With 11 wins this season, it will be a matter of time before they catch up with the Broncos. It would be easy to blame Sunday’s loss on the Jaguars’ slow start, turnovers or triggering officiating delight — things that have plagued them all season. This time they couldn’t get out of trouble.
There are two games between the regular season and playoffs. The Broncos needed this to remind themselves that miraculous, last-second wins are not guaranteed. That might get you through the regular season, but in the playoffs, you can’t expect to thrive like that. With everything on the line, letting a team hang out like they did with the Jaguars is out of the question.
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The Jaguars game reminded the Broncos that they can still be beat. They need to do the little things to ensure Sunday’s results don’t become the norm. Passes need to be caught, costly penalties need to be eliminated, quarterback pressure needs to be applied, and the overall level of play has to be better.
The Broncos still sit atop the NFL with a 12-3 record as they head into the Christmas Day game against the seriously troubled Chiefs. However, the cushion they built in their record has disappeared, as they are now tied with the Patriots and Seahawks. There is no room for error anymore.
Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars was just the slap in the face the Broncos needed as they prepare for the postseason. It’s a not-so-gentle reminder that the other team’s players are paid, too, and they’re just as eager to win. Denver would do well to remember this now, rather than in the divisional round of the playoffs.
