:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55431393/usa_today_9741880.0.jpg)
The second half of the season previews kicks off with the Broncos, who the Eagles will face in Week 9 before the bye.
Lost: T Russell Okung, LB Dekota Watson, CB Kayvon Webster, DT Sylvester Williams
Added: RB Jamaal Charles, G Ronald Leary, DT Domata Peko, T Menelik Watson
Drafted: T Garrett Bolles, DE DeMarcus Walker, WR Carlos Henderson, CB Brendan Langley, TE Jake Butt, WR Isaiah McKenzie, RB De’Angelo Henderson, QB Chad Kelly
Why they’ll lose to the Eagles
If the Eagles are going to win this game, they’ll need a great day on the ground. In 2015 the Broncos run defense was one of the best, but was poor in 2016. Between those seasons they lost three starters in the front seven, and this year they lost another two. A coaching change could help, but even with that, the Broncos pass defense is so great that the ground game is still the best way to attack them.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have struggled to run the ball under Gary Kubiak and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy has a poor track record when it comes to running the ball, so they should again have a poor rushing attack.
In the air, with a new coach and Paxton Lynch eventually in need of playing time, if the Broncos aren’t in contention for a playoff spot, they could opt to make a switch at QB by the time Week 9 rolls around and live with whatever lumps they’ll have to take.
With defenses looking to dictate the game for both sides, special teams could be a deciding factor, where the Eagles have a stark advantage.
Why they’ll beat the Eagles
The Broncos rush defense was weak last year, but their pass defense was so strong that it makes the Broncos overall defense one of the best in the league entirely on its own.
| Total DVOA | 1st |
|---|---|
| Pass DVOA | 1st |
| Pass TD% | 1st |
| INT% | 14th |
| Yards/attempt | 1st |
| Passer rating | 1st |
| Sack % | 3rd |
They’ve got a great secondary. They’ve got a great pass rush. It’s damn near unfair, and it’s easy to see how they beat the Eagles: make Carson Wentz have a very bad day. QBs averaged a league best 69.7 passer rating against Denver last year, and were fourth best in 2015.
If Paxton Lynch is even a mild upgrade over Trevor Siemian, and in Week 9 it’s quite possible he’ll be the starter by then, the already productive duo of DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders could be dangerous.