Despite a tough loss, Denver's defense falters, but their overall strength solidifies their AFC contender status for a Super Bowl run.
Well, the Denver Broncos' winning streak had to come to an end at some point. In Week 16, it finally ended as the Broncos lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-20, in Denver.
Denver had a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter, and the Broncos tied the game at 17 to start the second half, but the Jaguars took off from there.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence threw for 279 yards with three touchdowns, and Parker Washington had a career-best outing with six catches for 145 yards and a score.
Bo Nix threw for 352 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but the loss to the Jaguars, in Denver of all places, might bring some concerns.
However, there shouldn't be a concern as to whether or not the Broncos are still a contender in the AFC, at least according to Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com.
He had some buy and sells for contenders after Week 16, but the Broncos are still a buy for him, and here's why.
"The Broncos have been rolling for so long that it’s weird to see their flaws do them in. It’s one thing for Denver to see its 11-game winning streak end on Sunday in a 34-20 loss to Jacksonville. The way it went down was the startling part. Denver’s superpower is its defense. That was a message that apparently never made it to Jacksonville’s ears. The Jaguars created explosive passing plays (wide receiver Parker Washington had six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown) and Jacksonville scored four touchdowns in five red-zone trips," he wrote.
"All this brought up a question that has followed the Broncos all year: What happens when that defense has a bad day? It’s a fair concern, but this also feels like a one-off. The Broncos have rattled opposing teams for most of this season... It would be easy to say Sunday’s loss was an indication of how close the Broncos are to being a one-and-done team in the playoffs. But this isn’t a year where they have to worry about competing with a powerhouse in January. They’re good enough to win a Super Bowl with what they have. "
As Chadiha mentions, there are valid concerns especially with the loaded Broncos defense plays as it did on Sunday.
But, it sure seems like a one-off, especially when we examine the way the Broncos defense has played the entire season.
For now, they are serious contenders and are right on the cusp of home-field advantage and the No. 1 seed in the AFC.