Brian Griese will need nimble feet and quick thinking to avoid the Jaguars' blitzes.

Not only did the Broncos lose John Elway to retirement, but also two more All-Pros to injury, running back Terrell Davis and tight end Shannon Sharpe. They were major parts of Denver's offensive success and two consecutive Super Bowl seasons. Studying the Broncos offense, they lack the ability to generate big, explosive plays. Over the last few years, the Broncos were able to score early and often, putting their defense in known situations, where teams had to throw the ball to catch up.

Sharpe, the NFL's hybrid tight end, could play wide or in the slot and force teams into certain coverage schemes that would favor the Broncos. His absence hurts the Broncos' ability to attack downfield. When they had a lead, they would hand the ball to Davis. There is no longer Davis in the backfield. Even though Brian Griese is playing well, the big loss has been Elway's arm strength more than anything.

A few missing offensive players can really limit what a team can do. Even with the great offense Mike Shanahan has designed, and his ability to call big plays, the Broncos suffer tremendously without their best players to execute the game plan.

Now the Broncos are matched against the Jaguars defense, under first-year coordinator Dom Capers, one of the biggest stories of the season. The Jaguars have gone from a bend-but-don't-break defense to Capers' aggressive, zone-blitzing style, one that fits their defensive personnel. They acquired safety Carnell Lake, a tremendous addition because he played in the same scheme in Pittsburgh. He is a playmaker who can play safety, cornerback or linebacker and gives the Jaguars tremendous flexibility.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

47: Sacks for the Jaguars this season, the most in the NFL. That is 17 more than Jacksonville had all last season. 83.23: The career field-goal percentage for Jaguars kicker Mike Hollis, who currently holds the best mark in NFL history. This year, he has made 27 of 30 attempts for a conversion rate of 90 percent. 63: The distance in yards of Jason Elam's NFL record-tying field goal he kicked against the Jags last season.

Bryce Paup and Kevin Hardy are also versatile players who can move around to different positions. Combine that with a pass rusher like Tony Brackens, and the Jaguars have a variety of choices with their schemes. Gary Walker has been rock solid in the middle, a quiet, unsung player at defensive tackle. Fernando Bryant has stepped in as a rookie and shown he can play man-to-man coverage, a necessity in Capers' scheme. With Bryant and Aaron Beasley, the Jaguars have two very good corners who are tough and physical.

Even their special teams are outstanding. Special teams coordinator Larry Pasquale does a terrific job and is one of the NFL's best. I don't think there is a better punter in the game than Bryan Barker -- not only for distance and hang time, but also for accuracy and pinning teams inside the 20-yard line. Meanwhile, kicker Mike Hollis is having another solid year, making 90 percent of his field-goal attempts.

So looking at offense, defense and special teams, the Jaguars are a team with few to no weaknesses:

Here are the keys to Monday night's game for each team:

Denver Broncos
1. Run inside: The Broncos need to pound the ball efficiently between the tackles. Olandis Gary won't bounce plays outside and get big plays on the perimeter like Davis. Gary is more of a north-south, power runner. Running the ball well on early downs will be critical in order to avoid third-and-long situations, when the Jacksonville defense can really cut loose with its schemes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Broncos QB Brian Griese: The second-year quarterback has been named the starter for the rest of the season, as Shanahan looks to get ready for the 2000 campaign. Broncos WR Rod Smith: Despite leading the team with 53 receptions, Smith has only reached the end zone twice, and he has shown lapses in concentration. Broncos LB Bill Romanowski: A great game by the Broncos outside linebacker would be the perfect prescription for the Denver defense. Jaguars QB Mark Brunell: With three consecutive 300-yard passing games, the lefty is peaking at the right time. Jaguars RB Fred Taylor: The second-year back, who has missed around half the season with an injured hamstring, should see his first action in a month. Jaguars DE Tony Brackens: With nine sacks, Brackens is the point man for the league's top-ranked defense.

2. Offense, help the defense: The Broncos still have a very aggressive defense, giving up only 3.6 yards per rush and posting 36 sacks. But the problem is they keep playing games from behind. When a team plays from behind, it can't use as much of its defense. Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson has had to play a base defense most of the time, rather than his effective nickel and dime packages. The Broncos offense needs to try to establish a lead so the defense isn't on the field too long with its base personnel.

3. Pressure up the middle: Denver can get penetration from its defensive line and present problems for Mark Brunell. I'm 100 percent sure the Broncos will attack the middle of the Jaguars offensive line. By attacking the quarterback up the middle, the Broncos are also playing the run up the middle as well, which I believe is a sound approach. It might leave the Broncos more vulnerable on the perimeter, but it's the best way to break down Brunell. Against a timing and rhythm offense like Jacksonville's, the key is to get someone in Brunell's face.

Jacksonville Jaguars
1. Strengthen a soft middle: The interior of the Jaguars offensive line -- center John Wade and guards Zach Wiegert and Ben Colemen -- is the only weakness I can see in Jacksonville. They haven't played as well as I think they should play. If there is an area that is vulnerable, this is the one that needs to improve. I will guarantee that Robinson will send Broncos defenders on blitzes up the middle. If the three interior linemen are unable to handle the blitz, it could be a long day for Brunell.

2. Stay in rhythm: Brunell is starting to find his rhythm with his great outside weapons, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. There was a feeling-out process with coach Tom Coughlin calling the plays, and Brunell is beginning to understand what was expected of the offense. The offensive structure hasn't changed, but a coach has to get a feel for the player executing the offense and the quarterback has to get a feel for the coach calling the plays. Brunell is healthy now and is making plays on the edges. At midseason, his ribs were bothering him. He wasn't moving out of the pocket or throwing well on the run. He is making instinctive plays once again and not forcing throws. What I like about their offense lately is that they are attacking down the field as well as on the inside. Around the league people thought Brunell didn't like to throw the in-breaking routes. I can dispel that myth because the last few weeks he has thrown the square-ins and post patterns with great success.

3. Go after Griese: The Jaguars defense should keep doing what it's doing. Griese is playing well, but he is still a young, inexperienced quarterback. The area where Griese has made some mistakes is reading blitzes. He will see constant blitzing from the Jaguars -- zone-blitz schemes, Lake coming off the corner, Paup off the edges. The Jaguars will try to take Griese out of the game mentally with their onslaught and bump-and-run coverage on the outside.

Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski appears each week on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown and Edge NFL Matchup. He breaks down the Monday Night Football matchup each week on ESPN.com.