The offensive woes that have plagued the Denver Broncos early in games didn’t get much relief from a new quarterback, as Paxton Lynch was unable to generate much in his second NFL start. Still, Denver took a 10-3 lead into the locker room at the half thanks to a rushing game that began showing signs of life in the in the second quarter and some fortuitous penalties in their favor.
The Broncos, who rank last in the NFL in first-quarter points, again went scoreless in the game’s first 15 minutes. Denver punted on their first four drives of the game. Lynch completed 9-of-16 passes for 79 yards and was sacked once in the first half.
Lynch had a few opportunities to make plays, but missed open receivers on more than one occasion. His biggest chance came on an underthrown ball to Demaryius Thomas in the second quarter. Jacksonville bailed Denver out on that same drive with a roughing the passer penalty on third down. Kapri Bibbs broke loose on a pair of big runs (24 and 13 yards) later in the drive to set up a 6-yard Devontae Booker touchdown run.
Jacksonville did very little on offense themselves, punting three times and giving away the ball on an interception by Chris Harris. Their only offensive success came on a 30-yard drive that began at their own 41-yard line.
The Denver defense tried to give the offense a jump when Chris Harris Jr. intercepted Blake Bortles and returned the ball to midfield, but Lynch and the offense went three-and-out on the ensuing possession. Lynch badly overthrew Jordan Norwood on third down to force Denver’s fifth punt of the quarter.
Jacksonville punted again on their final possession and Kalif Raymond, who was signed off the practice squad this week, had a nice return and took a late hit out of bounds to give Denver good field position. Lynch hit Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas with completions to give Brandon McManus a 32-yard field goal to extend the lead.
Here’s what the team from Mile High Sports and some of our favorite follows in the Denver media had to say about the offensive output in the first half…
First quarters have not been kind to #Broncos O. league low 23 points.. Start w three-and-out. @DenverChannel #DENvsJAX
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
Three-and-out. Lynch had Sanders on third down but just missed too far outside a diving Sanders. Lynch 0-for-2 on the drive.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 4, 2016
Broncos and Jaguars completed 9 passes! https://t.co/aqWtzt1V88
— Mark Haas (@markhaastv) December 4, 2016
Through 1Q, Broncos lead Jags 3-2. (First down scoring system in place until actual scoring takes place.)
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) December 4, 2016
#Broncos 1 of 4 on third down. No rhythm on offense yet. #DENvsJAX @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
Whether it's Siemian or Lynch, at least the offensive line is consistent. Consistently bad, but still consistent.
Wait. https://t.co/2JsbUNgPXG
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 4, 2016
This looks like an insurmountable lead the way things are going. . . . 0-3
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) December 4, 2016
D.T. beat Jalen Ramsey there, but Paxton Lynch has to put more air under the ball and it might be a TD.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 4, 2016
#Broncos entered game ranked third with 37 three-and-out drives. This game not helping … #DENvsJAX @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
Kapri Bibbs has been giving the Broncos more burst in run game. Gotta get him more touches.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 4, 2016
Kapri does the bulk of the work, Booker gets the reward. Okay, with a helluva bull-like run. A little thunder & lightning there. #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) December 4, 2016
Booker in for the TD… Credit Okung and Schofield for the extra effort on the push and pull into paydirt… 7-3 #Broncos take the lead.
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) December 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/805486033865474048
There were two entire games this season when the Broncos didn't run for as many yards as they ran for on that single drive (53).
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 4, 2016
@broncos backs and o-line playing with some violence now. In this game, that's a good thing. #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) December 4, 2016
Not getting points on that drive is inexcusable… Lynch sailed ball on third down… Needed A FG after the pick. #DENvsJAX @DenverChannel
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 4, 2016
Solid return by Kalif Raymond + late hit penalty puts Broncos in prime position to get a FG before half.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 4, 2016
Two big penalties on the Jags led to points for the Broncos. Denver running game looks decent with 76 yards on 14 carries and a TD #4Broncos
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) December 4, 2016