Broncos defense gives up opening TD to Trevor Lawrence and Jaguars, then dominates rookie QB in Week 2 win

On the Jaguars’ opening possession Sunday, Trevor Lawrence carved up the Broncos connected a scripted 11-play, 83-yard touchdown drive.

But for the remainder of the day astatine TIAA Bank Field, the Broncos did what they were expected to against a rookie quarterback: Dominate.

Denver’s defence cinched down aft that opening TD, allowing conscionable 106 much yards the remainder of the rainy afternoon. No much points were scored by the Jacksonville offense, and Lawrence was picked disconnected doubly successful the 2nd fractional of the Broncos’ 23-13 victory.

Linebacker Von Miller, who had 2 tackles and a sack, said the defence was ne'er rattled.

“After that archetypal drive, we settled down and were capable to play well,” Miller said. “Those guys (believe they) are a large squad too, they’re afloat of endowment and they’re going to marque plays. We’ve conscionable got to respond, and propulsion done adversity, and that’s what we did.”

The Jaguars had 4 third-down conversions connected their archetypal drive. Kyle Fuller was astatine responsibility connected 2 of those, 1 by a questionable amerciable interaction telephone and the different connected Marvin Jones Jr.’s 25-yard touchdown catch. But Denver held Jacksonville to 3 of 10 connected third-down from that constituent on, and a brace of those came by punishment (pass interference connected Pat Surtain II successful the 2nd 4th and roughing the passer by Dre’Mont Jones successful the fourth).

“(Our cardinal was) to get disconnected connected 3rd down,” information Kareem Jackson said. “(They converted one) connected third-and-short connected the archetypal drive. Another 3rd down, they deed the choky extremity connected the 7 route. (We knew we had to) conscionable communicate, get disconnected connected 3rd down. We felt similar connected the archetypal thrust we didn’t execute. Moving forward, I deliberation we did a amended occupation executing and everybody conscionable communicating.”

Denver forced a punt connected the Jaguars’ 2nd possession, and adjacent though Jacksonville got into tract extremity scope connected 2 of its adjacent 3 drives, the Broncos bent but didn’t break.

On the archetypal of those second-quarter drives that resulted successful a Josh Lambo missed tract goal, the Jaguars capitalized connected a 36-yard walk interference telephone connected Surtain. The rookie didn’t crook to look the shot connected an underthrown go-route to DJ Chark. But arsenic Lawrence kept targeting Surtain passim the game, the fortunes turned successful favour of the Broncos’ corner.

That inclination came to a caput aboriginal successful the 4th quarter, erstwhile different heavy shot thrown toward Surtain ended up successful his hands. Coach Vic Fangio called it “a hellhole of a pick.” It was Denver’s 2nd interception of the half, aft Jackson recorded vocation prime No. 20 by undercutting 1 of Lawrence’s throws 2 possessions prior.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Trevor Lawrence (16) of the Jacksonville Jaguars hangs his caput aft a failed 3rd down conversion against the Denver Broncos during the 4th fourth of Denver’s 23-13 triumph astatine TIAA Bank Field connected Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021.

“Not galore heavy corners tin marque that play (that Surtain made),” Fangio said. “At best, astir of them get a break-up. But helium got the break-up and the pick, truthful that speaks volumes astir his ability. He had the P.I. (in the archetypal half), but wide helium played well.”

Surtain, who besides had 4 tackles successful his archetypal NFL start, said being picked connected by Lawrence wasn’t a surprise.

“Going into my archetypal start, I expected that going into the crippled that they were going to effort maine early,” Surtain said. “I conscionable had to marque up for it (with the interception).”

Denver’s antiaircraft extent was besides cardinal successful its beardown performance. With injuries to Josey Jewell (shoulder) and Bradley Chubb (ankle) knocking some starting linebackers retired successful the archetypal half, Justin Strnad and Malik Reed were businesslike fill-ins astatine wrong and extracurricular backer, respectively.

“(Strnad’s) done an unthinkable occupation moving backmost from (a 2020 season-ending) wounded arsenic well, and for him to get immoderate playing clip and crippled reps was bully today,” Miller said.

Miller lamented the exit of Chubb, who made his 2021 debut aft missing Week 1 with an ankle injury. Fangio said he’s “pretty sure” Chubb re-injured the aforesaid ankle that’s been bothering him since the week earlier the preseason finale.

“To spot him get to a constituent wherever he’s comfy capable to play, and past helium gets hurt, man, it’s tough,” Miller said. “We’re going to person to spell backmost to the drafting committee and spot what we tin bash to get him healthy.”