The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos (2-2) and Eagles (4-0) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. 

Offense 

The Broncos hope they found an offensive identity in a 28-3 home win over Cincinnati last Monday, when they rolled up 512 yards and Bo Nix threw for a career-high 326.  True, it came against a woeful Bengals unit that ranks No. 30 in the NFL in total defense. But Nix bounced back from some recent shaky outings. And running back J.K. Dobbins, who rushed for 101 yards against Cincinnati, looks better with each game. The Eagles routed Kansas City 40-22 last February in Super Bowl LIX, but their offense has been up and down this season. They are just No. 30 in the league in total offense, but are No. 7 in scoring offense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t always have glossy stats, but he’s 50-20 as a starter in his career. And while Saquon Barkley, with 257 rushing yards, is far off the pace of his 2,005-yard season of 2024, he remains an elite back. 

Advantage: Eagles 

Defense 

The Broncos have held offensive weaklings Tennessee, to 133 yards in the opener and the Bengals to 159 yards. In between, they gave up 473 and 376 yards, respectively, in losses at Indianapolis and at the Los Angeles Chargers. But the Broncos seem determined to have a big defensive game against a top foe. Having outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who has 4.5 sacks this season, and shutdown cornerback Pat Surtain II sure helps. Philadelphia’s unit has taken a step back, going from being ranked No. 1 in total defense and No. 2 in scoring defense last season to rankings of No. 22 and No. 15, respectively. But the Eagles can be stout when needed. They feature linebacker Zack Baun, a first-team All-Pro last season, and intimidating defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. 

Advantage: Broncos 

Coaching 

Both Denver’s Sean Payton and Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni have won Super Bowls, but the latter leads in the category of what have you done lately. Payton’s Super Bowl win came with New Orleans in the 2009 season, and he hasn’t won a playoff game since 2020 with the Saints. In addition to leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl triumph last season, Sirianni also went to the big game in the 2022 season. The wily Payton, 61, will no doubt have some wrinkles in an attempt to throw off Sirianni, 44. But Payton’s Broncos are 0-2 in 2025 on the road. Sirianni’s Eagles haven’t been nearly as dominant statistically as last season, but they are undefeated, a tribute to his coaching. They’ve won their four games by an average of 5.0 points, with all having been decided by one score. 

Advantage: Eagles 

Intangibles 

The Broncos have been vocal about how they believe they can play with the defending champions. They also could be 4-0, with both of their losses having come on last-play field goals. The Eagles have been outgained by an average of 81.8 yards per outing, but have won close games by making big plays when needed. It’s possible that playing on the edge so much could catch up with them. The Eagles figure to be helped by a raucous home crowd, and the Broncos are just 1-6 at Philadelphia since they came from the AFL to the NFL in the 1970 merger. The Eagles will be without starting linebacker Nakobe Dean, who has a knee injury, and had several notable players limited at times in practice during the week, while the Broncos have an overall healthier team. 

Advantage: Broncos