Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos 2016: AFC West Preview-Week Thirteen

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Paxton Lynch gets his second start against the Jacksonville Jaguars. How will he fair? Take a look at that game along with the other AFC West games.

Unfortunately, the Denver Broncos were unable to get a victory last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, which may ultimately cost them a playoff spot but it is too early to tell. Thank goodness the Broncos have another opportunity this week – one that will tell the NFL if this Bronco team is a legitimate contender or if they’re only pretenders. For my thoughts regarding the Broncos week thirteen matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as the other matchup featuring AFC West teams, please continue reading.

Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars:

I never thought this game would be a rebound game for the Broncos, but due to the 30-27 OT loss last week, that is exactly what this game is. The Broncos must come out and totally dominate in all three phases of this game to be considered a team that can make a playoff run.

Unfortunately, they will have to do it without their starting quarterback, Trevor Siemian, who is out due to a foot injury sustained in the Kansas City game. Paxton Lynch will get his second start of the season. Lynch’s first start was in week five against the Atlanta Falcons. For the day Lynch completed 23 of 35 pass attempts for 223 yards and one touchdown pass. That was the positive aspect; the negative aspect was that Lynch had one interception, two fumbles that were recovered by the Broncos, and the worst part was that Lynch and the Broncos lost the game 23-16.

A Closer Look at Jacksonville

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The Jacksonville Jaguars, while sporting a very disappointing 2-9 record, do have the sixth ranked defense overall allowing 320.9 yards per game (ypg). Jacksonville allows 204.3 ypg passing, which is good enough to put them fourth in the league, while their rushing defense is much less solid allowing 116.6 ypg which ranks them 24th in the league.

Regardless of the Jacksonville defense and where it ranks, the Broncos must find a way to have a solid showing offensively, which will be extremely difficult considering the aforementioned quarterback situation, and the subpar play of the offensive line. I don’t want to say this, but a victory against the Jaguars may have to come at the hands of the defensive unit, which is another area of concern.

I have to admit I think I have been spoiled by the Broncos defense the last two seasons and when the Chiefs got the ball down eight points with three minutes to go and no timeouts last week, I thought the defense would easily secure the win. Boy, was I ever wrong.

Has the defense been lacking?

For whatever reason, it appears that some of the total domination the defense once had, has disappeared over the last two weeks. Be it execution, or lack of, by the Broncos, or teams just getting better at attacking this defense, the team has recently been unable to stop teams when they needed to the most. Am I overreacting? Possibly, but that is what happens when teams lose games they should have won; or had great opportunity to win.

Will the Broncos win tomorrow? I don’t know. On one hand, I expect them to go out and totally dominate from start to finish because of last weeks game; on the other hand, I have a very strange feeling that the Broncos 2016 season may continue to spiral downward because of last weeks game.

Again, I think my feelings are natural when your favorite team loses a game because they didn’t take advantage of the opportunities when they had them. When week thirteen comes to a close, I certainly hope the Broncos find themselves sitting at 8-4.

Prediction: Denver 28, Jacksonville 17

Nov 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cardinals 38-19. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons:

While the Broncos were on the losing end of last weeks overtime thriller, the Chiefs got their eighth win of the season, and a lot of people will be watching how they follow-up against the Falcons. Will they build on the momentum or will they have a let down? For the Broncos sake, I am hoping for the latter!

The Chiefs have obviously proved they can play on the road and in hostile environments. Even though the Falcons play in a dome, which is typically louder, I don’t think the atmosphere in Atlanta will be a problem for the Chiefs.

I do think the 7-4 Falcons will be a problem for the Chiefs. Matt Ryan is definitely a top-tier quarterback and may have one of the better performances of the week. The Chiefs passing defense is ranked twentieth in the league allowing 260.5 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, the Atlanta Falcons passing offense averages 303.1 ypg, which is good enough to be the third ranked passing offense in the league.

With five weeks remaining, both the Chiefs and Falcons enter this game finding themselves in a dogfight for a division crown, as well as battling for playoff seeding. I am going with my heart on this one and hope the Falcons bring the Chiefs back down to earth by winning big, which would be a plus for the Broncos, assuming they take care of Jacksonville.

Prediction: Kansas City 21, Atlanta 41

Nov 27, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) carries the ball past Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half at New Era Field. The Bills won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders:

Last week the Raiders secured their ninth win of the season by narrowly beating the Carolina Panthers 35-32; a game the Raiders had in control but allowed the Panthers to make it close in the second half. The victory over the Panthers was the Raiders fifth consecutive win.

The Buffalo Bills, while having won their last two games, are sitting at 6-5 and in third place in the AFC East. The playoffs are not out of the question for the Bills, but at this point in the season, they are on the extreme outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. After traveling across the country to face the Raiders, the Bills will be at home for the next three weeks.

Derek Carr continues to roll on and no doubt, should be one of the quarterbacks in the pro bowl. Carr has thrown for 3,115 yards and 22 touchdowns in the first eleven games. These stellar numbers are good enough to rank him fifth in the league; second in the AFC behind Philip Rivers.

Could the Buffalo Bills slow them down?

The Bills passing defense may present a challenge, as they are ranked eighth in the league and are allowing 227.7 yards per game.

The Bills offense leads the league in rushing with average of 157.4 yards per game but are ranked last in passing (182.5 ypg). You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what the Bills offensive strength is but I have a feeling they will focus on the passing game against the Raiders.

The Raiders passing defense allows 273.5 yards per game, which ranks them 28th overall. Last week Cam Newton threw for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Raiders. Tyrod Taylor, the Bills starting quarterback, averages 191 yards per game and has thrown eleven touchdowns.

Oakland is picked to win this game but I am thinking this may be an upset. The Bills record at this point in the season is far from impressive, but four out of their five losses were by six points or less. The Raiders are getting lots of attention across the league and talks of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl seem to be more common. I am hoping Rex Ryan and his players use this as motivation.

Prediction: Oakland 20, Buffalo 21

Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) drops back to pass against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Diego Chargers:

Winners of their last three games, Tampa Bay (6-5) closeout their AFC West portion of their schedule by traveling to southern California to face the 5-6 Chargers. Tampa Bay is currently 1-2 against the AFC West and has a real good opportunity to improve to 2-2. Of course, for Tampa Bay to do that, Jameis Winston will have to rise up and outplay his counterpart, Philip Rivers. As is the case with most opponents Rivers faces, he is the face of the aging veteran, while the opposing quarterback is the young, up-and-coming quarterback. Week thirteen is no different.

While the Chargers probably aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they don’t have many lives left. A loss to the Bucs would drop them to 6-6 and most likely out of the hunt for a wildcard spot. Coach Mike McCoy, despite possibly feeling less and less secure with each loss, will have the Chargers ready to go. Even though this may not be a marquee match-up for week thirteen, given the quarterbacks involved, this may be a very entertaining game.

Over the years, the Chargers seem to put up a fight, even when the season seems to be over. For that reason, I am thinking they will find a way to beat Tampa Bay. If that does occur, the Chiefs will be the only AFC West team that lost to the Buccaneers.

Prediction: San Diego 31, Tampa Bay 17

Go Broncos – beat the Jaguars!

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