There are times when a team can prove it’s for real.
This is one of those moments for the Denver Broncos. On the road against the defending Super Bowl champions, who are also undefeated. You could make
the case that the Philadelphia Eagles are the best team in the NFL, and it’s not really close.
After a dominating win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Broncos could set up the rest of their season with a win this Sunday in Philly. For that to happen, Denver will do so as +4.5-point underdogs to the Eagles. The total sits at an over/under of 43.5 points, with a slight lean towards the over at -115.
A win this Sunday and the Broncos will raise more than a few eyebrows.
Offensive Rankings
Denver: Ninth in total offense (354.5 yards per game), fifth in rushing offense (143.3 YPG), 16th in passing offense (211.3 YPG), tied for 16th in scoring offense (24.0 points per game).
Philadelphia: Thirtieth in total offense (251.5 yards per game), 16th in rushing offense (113.5 YPG), 31st in passing offense (138.0 YPG), seventh in scoring offense (27.0 points per game).
Defensive Rankings
Denver: Tenth in total defense (285.3 yards per game), 11th in rushing defense (99.3 YPG), ninth in passing defense (186.0 YPG), tied for second in scoring defense (16.8 points per game).
Philadelphia: Twenty-second in total defense (333.3 yards per game), 21st in rushing defense (126.0 YPG), tied for 17th in passing defense (2207.3 YPG), tied for 15th in scoring defense (22.0 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Play a clean game
Facing the home favorites and what seems like a team that could repeat as Super Bowl champs, the Broncos don’t need to do Philly any favors. That means winning the turnover battle, avoiding costly/dumb penalties, and unforced errors. After playing the first complete game of the season, Denver built on what it did against the Bengals, albeit against a much better opponent this Sunday. But it starts with execution and everyone doing their job. — Ian St. Clair
Stop the run
Saquon Barkley is the key to the Eagles’ success. If he gets going, the Broncos have no chance of winning. If Barkley rushes for over 100 yards, that allows Philadelphia to control the pace of play and keep the Broncos offense off the field. It also makes life easier for Jalen Hurts in the passing game. It’s a monumental task, but the defense has to stop the run. — Adam Malnati
Prove you can win big games
Maybe they don’t prove it here on the road against the defending Super Bowl champs, but at some point this season. I really want to see this team win a game against a true contender in the NFL. Show us you can win the games that matter. I know they can do it, but we just haven’t seen it yet. Hopefully, they are close. — Tim Lynch
Establish the run and sustain drives
On Monday Night Football against the Bengals, we finally saw Denver put together a dominant performance on offense. Going up against an undefeated Eagles squad won’t be easy. However, it is a winnable game for the Broncos. Sustaining drives and winning the time of possession battle will be critical for them to achieve victory. The Eagles are giving up nearly 5 yards per carry through four games and rank near the bottom of the league in most run defense metrics. Denver rushed for nearly 200 yards against the Bengals. With that in mind, pounding the rock with J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey would certainly help dictate the pace of the game on the road in Philadelphia. — Christopher Hart
