ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Jaguars stand out in a number of different facets.
They've scored at least 25 points in seven straight games. They boast the league's best run defense. Their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, posted six touchdowns in Week 15 en route to AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
"As you look at them and you watch the tape," Head Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday, "it's a smaller market, but you see a real good team."
Yet as the AFC's No. 3 seed heads to Denver for a clash of two division leaders, the 10-4 Jaguars' success in winning the turnover battle may be most impressive.
"I think the one thing that stands out [is] they're plus-10 in the turnover ratio," Payton said. "They're second in the league in interceptions. ... They play man to man, but there's a lot of snaps, like last week, where seven [sets of] eyes are on the quarterback in their zone coverage. We've got to be on point."
Jacksonville ranks third in the league in turnover differential this season, and only the Bears have more takeaways than the Jaguars' 26 this season. In six different games this year, the Jags have forced at least three turnovers — including in each of the last two contests. Jacksonville is 5-1 in those games, and Payton highlighted the Jaguars' playmaking ability.
"You see the punch-outs, and then I would say generally speaking, in those zone coverages, they rush the passer real well," Payton said. "So, if you're hurried into zone-coverage throws, eyes are on the ball — and it's different when your eyes aren't and you're playing man."
Payton emphasized the importance of the Broncos being able to improve in the takeaway margin heading out of Denver's Week 12 bye, and the Broncos have either won or tied the turnover battle in each of their last four games. That total matches the number of times Denver won or tied the turnover battle across the season's first 10 weeks.
With just two giveaways in the last four games, Denver's offense has shown an ability to protect the ball — which will be critical in Sunday's matchup.
"I think they do a good job with just having vision and then punching the ball out," quarterback Bo Nix said. "It's just something to be aware of, but nothing to be scared of."
SUTTON PREPARES TO SEE OLD FRIEND
Nearly every week in the NFL brings a reunion, and Sunday's matchup against Jacksonville will feature former Broncos receiver Tim Patrick as a member of the Jaguars' receiving corps.
Patrick, who appeared in 55 games for the Broncos across four years before suffering season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons, will face his former team — and a friend in Courtland Sutton.
"My dog, I'm so happy for him," Sutton said. "… We talked a lot before he went to Jacksonville, before he made the decision. I'm just so happy for him. The dude's been through a lot in terms of injuries and just being an underdog. He has the mindset and mentality to overlook all of that and just go out there and continue to prove himself."
Patrick has caught 13 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns this season, and Payton said he's happy to see the success he's enjoyed this year.
"I love it," Payton said. "He just was a pro. Great to be around. … You're happy for those guys."
Sutton said he'll "1000 percent" swap jerseys with Patrick after the game.
"It's already locked in," Sutton said.
