The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a dominant win against the New York Jets. They're now 10-4 with a chance to make the playoffs. Next on their schedule are the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos are a three-point favorite, and rightly so. They've won 11 in a row, and the game will be held at Empower Field. Then again, the Jags are far from a pushover. Since they're BYE, their offense has been clicking in all cylinders while their defense has bounced back after a midseason funk.
If anyone can challenge the Broncos, it's a 10-4 Jacksonville team that's exceeded expectations and is suddenly red-hot to end the season. Couple that with the fact that the Jaguars are relatively healthy entering the game, and they may just stand a chance.
The Jaguars ruled out 3 players vs. the Broncos
For Week 16, the Jags ruled out running back Bhayshul Tuten, edge rusher Jalen McLeod, and defensive end Danny Striggow, but all three were expected to sit out the contest.
Tuten underwent finger surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. However, he should return for the playoffs. Fellow rookie running back LeQuintt Allen could see his role expanded during his absence, but the Jags also signed DeeJay Dallas off the Carolina Panthers practice squad to add depth to their backfield.
Striggow left the Jets game with an ankle injury and sat out practice all week. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher is a key rotational piece, but B.J. Green II and Emmanuel Ogbah can pick up the slack.
McLeod began the season on Injured Reserve and had his 21-day window to practice opened after the win over the Jets. The Jaguars have routinely brought players from IR along slowly this season, and the rookie out of Auburn is no exception. He could make his debut in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Aside from these three, the Jaguars have all hands on deck against the Broncos. Josh Hines-Allen missed practice Wednesday but returned the following day. He's a full-go against the Broncos, and Jacksonville will need him to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage.
For this game, the Jaguars didn't elevate any players from the practice squad.
Related: 3 insane predictions for the Jags game vs. the Broncos
Jaguars inactives vs. the Broncos in Week 16
Here are the inactives for today's game:
• Bhayshul Tuten, running back
• Chuma Edoga, offensive lineman
• Hunter Long, tight end
• Danny Striggow, defensive end
• Maason Smith, defensive tackle