JACKSONVILLE -- It would have been devastating for the defending Super Bowl 50 champions to lose in Jacksonville, something that would have all but knocked the Denver Broncos out of playoff contention.
With Trevor Siemian out for the game with a foot injury, Paxton Lynch stepped up to the plate. Lynch owned only one NFL start prior to Sunday, and that start resulted in a loss.
With the help of his pro-bowl receivers and a run game that reared its head in the second quarter, Lynch brought his record to 1 and 1, winning it out over the Jacksonville Jaguars 20 to 10.
Here are five plays that encapsulate the Broncos victory.
1.) Run game rears its head.
Without CJ Anderson, the Broncos have faltered in the running game. Kapri Bibbs and Devontae Booker answered the call, but haven't always found the open lanes this season. Bibbs found a few, and Booker pitched in to make the running game a functioning facet on Sunday.
Bibbs established his longest run of the season and the game with a 25-yard pickup in the second quarter. That would lead to a touchdown rush by Booker
TOO STRONG. @dbook23 refuses to be stopped on his way to 6. #DENvsJAX https://t.co/yMC8wfWtaR
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
2.) Receivers pitch in to help out Lynch
Lynch is a young quarterback in his first year in the NFL, and his offensive line doesn't exactly help establish a foothold. That's where Lynch's receivers help pitch in.
Between Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, Lynch has some of the best hands in the league to catch his passes. They proved that on Sunday.
OKAY, DT!
What. A. Grab. #DENvsJAX https://t.co/GHwasn1STP
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
3.) Chris Harris Jr. makes his second interception of the year.
No points resulted from this play, but momentum swung in favor of the Broncos when Harris used his hands to steal the ball away from his man, then run with it.
Bortles looks down field for A-Rob...
But he can't hang on!It's PICKED by @ChrisHarrisJr! #DENvsJAX https://t.co/GJOeIUsBMg
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
4.) It wasn't all Broncos out there, the Jaguars made solid offensive moves at times, with Bortles and his receivers making a great effort.
Had a few more plays gone their way, the game's momentum could have shifted. The Jaguars did put the first points on the board, and were able to keep the Broncos' lead to just 7 in the third quarter with a stellar 22-yard run from Bortles.
22 yards to the HOUSE?!
Blake Bortles takes care of business on 4th down! #DENvsJAX https://t.co/99jita1cWY
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
5.) Defense wins the game.
Bradley Roby won the game for Denver when he intercepted a pass from Blake Bortles that Von Miller tipped. Bortles never saw Roby, and the defender ran it back for a touchdown.
Bonus points for Wade Phillips not being bowled over while celebrating the pick-six.
PICK-6 ALERT! @BradRoby_1 takes Blake Bortles' pass to the HOUSE. #DENvsJAX https://t.co/zbTkpMPscR
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2016
The Broncos currently lead the AFC in the hunt for a wildcard spot, and will look for another win against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday to continue that hunt.
Check out more coverage from the victory here.
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