Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos Picks and Prediction for Sunday September 20 2026

The Jacksonville Jaguars visit the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 PM ET with coverage on CBS. Jacksonville enters Week 2 at 1-0 after dominating Cleveland 34-10, while Denver is 0-1 following a 31-10 loss at Kansas City on Monday night. The Broncos are currently 2.5-point home favorites, with Jacksonville at +2.5 and the total set at 44.5 points.

Jacksonville Made an Immediate Statement

Jacksonville couldn't have asked for a much better start to the season. The Jaguars defeated Cleveland 34-10 while producing 360 total yards and averaging 6.4 yards per play. They didn't commit a turnover, converted 50% of their third downs and finished every trip into the red zone with a touchdown.

The defensive performance was just as encouraging. Jacksonville surrendered only 10 points and recorded five sacks. That pressure becomes especially important against a Denver offense that had significant trouble protecting the passer and sustaining drives in Kansas City.

Jacksonville now faces a more difficult road environment, but the matchup itself remains attractive. The Jaguars were dramatically more efficient than Denver in Week 1 and enter with the confidence of a 24-point victory. Getting points with the team that produced the much stronger opening performance creates value.

Denver Needs a Dramatic Offensive Response

Denver's 31-10 loss to Kansas City exposed several offensive problems. The Broncos generated only 176 total yards, averaged 3.7 yards per play and converted just 16.7% of their third downs. They also committed two turnovers.

Playing Kansas City on the road is obviously a difficult assignment, so Denver shouldn't be completely dismissed based on one performance. The Broncos return home and receive the benefit of playing at altitude, which helps explain why the betting market still has them favored.

The question is whether Denver deserves to lay 2.5 points against a Jacksonville team that looked considerably sharper. The Broncos need to protect the football, improve on third down and create significantly more explosive plays. Until they demonstrate those improvements, backing Denver as the favorite is difficult.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos Picks and Prediction

Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5

Take the Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5. Jacksonville won by 24 points in Week 1, averaged 6.4 yards per play and committed no turnovers. Denver lost by 21, averaged only 3.7 yards per play and turned the football over twice. Home field gives Denver an advantage, but the Week 1 performance gap is too large for me to lay points with the Broncos. Jacksonville has a legitimate chance to win outright, making +2.5 the better position.

Pick: Under 44.5

Take the Under 44.5. Jacksonville held Cleveland to 10 points and recorded five sacks, while Denver managed only 10 points and 176 total yards against Kansas City. The Jaguars should score more than Denver allowed them to in Week 1, but the Broncos haven't shown enough offensively to make me expect a shootout. A projected final around Jacksonville 24, Denver 17 gives us the Jaguars outright and keeps the game below the total.

Final Picks: Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5 and Under 44.5