Big Cat Country
The Jacksonville Jaguars head to Mile High Stadium on Sunday to take on the high-flying Denver Broncos. Here are three battles to keep an eye on:
The Broncos have benefitted from one of the best offensive lines in the NFL this season. Previously beset by injury, Bo Nix’s protection has managed to stay healthy in 2025, and the benefit to their second year quarterback has been obvious. Last week Denver faced probably their toughest test of the year hosting the Green Bay Packers, and they were watertight against fierce pressure; posting a league-best 91.9 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating for Week 15.
The standout star on Sunday – and perhaps most surprising for the Broncos in 2025 – has been left tackle Garett Bolles. Bolles didn’t give up one pressure the whole game and had a pass blocking grade of 90.9 himself. That elite level of play allowed Nix to tear apart one of the best defenses in the NFL to the tune of 300 yards and 4 touchdowns.
After a slow start to the campaign, Josh Hines-Allen has warmed up, and heads into Sunday’s matchup with seven sacks and a safety in his last seven games. Perhaps we can blame the early season lethargy on the Jags’ switch to a four-man front under Anthony Campanile, but Hines-Allen now seems to be back to his very best. He missed training on Wednesday due to an illness, but should be back for Sunday. The Jaguars will need to get pressure on Nix if they want to win this game and take another step towards the playoffs.
If you’re looking for an elite matchup on the outside on Sunday, then this game has the potential to deliver one of the best of the season. Jakobi Meyers has been a revelation since being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders after Week 9, with 355 yards and three touchdowns in his six games so far. It’s no exaggeration to say his arrival has helped unlock this passing game, with Trevor Lawrence enjoying throwing to his new weapon; Meyers has an outrageous 71.1% catch rate since coming to Jacksonville.
Meyers will have his work cut out for him against the Broncos. Patrick Surtain is widely considered to be the best corner in the NFL right now, and his level of play in 2025 backs that claim up; prior to a pectoral injury suffered in Week 9, Surtain had not surrendered a touchdown all year or allowed a reception beyond 12 air yards. His effectiveness is such that teams avoid throwing his way, likely the only reason he’s had just one interception in 11 games this season – which came against the Packers last week.
It remains to be seen if Surtain will travel with Meyers considering the Jags also have Brian Thomas on the outside for the Broncos to consider. But it will be worth a watch when these two go up against each...
