During a recent press conference, Coen shared a moment from discussions at the owners’ meetings: “I talked to Sean and he gave me a little love for it. But he said, ‘I’m coming for you this year.’ It’s great. I mean, it’s all in competition.”
After a 21-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, the Broncos travel to Empower Field at Mile High with the aim of turning the page and bouncing back. The start was tough, and the energy at the Broncos’ practice facility is expected to be high as they attempt to regroup.
Denver’s Week 1 game against Kansas City offered a rough blueprint for opponents. The Broncos leaned into a pass-heavy approach, and quarterback Bo Nix appeared to be working through a rehabilitated ankle injury suffered late last season. He attempted 32 passes, but Denver gained only 115 net yards, aided by four sacks. Defensive consistency also presented a concern, with eight defenders missing 28 tackles and yielding 247 yards—the most in eight years.
In contrast, the Jaguars displayed a formidable start on defense in their opener against Deshaun Watson’s offense. In Week 1, Jacksonville led the league in sacks and ranked second in pressures. Rising stars on the defense—such as Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker—made impactful plays in the pass rush. On offense, Trevor Lawrence completed 18 of 23 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns, adding a pair of rushing attempts, highlighting his dual-threat effectiveness.
A day after the Browns game, Coen spoke about the team’s energy and execution, noting that the Jaguars “executed some situations, and jumped out to a fast start.” He emphasized the importance of discipline and limiting penalties, a focus he believes can help them maintain an edge against the Broncos. Having observed Payton’s approach, Coen indicated that he has learned a great deal from the veteran coach and that the experience informs his own play-calling and strategic decisions.
Heading into the Mile High showdown, Coen appears to hold a slight advantage, particularly given Denver’s Week 1 struggles. Payton’s competitive edge will be less about words and more about correcting the Broncos’ foundational issues in the trenches and finding ways to execute under pressure.
Historically, the Broncos and Jaguars have met 16 times, including two postseason games, with both teams evenly splitting the series at eight wins each.
The Week 2 clash promises to be a telling contest for both teams as they seek to establish their identities early in the season. The Jaguars will look to build on their strong defensive start and continued efficiency from Lawrence, while the Broncos aim to bounce back and slow down a Jaguars squad eager to prove its resilience and depth.
