11-game winning streak at Empower Field at Mile High. The loss not only ended one of the hottest runs in the league but also drew fiery criticism from ESPN analyst Troy Aikman, who immediately questioned the officiating in the key moments of the game. 

“This wasn’t a loss for the Broncos. This was a gift to the Jaguars,” Aikman said shortly after the final whistle, his frustration palpable.

“There were calls in this game that really altered the momentum in ways that shouldn’t happen at this level.”

Aikman’s blunt assessment of the officiating quickly ignited debate among fans, analysts, and former players — many of whom felt that borderline calls and inconsistencies contributed to Denver’s inability to regain control in the second half of the game.

Jaguars Pull Away Behind Lawrence as Broncos Come Up Short

The Jaguars entered the matchup as one of the league’s hottest teams, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered, finishing with four total touchdowns to lead Jacksonville to a convincing win. Denver’s offense, led by quarterback

Bo Nix, showed flashes — including an early tying score from rookie R.J. Harvey — but costly turnovers and missed opportunities ultimately proved decisive.  

Denver actually led in the second quarter after a 54‑yard field goal from

Wil Lutz, but Jacksonville relentlessly answered, scoring 34 unanswered points across the back half of the game. A late interception against Nix and a Broncos turnover earlier in the second half allowed the Jaguars to seize momentum and control.  

Officiating Under Scrutiny

Aikman’s comments centered on what he described as a series of whistles and non‑calls that favored Jacksonville at key junctures. While the NFL has not issued an official statement regarding the officiating, the debate quickly spread across sports media and social platforms. 

“You can’t have critical drives stopped by penalties that feel entirely discretionary,” one analyst echoed on Twitter, backing up Aikman’s call for greater accountability. “When every call matters like this, the perception of fairness matters just as much as the outcome.”

Though Jacksonville’s performance was strong on its own merits, many Broncos fans felt the momentum swings owed as much to officiating as to execution on the field.

Impact On Broncos’ Playoff Picture

Despite the loss, Denver remains 12–3 and atop the AFC standings, but the defeat narrowed their lead in the divisional race and raised questions about their postseason positioning. With only two regular‑season games remaining and a Christmas Day showdown against the

Kansas City Chiefs looming, the margin for error in the AFC West is shrinking fast.  

Head coach Sean Payton — while disappointed — emphasized the team’s need to regroup: “We’ve got to learn from this and clean things up. This is a tough league and we’ve got big tests ahead.”

Quarterback Bo Nix echoed that sentiment, acknowledging turnovers and execution errors as pivotal to the loss.  

Looking Ahead

As the Broncos attempt to rebound, they’ll face critical tests in the final weeks that could determine not just their playoff seed but home‑field advantage throughout the postseason. Whether Denver can shake off the disappointment — and the controversy — remains the story heading into the stretch run.

“Football isn’t decided by officials,” Aikman concluded, “but it certainly feels like tonight they played more than a supporting role.”