The Jaguars' top-tier interception numbers defy conventional rankings. Bo Nix and the Broncos should pay attention before Sunday.
"Almost" interceptions don't make it into a team's weekly stats. If they did, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix would have helped the Packers' secondary improve their defensive takeaway numbers last Sunday at Mile High Stadium.
Nix led a Broncos comeback on Sunday, throwing for 302 yards and four touchdowns on 23 of 34 completions. A few of those incomplete passes were dropped picks by Green Bay.
The Packers rank 10th in the NFL in takeaways, with 13 -- only seven are INTs.
The Jaguars (10-4), the league's second-best pickoff artists -- with 18 through Week 15 -- likely will get a better grip on the ball when they take on the Broncos (12-2) in Denver on Sunday afternoon.
LB Devin Lloyd, here after picking off Colts QB Daniel Jones in Week 14, leads the Jaguars with five interceptions this season. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)Jacksonville also sits at No. 2 in total takeaways with 26, behind the Chicago Bears, who total 30.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd leads the team with five picks -- one a 99-yard pick-6 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6.
Lloyd has been productive this season despite limited minutes due to injury. The Jags' first-round pick in the 2022 draft (27th overall), Lloyd suffered a calf injury in the Jags' Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks -- and was ruled out for the next two games following the team's Week 8 bye.
Lloyd reportedly suffered a chest injury in the Jaguars' Nov. 30 win over the Titans. He played against the Colts the following week, intercepting QB Daniel Jones in Indy's opening drive in Jacksonville. Lloyd's play was limited last week against the Jets, but Antonio Johnson picked up the slack, intercepting QB Brady Cook to seal the Jags' 10th win of the season. Johnson has three INTs this season, second most on the team.
The Jaguars are expected to release their preliminary injury report Wednesday morning.
The Broncos rank 18th in takeaways this season with 12. But the team has a -2 turnover ratio, as they've turned the ball over 14 times.
Safety Antonio Johnson intercepts QB Brady Cook, sealing the Jaguars' 48-20 victory over the New York Jets and helping net the team's 10th win of the season on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)Ahead of Week 16's matchup, Denver has clinched the playoffs, tops the AFC West, and is looking to win the conference title.
Jacksonville leads the AFC South, with the Texans still one game behind.
On paper, Denver looks like it could get past the Jags' defense, which has improved just one spot -- to 10th -- in total defense. Defending against the run, Jacksonville is ranked No. 1, allowing just over 86 ypg and having allowed just 10 TDs this season. The Jags' passing defense? Seems like nothing special at 20th, allowing on average 222 ypg.
Oh, but all those takeaways -- those interceptions and fumble recoveries -- that haven't been accounted for in ranking NFL defenses.
All those turnovers forced by the Jaguars -- they're not "almost."