Broncos Must Win Early Against The Jaguars

Broncos head coach John Fox talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) in the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium (USA TODAY Sports)

An 0-5 team coming in to play the 5-0 Denver Broncos on the road, the Jacksonville Jaguars have absolutely nothing to lose. That alone, and not Maurice Jones-Drew or Justin Blackmon is probably the only thing that invokes any kind of fear into the Broncos.

The Broncos will have to take the Jaguars out of this game early on, not just to cement the win, but to give their starters a quarter or even a full half off. Consider this week an opportunity for half a bye.

The Jaguars have scored 51 points all season. The Broncos did that last week alone against the Cowboys. The week before, they put up 52 against the Eagles.

If the Broncos can head into the half with a four touchdown lead, it will be time to pull their starters and get the backups some experience. Most importantly, it will be time to prevent injuries and allow the starters some rest.

Too many injuries happen in garbage time. Look at Ryan Clady’s season ending Lisfranc injury against the Giants. He injured his foot in the final minutes of the team’s 41-23 win. Clady had not missed a game his entire career. It goes to show that no one is immune from those frustrating injuries.

Come week 12 or 13, players’ bodies really feel the brunt of the long physical season. One less half of football on the body could go a long way toward the end of the season and even into the playoffs.

Priority No. 1 for the Broncos on Sunday is to win of course. Priority No. 2? Do it early.

It could make a lasting difference.

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