'Who Takes JAX Seriously?' NFL Coach Reacts to Broncos Getting 'Punked' by Jaguars

One NFL coach feels the top-seeded Denver Broncos suffered an upset loss in Week 16 at least in part because they didn't consider the Jacksonville Jaguars to be a serious threat, according to The Athletic's Mike Sando.

The Broncos had won 12 straight games at home, and 11 consecutive games overall, heading into Sunday before quarterback Bo Nix committed two turnovers in a 34-20 loss to Trevor Lawrence and the visiting Jaguars.

"Historically, Denver plays really well at home, so the fact they were not able to close out and actually got punked at home, maybe that tells you they did not take Jacksonville seriously," a coach from an opposing team told Sando.

According to Sando, the coach paused before adding, "The reality is, well, who takes Jacksonville seriously?"

▶️ Full Jaguars-Broncos Recap

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The Jaguars went into the matchup on a five-game winning streak, and Lawrence came into the game having recorded six total touchdowns against the New York Jets the week prior.

He built on that momentum by recording 279 passing yards and four total touchdowns at Mile High Stadium to help the Jags improve to 11-4 on the season.

Lawrence is now one of just four quarterbacks in NFL history to have recorded 10 touchdowns while committing no turnovers in the same two-game span.

Multiple Jaguars players mentioned their team getting a lack of respect from around the NFL after Sunday's win.

When asked if he felt his team would "get respect" after Sunday's win, Lawrence said, "No, I hope not, honestly. Hope we don't get any. So, everybody out there, just keep it up, it's great."

Cornerback Jarrian Jones meanwhile told reporters, "Keep doubting us. We're going to show up every Sunday, and you've got to play us."

The victory not only allowed the Jaguars to remain above the Houston Texans for control of the AFC South, but kept alive the team's hopes of wresting the top seed in the conference away from the Broncos.

Jacksonville heads into Week 17 two games back of the Broncos, and one behind the New England Patriots, for the top seed in the AFC.

The Jaguars could potentially put the Broncos at risk of losing their top seed by winning out against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 28 and the Tennessee Titans on Jan. 4.

The Broncos meanwhile have a short turnaround before a Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, who could be playing third-stringer Chris Oladokun under center after losing both star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew to ACL injuries.