The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 20-13 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Empower Field in Mile High, turning a 10-point second-half lead into their first loss of the 2026 season. Jacksonville produced 115 offensive yards after halftime and committed a turnover, while the defense allowed 392 total yards. The result was also the Jaguars’ first regular-season loss in 10 games.
Head coach Liam Coen said the outcome reflected problems in all three phases, particularly during the fourth quarter. Trevor Lawrence did not throw or run for a touchdown for the first time since Week 3 of the previous season, when the Jaguars defeated the Houston Texans 17-10. Jacksonville also failed to finish several opportunities that could have helped preserve its lead.
“It really it comes down to in all three phases in the second half – specifically, the fourth quarter, we just didn’t win,” Coen said. “We didn’t win it. We didn’t coach it good enough. We didn’t play it good enough, and we did not finish.”
Jacksonville could not generate pressure
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 22 of 31 passes for 288 yards and had five completions of 20 yards or more. The Jacksonville Jaguars recorded no sacks after producing five in their season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns. Jacksonville was credited with three quarterback hurries, including two by Dennis Gardeck and one by Travon Walker.
Coen said the Jaguars will evaluate whether they need to rush more than four defenders. He also said Denver identified some Jacksonville blitzes before the snap and adjusted its protections. The Jaguars will need to create more pressure when they bring extra defenders, according to Coen.
“We’ll have to look at it and see,” Coen said when asked if the Jaguars may have to rush more than four defenders moving forward. “That [Denver] is a damn good offensive line. I don’t want to take too much away from them, but if we’re going to beat a team like that, then we’re going to have to create some pressure. They caught us in a couple blitzes that they identified pre-snap when we were going to blitz and bring more. They ended up flipping the protections to pick some of that stuff up. That’s something we have to look at as well in terms of when we’re bringing pressure. If they identify it, hey, can we get out of it, or whatever it is. When we do blitz, we got to get home.”
Dropped passes interrupted Jacksonville opportunities
Brian Thomas Jr. dropped a potential first-down pass in the fourth quarter on first-and-10 from the Denver 39-yard line. The play came one snap after Trevor Lawrence completed a 28-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers. The missed opportunity came as the Jaguars tried to respond late in the game.
LeQuint Allen Jr. also had an apparent dropped pass early in the third quarter with Jacksonville inside the Broncos 10-yard line. Later in the possession, Lawrence threw to Allen on third-and-goal from the 5, but Allen could not hold the pass while defended by Alex Singleton. The sequence forced Jacksonville to settle for a field goal.
Cam Little made a 23-yard field goal, giving the Jaguars their final points and a 13-3 lead with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter. Coen said Jacksonville would have gone for it if Allen had caught the third-down pass. The Jaguars did not score again.
“Those are all critical plays, and when you’re struggling to create and make a play, we need some of our guys to step up,” Coen said. “I have to put them in a better position to be successful as well.”
Late penalty helped Denver take control
Travis Hunter was called for interference late in the game on a play involving Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Coen was then penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after discussing the play with an official. The sequence gave Denver additional momentum in a game the Jaguars had led 13-3.
Jonah Coleman scored on a 3-yard run on the ensuing play, giving the Broncos a 20-13 lead with 7:24 remaining. Coen declined to comment on the penalty and said Hunter had played decently. Hunter said he needed to continue improving his positioning.
“I’m not going to comment on it,” Coen said. “I thought he (Hunter) played decent, and just said one thing and got flagged. It is what it is.”
“It’s football, at the end of the day,” Hunter said. “The refs call what they call. I just have to continue to work better. If I put myself in the best position, I don’t have to worry about the refs.”
Jacksonville missed a chance after halftime
The Jaguars took the second-half kickoff and reached first-and-goal at the Broncos 3-yard line. Lawrence threw to Allen on third-and-goal from the 5, but Allen could not hold the pass while defended by Alex Singleton. Little’s field goal gave Jacksonville a 13-3 lead with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter instead of a chance to extend the margin with a touchdown.
Coen said settling for three points was disappointing because a touchdown could have put more pressure on Denver. The Broncos eventually erased the deficit while Jacksonville’s offense managed 115 yards in the second half. The Jaguars also committed a turnover after halftime.
“Settling for three on that first drive up out of the half was disappointing,” Coen said. “I thought it was a little bit of a missed opportunity at putting some pressure on them to potentially go up 17-3, and then maybe you apply a little bit more pressure, make them throw it a little bit more.”
When asked what he would have done if Allen had caught the pass, Coen gave a direct answer: “I’m going for it.”
FSB Take
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first loss of the season came after they created a favorable position in the second half but could not finish it. Jacksonville’s defense did not sack Nix, the offense missed opportunities through dropped passes and the late interference penalty helped Denver take the lead. Those moments shaped a 20-13 defeat after the Jaguars led 13-3.
Coen’s postgame assessment centered on execution in all three phases. Jacksonville will have to address its lack of pressure, its dropped passes and its red-zone finish after allowing the Broncos to overcome a 10-point deficit. The loss ended a 10-game span without a regular-season defeat.
Source: Original report