Jaylen Waddle Breaks Out as Broncos Rally Past Jaguars 20-13.
DENVER — Jaylen Waddle delivered a breakout performance in his second game with the Denver Broncos, helping the team overcome a 13-3 deficit and defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-13 on Sunday. Waddle caught eight passes for 138 yards after recording just one reception for 2 yards in Denver’s season opener. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman also made a major impact, scoring his first NFL touchdown and finishing with 39 yards on 10 carries. The victory moved Denver to 1-1 and ended Jacksonville’s nine-game regular-season winning streak. The Jaguars had won their previous nine regular-season games by a combined 177 points, including a 34-20 victory over Denver last December. The Broncos trailed 13-3 early in the third quarter before their offense and defense turned the game around. Denver opened the second half with a field goal before Bo Nix connected with Nate Adkins for a 7-yard touchdown. Coleman then gave the Broncos the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run with 7:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. After Coleman’s score tied the game at 13, Denver’s defense forced Jacksonville to punt. The Broncos then relied on Coleman to help control the clock. He carried six times for 31 yards on the final possession, including a 12-yard run that kept him inbounds and forced Jacksonville to use its remaining timeouts. Nix praised both Waddle and Coleman following the comeback, pointing to Waddle’s confidence and Coleman’s understanding of the game. Coleman received an expanded role after J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey were unavailable because of hamstring injuries. Coleman played only three snaps without a carry in Denver’s opener. Jacksonville took control early behind Trevor Lawrence. Bhayshul Tuten scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, while Cam Little made field goals from 44 and 23 yards. Denver had opportunities in the first half but struggled to finish drives. Waddle’s 49-yard catch moved the Broncos to the Jacksonville 1-yard line, but Denver settled for Wil Lutz’s 20-yard field goal. Nix later threw an interception in the end zone to Jourdan Lewis. Little followed with a 44-yard field goal as the first half ended, giving the Jaguars a 10-3 advantage.
Jacksonville reached the Denver 5-yard line on its first possession of the second half but failed to score a touchdown. Little converted a 23-yard field goal to extend the Jaguars’ lead to 13-3. Denver’s defense then helped spark the comeback. Riley Moss intercepted Lawrence late in the third quarter, setting up the Broncos’ tying touchdown drive. Moss also played a key role earlier in the game when an illegal-contact penalty against him erased a strip-sack by Nik Bonitto and a recovery by Alex Singleton deep in Jacksonville territory. The Broncos entered the game looking to rebound after missing 28 tackles in their Week 1 loss to Kansas City. Their defense came through late, while the offense controlled the clock after taking the lead. The Jaguars could not generate another scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Lawrence finished the game frustrated with Jacksonville’s second-half performance. Tim Tebow was also honored during Denver’s home opener. The former Broncos quarterback returned to Empower Field at Mile High for the first time since his memorable overtime victory against Pittsburgh in January 2012. Tebow served as the alumni flag planter and was recognized as the Broncos’ “Legend of the Game.”
Injuries
J.K. Dobbins left the game with a hamstring injury after entering the season hoping to remain available throughout the year. R.J. Harvey was also unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
Up Next
The Jaguars will return home next Sunday to face the New England Patriots.
The Broncos will remain at home for a Sunday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
