Philadelphia’s offense flashed early against Denver, but a crucial misread by A.J. Brown transformed a potential dagger into a missed 61-yard TD and sparked a late Broncos rally. Hurts followed with big plays to Smith and Barkley, yet the offense stalled in the fourth quarter, leaving an inexplicable 21-17 loss in a game Philadelphia could have sealed. The setback raises questions about finish, run-game consistency, and whether Brown and the pass game can sustain elite production.

The narrative now centers on how the Eagles recalibrate their approach, balance, and playmaking to avoid another second-half collapse as they chase a championship-caliber trajectory this season.

Saquon Barkley’s illegal shift on a crucial fourth-down try and Jalen Hurts’ admission that the play clock slipped defined a tough Denver loss. A DeVonta Smith 30-yard connection would’ve put Philly ahead, but the penalty and a late punt left the Eagles with too little time. Barkley and Hurts owned the miscues; Sirianni urged team-wide improvement and faster operation.

Philadelphia lost 21-17 to Denver as the run game stalled at 11 attempts and Saquon Barkley managed only six carries. Hurts threw 38 times, while the offense leaned on the passing game to stay competitive. Self-inflicted penalties and a banged-up line limited execution, prompting coach Nick Sirianni to emphasize more carries for Barkley. With a short week vs the Giants, the Eagles face pressure to restore balance and protect their defense by sustaining drives and reducing mistakes.

Fantasy angles center on Barkley’s workload rebound, Brown and Smith remaining focal points in a pass-happy attack, and Hurts maintaining upside through the air. The Broncos’ front seven and Surtain’s coverage complicated Philly’s plan, but the team has the talent to bounce back quickly. Look for more balanced scheming and improved penalties discipline to regain ground in a crowded NFC East