​Sep 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) is tackled by. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (1) during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sometimes you need to be humbled.It wasn’t the way the Jacksonville Jaguars wanted to exit Mile High. Winners of nine regular-season games, Jacksonville entered Mile High with a sense of confidence after being the only team to defeat the Denver Broncos at home in the regular season last year, snapping their 11-game win streak. This time, Jacksonville got a taste of what it feels like to see a winning streak come to an end.Here are my two takeaways from the 20-13 defeat:Brian Thomas Jr.
Sep 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; The Jacksonville Jaguars huddle up against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
It was a rough day at the office for Brian Thomas Jr. What was thought to be fixed in the offseason recurred in Denver: the drops. Thomas was tied for second in the NFL with 10 drops last season, and those issues resurfaced against Denver. He recorded three receptions for 40 yards on eight targets. He had a huge dropped pass in the fourth quarter as the Jaguars were driving to answer the Broncos’ touchdown, which resulted in a punt.  ​This pattern mirrors last season’s Week 2 matchup when Jacksonville traveled to Cincinnati. Thomas had four receptions for 49 yards on 12 targets and had a huge dropped pass in the fourth quarter that would have kept the team’s drive alive.  After a stellar rookie season, in which he was voted to the Pro Bowl after 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, he has yet to follow up that success. Just two weeks into the season, his performance is eerily similar to last season.17 Unanswered
Sep 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during a play against the Denver Broncos in the during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
An interception and a missed field goal were the two major plays that turned Sunday’s game.Jacksonville led Denver 13-3 after an opening third-quarter field goal.  Trevor Lawrence’s interception with the score 13-6 and 1:36 remaining in the third quarter helped kick-start a Broncos drive that resulted in a touchdown. Then, a missed 54-yard field goal attempt by Cam Little in the fourth quarter with 9:42 left would have given the Jaguars a 16-13 lead.The Jaguars had 153 yards of total offense in the first half and 115 in the second. Lawrence completed 12 of 17 passes for 138 yards and a 94.7 passer rating in the first. His production dipped in the second half when he completed 5 of 12 passes for 51 yards and an interception with a 33.7 passer rating.  Denver would score 17 points unanswered in the second half as Jacksonville struggled on both sides of the ball. ​Jackso