JACKSONVILLE — The AFC South-leading Jaguars will face their first road test of the 2026 regular season when they travel to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos at 4:05 p.m. Sunday, and Head Coach Liam Coen said the preparation starts with execution, not the opponent.
“So much of this week is truly about us,” Coen said as his 1-0 squad prepared for a Broncos team that went 14-3 last season and won the AFC West. “We have to know this plan so well that you know what the guy next to you is going to be able to do without having to say it to him or speak or talk about it. That is how well we have to be connected this week.”
Jacksonville beat Denver 34-20 in Week 16 of the 2025 regular season — a victory that ignited an eight-game, AFC South-title-clinching winning streak and made the Jaguars the only team to beat the Broncos in the 2025 regular season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, however, dismissed the carryover value.
“It’s two totally different teams. Even if a lot of the players are the same, every year is so different and every game you have to show up with your best for three hours on Sunday,” Lawrence said.
The Jaguars opened with a 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium, while the Broncos fell 31-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving Denver tied for third in the AFC West and hungry. Lewis warned that the loss will fuel Denver’s intensity.
“They want some revenge. Coming off a loss like they did last week, we know we are going to get their best ball,” Lewis said. “We just have to go out there and execute, play to our standards and understand we are playing a pissed off team, which is good because that challenges our standards.”
Coen acknowledged the altitude and atmosphere at Mile High will test communication but said last December’s trip provides a baseline. “I think it helps our players know the atmosphere, know what they’re going into,” Coen said. “It was definitely a tough deal because they were they were on a roll. They were known as a physical team and we knew we had to go out there and play to that physicality so it was definitely a hard-fought win to the very end.”
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who caught three passes for 40 yards against Cleveland, was listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report with a shoulder injury sustained against the Browns but said he expects to suit up. “I’ll be ready to go Sunday,” Thomas said. He was among five players listed as limited, along with running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb), right tackle Cole Van Lanen (knee) and linebacker Foye Oluokun (wrist). Allen, Meyers and Van Lanen carried similar designations last week and all played against the Browns.
Jacksonville returns to EverBank Stadium in Week 3 to host the New England Patriots before spending Weeks 4-6 outside of Jacksonville ahead of the team’s Week 7 bye.