Philadelphia @ Denver preview
Empower Field at Mile High
Last Meeting ( Dec 27, 2009 ) Denver 27, Philadelphia 30
The two most productive offenses in the NFL square off Sunday when the undefeated Denver Broncos host the Philadelphia Eagles. The Broncos have won their first three games by 16 or more points and scored 37 or more every game on the strength of Peyton Manning, who has passed for an NFL-best 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns without an interception. "Peyton's playing at an all-time high right now," Eagles coach Chip Kelly told reporters. "You couple him being at the top of his game and then give him the weapons he has, it's a pretty dangerous formula to go against."
The Eagles rank right behind Denver in total yards and have been the league's top rushing attack with LeSean McCoy leading the NFL with 395 yards and Vick adding 187 yards on just 18 carries. "Stop the run and then get after the quarterback, that's always our game plan going into each game, no matter who the team is," Broncos linebacker Shaun Phillips told reporters. "But with a guy like McCoy and Vick, those guys are very dangerous and they're capable of taking over a game at any time." The Eagles have won four of the past six meetings, including a 30-27 home win in the most recent contest in 2009.
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: Denver -10.5. O/U: 57.5.
ABOUT THE EAGLES (1-2): As prolific as the offense has been, Philadelphia has lost two straight and now faces three consecutive road games. The productivity has been offset by seven turnovers - including five in last week's 26-16 loss to Kansas City. The defense has given up lots of yards - especially through the air - and will have its hands full against Manning and Denver's dangerous passing game.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-0): Denver has won 14 straight regular-season games - the longest active streak in the league and one short of the franchise record - and has hardly been challenged this season. Manning and the passing game are scoring at a record-setting clip, and Knowshon Moreno (160 rush yards) leads a solid ground game. The defense has been dominant against the run and has offset its weakness against the pass with an AFC-best six interceptions.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Denver WR Wes Welker and TE Julius Thomas each have caught at least one touchdown pass in all three games this season.
2. Eight Philadelphia players have at least one sack.
3. The Broncos' 127 points are tied for the second-most in NFL history through three games.
PREDICTION: Broncos 41, Eagles 27