Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen bring down Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. — AP Photo/Chris Szagola
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Bo Nix threw an 11-yard touchdown pass, and J.K. Dobbins rushed for a 2-yard score in the fourth quarter as the Denver Broncos erased a 14-point deficit to hand the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss of the season, 21-17, on Sunday.
The Broncos batted down Jalen Hurts’ last-gasp pass on the final play of the game, sending the Super Bowl champions to just their second loss in their last 22 games.
Denver (3-2) caught a huge break in their rally when the Eagles had a late fourth-down conversion called back due to an illegal shift penalty against running back Saquon Barkley. Forced to punt, the Eagles couldn’t mount another comeback. Hurts’ final heave on second-and-10 from the 29-yard line was knocked down as time expired, sending the jubilant Broncos into the locker room with an improbable victory.
Nix celebrated by waving his arms toward dozens of Broncos fans clad in orange near the visitors’ tunnel. He finished with 242 passing yards — a week after throwing for a career-high 326 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals.
Denver’s formula of a run-first offense and dominant defense came to life in the fourth quarter. Despite totaling just 199 yards and trailing 17-3 at the end of the third quarter, Nix ignited the comeback.
J.K. Dobbins, who followed up his 101 yards rushing against Cincinnati with 79 yards on Sunday, punched in a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make it 17-10.
The Broncos regained possession, and Nix connected with Courtland Sutton for a 34-yard gain on the decisive drive. He then found Evan Engram over the middle for an 11-yard touchdown.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton gambled on a two-point conversion, and it paid off when Nix hit Tony Franklin for the 18-17 lead with 7:36 remaining. The play stunned the Philadelphia crowd — a familiar gut punch after the Phillies squandered a three-run lead in a playoff loss to the Dodgers the night before.
However, the Eagles weren’t ready to surrender their 10-game winning streak easily.
On fourth-and-4 from the Eagles’ 49-yard line, Hurts connected with DeVonta Smith on a long reception for what should have been a first down. But a penalty against Barkley for an illegal shift wiped the play off.
Smith ended the game with eight catches for 114 yards.
That moment marked the end of the Eagles’ comeback hopes.
Will Lutz added a 36-yard field goal with 1:11 left, giving the Broncos a 21-17 lead.
Hurts finished with 280 passing yards. He threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert and a 47-yard touchdown pass to Barkley in the third quarter that put Philadelphia ahead 17-10.
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**Injuries**
– **Broncos:** RB Tyler Badie left late in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
– **Eagles:** Guard Landon Dickerson suffered an ankle injury, and tight end Grant Calcaterra exited with an oblique injury.
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**Up Next**
The Eagles will have a short trip and short week as they face the New York Giants Thursday night.
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