver’s pressure plus red-zone defense explains why the Broncos are favored and why several unders and efficiency-based props fit the matchup.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: DEN Offense vs JAX Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points257#17250#19DEN advantage
Total Points Per Game23.4#1622.7#16🏈
Total Touchdowns29#1731#23DEN advantage
Passing Touchdowns18#1322#28DEN advantage
Rushing Touchdowns11#157#5JAX advantage
Other Touchdowns0#312#28JAX advantage
Total Kicking Points75#2360#31DEN advantage
Total Two Point Conversions4#22#11DEN advantage
Kick Extra Points24#1724#19DEN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards2343#172640#9JAX advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game213#17240#8JAX advantage
Passer Rating85.9#2486.9#23JAX advantage
Passing Attempts388#8417#28DEN advantage
Completions237#15262#5JAX advantage
Completion Percentage61.1#2562.8#7JAX advantage
Passing 1st downs118#18142#28DEN advantage
Passing 1st Down %57.0#1363.1#31DEN advantage
Longest Pass52#2661#20JAX advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost2#183#16JAX advantage
Receiving Targets367#10399#5JAX advantage
Receptions237#15262#28DEN advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch1294#111222#19DEN advantage
YAC Average5.5#94.7#7JAX advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards1345#12922#1JAX advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game122#1183.8#32DEN advantage
Rushing Attempts291#19239#1JAX advantage
Yards Per Rush Attempt4.6#113.9#25DEN advantage
Rushing 1st downs69#2354#4JAX advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays9#73#28DEN advantage
Long Rushing50#1833#28DEN advantage
Rushing Fumbles9#73#28DEN advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost0#271#19JAX advantage