Tag: eagles vs

Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High.

Live updates

Pre-game updates

Scouting report (10:45 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Cowboys in Luca Evans’ scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, Broncos writer: Cowboys 28, Broncos 24

The Broncos’ performances offensively and in the penalty department have been enough to engineer fourth-quarter comebacks against Philadelphia and the two New York teams the past three weeks. Those three are, in order, 14th, 27th and 18th in scoring so far this season. Dallas is second. They’ve got two elite receivers, a resurgent Javonte Williams, a terrific and underrated tight end in Jake Ferguson and a quarterback in Dak Prescott who is playing at an MVP level. The Cowboys’ defense is bad and Denver’s is good, but all the same, a long dry spell or a continuation of the penalty plague will not end well this weekend.

Luca Evans, Broncos writer: Cowboys 31, Broncos 24

Denver’s dangled at the edge of a cliff for about three games now, and that ability to finish is both a skill and a cover-up for larger issues. The Broncos haven’t shown the ability to play a complete offensive game for — well, the entire year. Their underneath coverage got exposed against New York. Their special-teams play and general discipline are touch-and-go. Now the best offense in the league rolls into town, and Denver’s own offense hasn’t quite shown the consistent capability to win in a shootout (last Sunday notwithstanding).

Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 27, Cowboys 24

The way the Broncos are playing is not sustainable. Puntapalooza for long stretches, blown assignments, endless penalties, all erased by magical fourth quarters. They cannot keep winning this way. But they should not have to against the Cowboys. Dallas averages 41.3 points and 441 yards at home, 24.5 and 353 on the road. And for Dallas, D has been optional. If the Broncos cannot find traction against this group, then sound the alarm. A Broncos cornerback will post an interception for the first time this season, Javonte Williams will find no room to run, and Bo Nix will rediscover the middle of the field with Evan Engram.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 25, Dallas 23

The Broncos are the NFL’s ultimate Rorschach test. Are they good? Are they lucky? They’ve stumbled and bumbled, but they’re 5-2. When the offense stinks in London, the D bails them out. When the D struggles vs. the Giants, the offense catches fire. Belief is a heck of a thing. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are 1-3 on the road, where they’re averaging 24.5 points per game, and where old pal Javonte Williams sometimes looks mortal. Sean Payton is 5-1 against NFC opponents at Empower Field, and 3-0 vs. NFC foes at home in October. It’s OK to sweat the details, given the last two weekends of weirdness. Just don’t sleep on the trends.

Broncos-Cowboys NFL Week 8: Must-reads

Here’s how much postgame interactions with NFL referee Brad Allen have cost the Denver Broncos defense

The Broncos inside linebacker room paid a steep price for the sequence that immediately followed Wil Lutz’s walk-off, 39-yard field goal Sunday against the New York Giants.

Dre Greenlaw, of course, got hit with a one-game suspension for chasing and verbally threatening referee Brad Allen, according to the NFL, which was upheld on appeal. He won’t play Sunday vs. Dallas and is out $292,778 when combining a game check and a $90,000 per-game roster bonus.

Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Live updates

Pre-game updates

Broncos inactives (9:32 a.m.):

• QB Sam Ehlinger (emergency 3rd)
• RB Jaleel McLaughlin
• DL Sai’Vion Jones
• OT Frank Crum
• OLB Que Robinson

— Gabriel

Good morning (9:26 a.m.): It’s a beauty of a day here in Philadelphia where the Broncos will look to pull the upset on an Eagle team that’s won 20 of its past 21 games, including 18 straight that quarterback Jalen Hurts has started and finished.

Not a big surprise at this point but Jaleel McLaughlin’s got tennis shoes on and is hanging out on the Broncos bench.

Sean Payton says they consider the third RB spot each week, but doesn’t appear to be any change today.

Looks like Broncos DL Jordan Jackson is going through early warmups and rookie Sai’Vion Jones is in tennis shoes over in the bench area.

Jones got his first game action last week and Jackson was inactive. Might be going back to JJ against a run-heavy Eagles offense. — Gabriel

Scouting report (9 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Eagles in Luca Evans’ scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Eagles 26, Broncos 23

The Eagles haven’t really hit their stride yet this season and yet are 4-0. The Broncos haven’t really hit their stride yet — though perhaps Monday night was the start — and are 2-2, with a pair of brutal road losses. Those games matter Sunday in this context: Sean Payton’s team hasn’t learned to close away from home yet. Philly, on the other hand, has won 20 of the past 21 games it’s played over the past calendar year-plus. That and special teams could be the difference.

Luca Evans, beat writer: Broncos 24, Eagles 21

Let’s get a little crazy. Philadelphia has way overachieved its underlying offensive and defensive numbers this year, winning games with fantastic special-teams and red-zone play. The Broncos have one of the best red-zone defenses in the league, and their run game is rolling. Darren Rizzi’s special teams will face its test of the season, but if they play a clean game and don’t spring themselves off any linemen, the Broncos have a real shot here.

Troy Renck, columnist: Eagles 24, Broncos 20

This screams upset … if Denver were at home. The Eagles are vulnerable. Their wings are clipped in the passing game. They have an A.J. Brown problem. They had zero yards through the air in the second half last week. The Broncos could run the ball, take care of the ball, and shock the Eagles. But not in Philadelphia. The Eagles have won 11 straight home games, and haven’t lost there in 13 months. A special teams play will prove the difference.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Eagles 24, Broncos 21

With apologies to the great Reggie Jackson, Sean Payton is the new Mr. October. Since 2016, the Broncos head coach sports a 13-2 record, straight-up, in October road games. Like Tampa and the Meadowlands last year, nobody outside the Front Range gives the orange and blue much of a chance. Bo Nix and the Broncos found something on Monday night. Unfortunately, I think what they mostly found is that the Bengals stink.

Broncos-Eagles NFL Week 5: Must-reads

Renck: Eagles’ Tush Push is pain in the butt. Broncos don’t need it banned. They need it officiated better

The Tush Push is a pain in the butt.

This past spring, the NFL competition and health and safety committees wanted it gone. The NFL owners disagreed, defeating a ban by two votes. So when push came to shove, the play lived on. For now.

As the Broncos face the Eagles on Sunday, a persuasive argument can be advanced for outlawing the play. The easiest is entertainment. The NFL thrives on attracting eyeballs to television sets. While jokes and conspiracy theories remain about how the league is scripted, no one wants to watch a play that is automatic.