Image Source: The Denver Post
17-0 was not the final score Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High, but the Denver Broncos still delivered the kind of dramatic response their season required. Bo Nix shook off an ugly interception and a sluggish first half to lead Denver past the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-13, on Sept. 20, 2026.
The victory moved the Broncos to 1-1 and restored confidence after their disappointing season-opening loss. More importantly, it showed that Nix, Davis Webb and coach Sean Payton could respond under pressure instead of allowing one difficult game to define the season.
A powerful fourth-quarter turnaround
Denver entered the final quarter trailing by seven points. The offense had struggled early, converting only two of 17 third-down opportunities across the season to that point. Nix had also thrown a backpedaling interception in the end zone after misreading coverage on a pass intended for Courtland Sutton.
But the quarterback became a different player late in the afternoon. Nix completed eight of nine passes for 88 yards in the fourth quarter, helping the Broncos score twice and control the closing minutes. His performance continued a trend that has defined his young career: playing his best football when the game is most urgent.
Nix finished with 22 completions on 31 attempts for 288 yards. He connected with tight end Nate Adkins for a tying touchdown and later found Evan Engram on a 17-yard reception that helped put Denver in position to take control.
Bo Nix answers critics after a difficult start
The Broncos quarterback was booed by the home crowd after Denver’s opening drive, and his early mistakes gave critics more reason to question the offense. Yet Nix remained aggressive and composed when the game reached its decisive moments.
“The close wins are just as important,” Nix said, according to The Denver Post. “They teach you how to overcome adversity and the challenges of the season.”
His late-game production also strengthened the argument that Denver remains a legitimate AFC contender. Nix now has five career victories after his team trailed by double digits, a total exceeded only by Josh Allen since 2024, according to the report.
That does not make Nix a finished product, and Sunday was hardly flawless. However, his ability to recover from a costly mistake gave the Broncos something more valuable than a clean statistical performance: evidence of resilience.
Jaylen Waddle sparks Denver’s offense
One of the clearest changes from Denver’s opener was the involvement of Jaylen Waddle. After catching only one pass in the previous game, Waddle became a central part of the offensive plan against Jacksonville.
Waddle caught eight passes for 138 yards, repeatedly creating space and giving Nix a reliable target on key downs. His production helped Denver move the ball against a Jaguars defense that entered the game riding a nine-game regular-season winning streak.
The Broncos reached the red zone five times, although their inability to finish early nearly cost them. Denver failed to score on three first-half attempts from the 1-yard line, leaving the team in a 10-point hole at halftime.
That missed opportunity made the comeback more difficult, but it also made the final result more revealing. The Broncos did not need a perfect afternoon to win. They needed discipline, patience and execution when the margin for error became narrow.
Tim Tebow’s return adds emotional backdrop
Tim Tebow was back at the stadium Sunday as Denver’s alumni flag planter, creating an emotional connection between the franchise’s past and present. The former Broncos quarterback was honored during the second quarter in a mini-reunion with the team and its supporters.
In a moment that reflected Tebow’s familiar style, the flag slipped from the pole during the beginning of his assignment. He recovered and finished the ceremony with a two-handed wave, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The timing was notable. Tebow became known for late comebacks and extraordinary fourth-quarter moments during his Denver career. Nix is not being compared with Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway or Peyton Manning, but his late-game calm evoked memories of the franchise’s more dramatic eras.
What the 20-13 win means for Denver
The Broncos avoided an 0-2 start that would have placed their playoff hopes in a difficult statistical position. Since 2020, teams beginning a season 0-2 had reached the playoffs only eight times in 51 opportunities, according to The Denver Post’s analysis.
Instead, Denver enters the next stage of its schedule with momentum. The offense showed that its partnership between Webb and Nix can function, while Waddle’s expanded role gives the passing game another explosive dimension.
- Final score: Broncos 20, Jaguars 13.
- Bo Nix: 22 of 31 passing for 288 yards.
- Fourth quarter: Eight completions on nine attempts for 88 yards.
- Jaylen Waddle: Eight receptions for 138 yards.
- Record: Denver improved to 1-1.
The phrase 17-0 may attract attention, but it was not the outcome in Denver. The meaningful number was 20-13, a comeback win that revived the Broncos’ confidence and reinforced their identity as a team capable of finishing strong.
Frequently asked questions
Did the Broncos beat the Jaguars 17-0?
No. The Denver Broncos defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-13 on Sept. 20, 2026, after trailing by seven points entering the fourth quarter.
How did Bo Nix perform against Jacksonville?
Nix completed 22 of 31 passes for 288 yards. He overcame an interception and produced his best work in the fourth quarter.
How many yards did Jaylen Waddle have?
Waddle caught eight passes for 138 yards, becoming one of Denver’s most important offensive contributors in the comeback.
Why was Tim Tebow at the Broncos game?
Tebow returned to Empower Field at Mile High as the team’s alumni flag planter and was honored during the game.
What is Denver’s record after the win?
The Broncos improved to 1-1, keeping their AFC playoff hopes alive after responding to their season-opening defeat.
