PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles blew a fourth-quarter lead and lost their first game of the 2025 season, falling 21-17 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Here are our position-by-position and coaching grades from the Eagles’ Week 5 loss.
Quarterback: C+
Jalen Hurts had an up and down day. He had beautifully-weighted deep balls to DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley (and another that Jahan Dotson couldn’t stay inbounds on). He was sharp in the first half and the opening drive of the third quarter. Hurts struggled down the stretch, though, leading an offense out of rhythm. He also took a few sacks that were unnecessary.
Running back: B-
Barkley did well with limited opportunities. He had only six carries for 30 yards with a season-high 17-yarder on the game’s opening drive. He also had the 47-yard wheel route touchdown, torching linebacker Alex Singleton in one-on-one coverage. The one knock on Barkley? An illegal shift penalty took a fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter off the board.
Wide receivers/tight ends: B
The Eagles finally got an explosive performance from a wideout — and it didn’t take until the second half like it did vs. the Rams. DeVonta Smith popped off for 114 yards on eight catches. A.J. Brown had five catches for 43 yards and drew a pass interference in the end zone, though No. 11 stopped running on what could have been a 61-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Tight end Dallas Goedert also secured his fourth touchdown in the last three weeks.
Offensive line: C
The line protected Hurts well in the first half. But as the game progressed and the Broncos used more exotic blitzes and simulated pressures, the front struggled. Losing All-Pro guard Landon Dickerson to an ankle injury didn’t help. His replacement, Brett Toth, had a brutal holding penalty and allowed a sack. The line has some things to figure out through five games.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix celebrates as he leaves the field after an NFL victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix celebrates as he leaves the field after an NFL victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Defensive line: B
The pass rush had a solid outing. Za’Darius Smith had a sack. Azeez Ojulari, after being a healthy scratch the last four games, had a TFL and a QB hit. Jalyx Hunt forced a throwaway that should have been intentional grounding. But a Jalen Carter encroachment on fourth down led to a field goal, and the Broncos rushed for 130 meaningful yards.
Linebackers: B-
Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell had 12 and 11 tackles, respectively. But both linebackers seemed to have missed assignments or were out of position on a few critical running plays. Baun also picked up a ticky tack but inexcusable late hit penalty in the fourth quarter.
Secondary: C+
Quinyon Mitchell shut down Courtland Sutton in the first half. But the lockdown corner struggled in the fourth quarter, allowing three receptions for 64 yards to the Broncos’ top target. Mitchell was also flagged for a holding call in the end zone that led to a touchdown. Kelee Ringo started over a healthy Adoree’ Jackson and surrendered a two-point conversion. Starting safeties Andrew Mukuba and Reed Blankenship didn’t make any glaring mistakes.
Special teams: B
Nothing really to see here. Jake Elliott connected on a 31-yard field goal while Braden Mann averaged 39.6 yards on seven punts.
Coaching: C-
On the Eagles’ final five drives, the offense mustered three first downs and 2.7 yards per play. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was able to get Brown and Smith going early. But the Eagles were unable to build on a 17-3 lead. And those short drives made life difficult on Vic Fangio’s defense. The Eagles played bad complementary football down the stretch and had far too many self-inflicted mistakes. That reflects poorly on Nick Sirianni and his staff.
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