Michael DiRoccoDec 21, 2025, 10:01 PM ETCloseMichael DiRocco is an NFL Nation reporter at ESPN and covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN and the Florida Times-Union. DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner.Follow on X
On Sunday, after beating the AFC top seed Denver Broncos 34-20 at Empower Field at Mile High, they said they don’t want any of it. And they don’t want anyone jumping on the bandwagon, either.
Payton referenced the fact that the Jaguars are a small-market team during a news conference last week, saying: “As you look at them and you watch the tape, it’s a smaller market but you see a real good team.”
“Just thankful that a small-market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done,” he said.
Sunday’s victory snapped the Broncos’ 11-game winning streak and is arguably one of the most impressive by an AFC team this season. That’s sure to change the narrative that the Jaguars, who have won six games in a row, aren’t legitimate AFC contenders.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has accounted for 10 touchdowns in the past two games, said he feels the same way.
“Hope we don’t get any,” he said after throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another. “So, everybody out there, just keep it up. It’s great.”
CloseMichael DiRocco is an NFL Nation reporter at ESPN and covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously covered the University of Florida for over a decade for ESPN and the Florida Times-Union. DiRocco graduated from Jacksonville University and is a multiple APSE award winner.Follow on X
“F— everybody but us. Excuse my language, dad, grandmamma, but f— everybody but us.”
Even a seemingly innocuous comment from Broncos coach Sean Payton.