The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the 2026 season on September 20 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. It is an early-season AFC matchup between defending division champions, and it comes with a little recent history attached.
Last December, the Jaguars beat the Broncos 34-20 in Denver, a result that gives this meeting some built-in context before the teams even get to kickoff. The Broncos also enter the game after a 31-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in their regular-season opener, while the Jaguars are preparing for another road test in a season where they will play 11 games away from Jacksonville.
What the matchup means
Liam Coen described the Jaguars' mindset this week as “Anyone, anywhere, anytime,” and that fits the shape of the schedule. Jacksonville is set for 11 road games this season and 28 away games over the next two seasons, so games like this one will matter beyond the standings in September. The Broncos, meanwhile, will have no trouble remembering the last time these teams met in Denver.
Coen also said he thinks the Jaguars players have handled the week really well, which is a useful sign for a team trying to keep its focus on the next step rather than the outside noise. Trevor Lawrence spoke to the media on Wednesday, Travis Hunter on Thursday, and Coen on Friday as Jacksonville continued its prep for the Broncos.
From a broader view, this is exactly the kind of game that can help shape the early AFC picture. The Jaguars get an opportunity to show they can win away from home again, while the Broncos get a chance to respond after an opening-week loss and protect their home field in Denver.
Kickoff details
The Jaguars and Broncos are scheduled to kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET on September 20 at Empower Field at Mile High. It is an early spotlight game, but the more important storyline is simple: two division winners, one early-season meeting, and a chance to set the tone for the weeks ahead.
