Broncos try to look at the bright side after their long winning streak is ended by Jaguars

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos are determined to recalibrate their first loss in a month.

“We got hit in the mouth today and they made a good play and we let it go,” guard Bo Nix said after Denver's 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday ended their 11-game winning streak as well as their 12-game winning streak at home. “But you'd rather it hit you now than in the first round of the playoffs.”

Wins by New England and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday tightened the AFC playoff race, with the Broncos (12-3) tied with the Patriots for the No. 1 overall seed. The Chargers' win over Dallas moved them into a tie with Denver in the AFC West.

Denver Broncos defensive end Bo Nix (10) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Broncos had uncharacteristic collapses in all three phases against the Jaguars. Wil Lutz saved a field goal attempt in the uprights to start the game, the defense missed a lot of tackles and the offense stalled trying to keep up with Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence.

Their misses raised the stakes for the Broncos' remaining two games, which begin Thursday night in Kansas City (6-9), where Denver hasn't won in a decade. The Chargers (11-4) visit Denver in Week 18 for what is expected to be a winner-take-all game for both the division crown and the AFC's only first-round bye.

“I wouldn't call it a wake-up call because we played well,” Nix said. “It's just one of those things that will reset you and get you back to where you need to be. It will get you into a good mindset if you let it. And like I said, you can't let it linger. We have to move on and attack this week in just a couple short days.”

Midfielder Alex Singleton was also glad the mistake happened in December rather than January.

“It's going to happen,” Singleton said. “This is the NFL, and when you can control what you can control now, I mean there's nothing better than a short week to reset things and play another game. Let's get this out of our system and win two games and people can say whatever they want.”

What works

Denver pass rushers had five more sacks, giving the Broncos 63 on the season and tying the franchise record they set last season. On Sunday, John Franklin-Meyers (two), Riley Moss, Malcolm Roach and DJ Jones all got sacks. But only two of those sacks came in the final three quarters, and OLB Nick Bonitto admittedly played poorly, saying he wasn't ready to play: “I don't think I played at my level. I feel like I could have done a lot better. I didn't come in ready to play today and it showed on the rest of the defense.”

What needs help

The Broncos suddenly had a penalty-prone problem, leading to an explosive play after an explosive Jaguars play, and nothing was more disappointing than Parker Washington's 63-yard interception that set up Travis Etienne's 10-yard touchdown catch to give the Jaguars a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter. The game featured two of the NFL's most punished teams, but the Jaguars were whistled only twice for 20 yards while the Broncos were flagged six times for 61 yards.

Stock up

RB R.J. Harvey had a 38-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17 early in the third quarter. It was the rookie's 11th touchdown. Harvey had 121 yards from scrimmage: 50 yards on seven carries and 71 yards on four receptions. Another big hit came from WR Courtland Sutton (six catches, 86 yards, one touchdown).

Stocks fell

Knicks suffered a setback a week after playing the best game of his career. He can still tie Russell Wilson's record for most wins (24) in a quarterback's first two seasons. But to reach that mark, he'll have to beat the Chiefs on Thursday night and the Chargers in Week 18.

Injuries

WR Pat Bryant was released from the hospital after suffering a concussion in the final minute of the game when Nix's high pass left him vulnerable to a hard hit that he absorbed.

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