Jaguars vs. Broncos Week 2: staff takeaways, matchups to watch, and who could swing the game

# What Week 1 taught the staff

Third, Trevor Lawrence and the passing attack look more cohesive. Multiple staffers noted trust developing between Lawrence and his receivers and called the passing elements of the offense "legit" after Week 1.

# Who could make a bigger impact than last season

The staff highlighted several names who were peripheral in last year's Denver matchup but could matter this time.

• Dennis Gardeck and Branson Combs: Both flashed pressure ability in limited Week 1 snaps, with Gardeck producing pressures at a high rate and Combs showing a pass-rush threat on designed plays. With Denver's offensive line and quarterback pressure tendencies a concern, those situational pass-rushers could affect Bo Nix's comfort in the pocket.

• Front-four continuity: Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen were singled out as sacks candidates who could turn Denver's shaky Week 1 passing performance into a long day for the Broncos' offense.

# Matchups to watch

These one-on-one confrontations surfaced repeatedly in the roundtable.

• Nik Bonitto vs. Anton Harrison: Bonitto's pass-rush pedigree against Harrison, who is starting his second regular-season game at left tackle, was labeled "popcorn-worthy." That matchup will test Harrison's ability to handle a high-end edge rusher.

• Jaguars receivers vs. Broncos secondary: Pat Surtain II remains the anchor for Denver, but the group has shown vulnerability. Staffers pointed to last season's player-specific advantages (for example, Parker Washington's performance) as a guide for how Jacksonville might scheme targets.

# How the game could be decided

The roundtable framed the outcome around a few concrete factors. If Jacksonville successfully establishes its run-then-play-action plan, it will force Denver's defense into uncomfortable fits and create high-value passing windows. Conversely, if Denver can generate consistent pressure or exploit mismatches with their pass rush, they can disrupt Trevor Lawrence and suppress the play-action rhythm.

Role players on both sides — situational blitzers for the Jaguars and uncovered receivers or misaligned defenders for the Broncos — may ultimately swing field position, turnovers, and key drives.

# Bottom line

Expect a tactical battle: Jacksonville will try to replicate the balanced, run-focused attack seen in Week 1 while inserting productive rookie contributors into high-leverage roles. Denver's vulnerabilities in pressure and tackling create angles the Jaguars plan to attack. The edge rush matchups and how receivers fare against Denver's secondary will be decisive for the final result.