The Denver Broncos found themselves with their backs against the wall at the end of the first half and a bit into the third quarter before they surged back to beat a tough Jacksonville Jaguars team to improve to 1-1 on the season.

Denver Broncos ride second-half surge to beat Jacksonville Jaguars

Trailing 13-6 with 1:36 left in the third quarter, the Denver Broncos were in need of a stop and some momentum, and it came at the right time. Cornerback Riley Moss intercepted Trevor Lawrence on a pass that was intended for Parker Washington. Ask for momentum. Get it.

Moss’s interception was the one play that swung things in favor for the Broncos’ second-half surge, outscoring the Jaguars 17-3. His interception helped serve as the catalyst for the Broncos finding their rhythm to play complementary football.

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense marched downfield afterward and scored, with Nix connecting with Nate Adkins to tie the game up at 13-13. From that point forward, Moss had another key pass break-up on 2nd down late in this game, followed by Patrick Surtain II getting a PBU on 3rd down.

Broncos rookie running back Jonah Coleman punched in his first touchdown score of his career on a three yard scamper, and helped Denver seal the game late with a couple of 10+ yard runs.

Outside of Moss’s big day, it was the Jaylen Waddle show, with Denver’s marquee off-season addition hauling in eight catches on 10 targets for 138 yards, including several big gains on third down to keep the Broncos offense moving.

Nix and the offense shook off a rough start in the first half, and he ended up finishing the second half 11-of-15 for 132 yards, and a passer rating of 122.1, and finished the game with 288 yards passing on 22-of-31 passing and a passer rating of 97.2. The Broncos offense rushed for 104 yards against a stout Jaguars front.

Denver’s defense registered two sacks against Jacksonville, with Malcolm Roach and Que Robinson getting home, while Zach Allen created various pressure looks throughout the day. They forced Trevor Lawrence to finish the game 17-of-29 passing for 189 yards, one interception, and a passer rating of 63.7.

Broncos game notes

  • The Broncos were penalized 10 times on Sunday.
  • Denver’s offense finished with 392 yards of offense, while the defense held the Jaguars to 268 net yards.
  • Riley Moss finished the game with three passes defensed, one interception, and two tackles.
  • Denver’s offense finished the game 4-of-11 on third down, while the defense held the Jaguars to 5-of-12 on third down.
  • RB J.K. Dobbins had a hamstring injury and did not finish the game, but was on the sideline in gear for the remainder of the game.