Denver rode a Monday Night Football blowout of Cincinnati to surge fan confidence from 58% to 86% but now must prove they can win when it matters most as they visit the Philadelphia Eagles. The win highlighted both sides of the Broncos’ game, yet their lingering issue remains converting one-score games to wins as they chase true contender status.

Week 5 in Philly is a stern test that could define their ceiling. Leadership from D.J. Jones and Jonathon Cooper is stabilizing the defense, while Payton’s practice-focused approach is sharpening discipline. If Denver can translate momentum into clutch play and tighten the gaps in close games, the Broncos’ upside becomes real in a winnable stretch.

Denver opens 2025 with John Franklin-Myers as the glue of the defensive front, yet no extension in hand after this season. Denver piggybacks Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto with big deals, creating a tight cap path that could squeeze Franklin-Myers’ market value. The veteran remains optimistic, while the organization weighs long-term structure and potential restructures to keep him in a crowded line. A Bo Nix extension looms post-2026, further tightening the books and forcing hard choices for Denver.

D.J. Jones, a nine-year veteran defensive lineman for the Denver Broncos, previously played with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was a key contributor to their defensive line. Jones, standing at 6'0" and weighing 305 pounds, was drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Over five seasons with the 49ers, he participated in 61 games and established himself as a formidable force in the trenches with 126 total tackles, 7.0 sacks, and pivotal plays leading to three forced fumbles. His contributions helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl in 2021, underscoring his impact on defense.