As the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) prepare to face the Denver Broncos (12-2) in Week 16, we sat down with Mile High Report’s Ian St. Clair to learn more about the opposing side.
Question 1: What are some of the first reasons that come to mind as to why the Broncos have the best record in football?
The main reason is Sean Payton. Since arriving in Denver, he has completely changed the culture within the organization. Prior to the Broncos’ hiring of Payton, this franchise couldn’t have found its way back to relevance if it had a map and a compass. But in his three seasons, he has proven that he is one of the best coaches in the NFL. Connected to that is Payton, George Paton and the Broncos ownership group, led by Greg Penner, are aligned with the same goal of making this the best team and franchise in the league. Having that synergy across the franchise is a big reason Denver is where it is now. Of course, the players have to do it on the field, and that starts with Bo Nix and an elite defense. The players have accepted and are aligned with Payton and his expectations. Hence the Broncos have the best record in the league right now.
Question 2: What are some areas of concern for this team, if any, as it prepares for its second straight playoff berth?
As with any team at this point in the season, the important thing is health. To go far in the playoffs, teams must stay injury free. Obviously, that’s not something teams can control, but it’s always the most important thing. The other thing is consistency on both sides of the ball. If the Broncos play like they did in the second half of their win over the Green Bay Packers, no team will beat them. So consistency is key from now on.
Question 3: What would you classify as the main strengths and weaknesses of Bo Nix’s game at this point in his young career?
Let’s focus on the most recent game to find the answer. Nix is ​​coming off the best game of his career. In the win over the Packers, he completed 23 of 34 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 10 rushing yards on seven carries. And while the stats are off the charts, they still don’t do justice to how good Nix was in the win over Green Bay. Nix was not fired despite some tough times in the pocket. He also did not commit turnovers. And when the Broncos needed big shooting, Nix delivered. Now can he do it again? Can Nix stack big performances off each other? To go from good to great or even elite, he needs to do what he did against the Packers this Sunday. That’s where he put everything together for the first time.
Question 4: Who is one or two under-the-radar players that Jaguars fans should keep an eye on on Sunday?
On defense, he will be the replacement for safety Brandon Jones. Whether it’s PJ Locke or JL Skinner, or maybe someone else, stay tuned for who replaces Jones this weekend. I guess it will be Locke who gets the nod this Sunday. As for the offense, let’s go with Evan Engram. He may not seem like an under-the-radar player, but the tight end hasn’t done much this season. Against his former team, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Payton utilize the tight end position in a way he hasn’t yet this season on Sunday.
Question 5: Do you expect the Broncos to cover as 3-point favorites and do you like prop bets on the game?
Once again, Denver is one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. The Broncos have not lost a home game since last season. They’re also coming off a big win, but this team still knows they haven’t accomplished anything yet. Payton will have this team primed and ready, and I expect them to cover that margin. As far as props go, I like the Nix 3+ alternate pass TDs at +280 on FanDuel.
Thanks to Ian for taking the time to answer our questions!
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Jaguars fans, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!