On Pattison Picks: Will Eagles start 5-0 for the 3rd time in 4 years?

PHILADELPHIA – The last time the Philadelphia Eagles played the Denver Broncos was in Nov. 2021. 

Jordan Howard led the Eagles with 83 rushing yards; Boston Scott wasn't far behind with 81 yards. Safety Anthony Harris led the Eagles defense with nine tackles. Linebacker Davion Taylor was second on the team with seven. The Eagles moved to 4-6 on the season with the win.

Things have definitely changed since then.

Now, the Eagles are looking to make their third 5-0 start in the last four years. The Broncos, led by second-year quarterback Bo Nix, are 2-2 and coming off a Week 4 beatdown of the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals. Their two losses were both results of last-second field goals.

FanDuel SportsBook has the Eagles listed as 4.5-point favorites. Here's how our On Pattison staffers think Sunday's game will go.

Tim Kelly (3-1)

Score: Eagles 23 - Broncos 20

Game MVP: Jake Elliott

I don't feel great about the Eagles offense right now, and the Broncos are certainly a team capable of coming into the Linc and beating them. Lord knows Sean Payton has had the Eagles' number.

But right now, I struggle to pick against the Eagles because they keep winning.

Will A.J. Brown have 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the game? Probably not. Still, the Eagles have mastered winning close games, a trend that I believe will continue against Bo Nix and company, even if it's ugly.

Anthony SanFilippo (2-2)

Score: Eagles 23 - Broncos 22

Game MVP: Sean Payton - for not voting against the Tush Push

Because the Eagles will return to running it successfully after putting a couple fakes on film last week to make teams think about how to defend it again. I'm calling two Tush Push touchdowns in this game for the Eagles, along with some continued disjointed offense. But, the Eagles defense impressed me in Tampa against a good Bucs offense. Denver is underrated there, but it seems like the Birds defense is gelling even sooner than it did a season ago. There'll be another late game drive for Denver that ends with a big play of some kind for the Eagles that allows them to hold on and improve to 5-0.

Grace Del Pizzo (2-2)

Score: Eagles 20 - Broncos 17

Game MVP: Zack Baun

I cannot conceivably keep picking against the Eagles while they keep winning. However, this one will be tough. The Broncos defense has allowed just four touchdowns in four weeks, so I think putting up points in this one will depend on the Eagles' defense. If Zack Baun causes enough chaos, if Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell or known ballhawk Andrew Mukuba get their hands on the football, if Jordan Davis continues to wreck games, then the Birds will leave with a win.

If not, it could get ugly, because I don't think this is the game where the Eagles offense fixes itself. The Broncos defense is just too tough. The offense's turnaround will likely have to wait until next week's game against the New York Giants and their 29th-ranked defense.