Mile High Report
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.
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).
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.
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
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
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...
