The race for the AFC conference’s No. 1 seed is officially going to be a photo finish. After the Jacksonville Jaguars downed the Denver Broncos in Week 16, the former’s odds of winning the No. 1 seed increased to 21.3% — while the Broncos’ odds decreased to 53.3%. As of this writing, Denver, 12-3, is still the No. 1 seed in the AFC Conference. And the 11-4 Jaguars are the No. 3 seed.
What Went Right for Broncos
Even in defeat, it wasn’t a bad game for the Broncos. Denver’s offense actually outgained the Jaguars’ offense 445-346 on three fewer plays. And in the midst of the chaos, — what went right — starter round pick RJ Harvey kept proving Broncos head coach Sean Payton right. All told, the former totaled 11 touches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Harvey totaled seven carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, and four receptions on five targets for 71 yards. Marvin Mims Jr., meanwhile, quietly totaled another 100-plus all-purpose yardage game. And Broncos quarterback Bo Nix totaled 360-plus scrimmage yards. In fact, he was 28-of-47 for 352 yards, a 7.5 yards per attempt, a touchdown, an interception, and an 81.2 passer rating. Nix recorded four carries for 11 yards as well.
Then there’s wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who paced the Broncos’ pass catchers with 12 targets, six receptions, 86 yards, and a touchdown. Fellow WR Troy Franklin got back in the mix as well — totaling four receptions on five targets for 66 yards.
So, the Broncos’ offense — Nix, Harvey, Sutton, Franklin, etc — is actually rolling heading into Week 17 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
What Went Wrong for Broncos
Nix’s clutchness was on bye in Week 16. In the second half, he lost a fumble to stall a drive, threw an interception to stall a drive, and turned it over on downs. This was the result of three of the Broncos’ final five possessions. The Broncos lost 34-20. Two of those three drives ended in Jacksonville territory as well.
That said, we’d be remiss not to mention the Broncos’ defense. Even in a passing league, where you pick offense over defense, allowing 30-plus points is a faux pas. The Jaguars’ offense is averaging over 30 points per game in their six-game winning streak, though. So, throw out convention in this one. It circles back to Nix’s clutchness being on bye. Because the Broncos’ defense totaled five sacks and six tackles for loss.
Last but not least, injuries went wrong for the Broncos in Week 16. Tight end Nate Adkins and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell were injured in the first half and didn’t return. Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, meanwhile, was injured in the second half alongside rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant. We’ll have more on their statuses for Week 17 as news develops.
