In what should be one of the more intriguing matchups for Week 5, the Denver Broncos (2-2) are heading to the East Coast to begin their second two-game road swing of the season, taking on the Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) at Lincoln Financial Field (1 p.m. EDT, CBS).
The two teams have some history and have 14 prior meetings, with the Eagles leading the all-time series (9-5), including having won the last matchup in 2021 by the score of 30-13. It’ll be the first meeting in Philadelphia since 2017.
With kickoff fast approaching, we caught up with Brandon Walker of the Broncos Wire to answer five key questions, as well as a final score prediction.
1. Philadelphia has the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. What do Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper bring to Sunday’s matchup, and who holds the advantage?
This matchup will be one to watch. One of the things Bonitto and Cooper have done extremely well this season is using a speed attack on the edge. Bonitto is tops in the NFL in quarterback pressures, and he could come from anywhere. I think it’ll be a 50-50 split. Eagles will win some, while Bonitto and Cooper will win others. I know, that’s a cop-out, but I believe that.
2. The Eagles have allowed some big plays on defense, but they’re stout in the red zone, and Vic Fangio has dialed up the right defensive calls when it’s mattered. How will Denver attack this Philadelphia defense?
This game is a great meeting of the minds; Fangio brings pressure, Payton thrives off short screens and runs designed to mitigate pressure. I don’t know if the gameplan changes in the grand scheme of things, but I believe Denver will try and establish the run early, while mixing in well-designed passes and short screens.
3. What role will JK Dobbins play?
J.K. Dobbins will likely be the primary back come Sunday. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey switched on-and-off on drives, but I believe Dobbins will get the majority of carries from the Broncos backs.
4. Sunday will be about getting A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith involved in the game plan. Will Patrick Surtain travel at the cornerback position, and if so, which wide receiver does he trail?
Since A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts have not been connecting often early in the 2025 season, Surtain will probably line up against Smith at first, with No. 2 cornerback Riley Moss trailing Brown. If Brown gets hot, Surtain could switch onto him, similar to when the Cleveland Browns’ wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had a big game in 2024 off Surtain; late in the game, Surtain got moved onto Jeudy.
5. Where has Bo Nix improved the most in Year 2? Where can he be most successful against the Eagles’ defense on Sunday?
Bo Nix has improved in his vision. Although he has four interceptions on the season so far, Nix has seven passing touchdowns right now going into Week 5 in 2025. At this point of the season in 2024, Nix had four interceptions, but only one passing touchdown. If Nix can set his feet and deliver the ball in rhythm, on time to receivers, Nix will be successful.
Who wins and why?
The Eagles are a made field goal and a Travis Kelce drop away from being 2-2. That being said, Philly are the defending Super Bowl champions for good reason. They win these football games. This is a great team the Broncos are playing. I think the Eagles pull this one out, 30-20. Denver isn’t quite ready to hang with teams like this. I think they are a year or two away.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Behind enemy lines: 5 questions and answers for Eagles vs. Broncos
