Eagles vs Broncos predictions. Our expert picks on Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown breaking out

PHILADELPHIA — It's hard to know what to make of the Denver Broncos, or the Eagles for that matter.

Denver is 2-2 heading into the matchup against the Eagles, who are 4-0, at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 5.

It should seem like a mismatch, especially since both of the Broncos' victories have been at home and both losses on the road. It's also a short week for the Broncos, who beat the Cincinnati Bengals 28-3 in a Monday Night Football game in Denver.

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Then again, the Eagles have won all four of their games by seven points or less. And the offense has yet to get untracked.

Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons between them, are both on pace for less than 700 yards, while Brown is posting cryptic messages about his satisfaction on social media.

Saquon Barkley is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, going against a Broncos defense that gives up just 99 yards rushing per game. And four of the five Eagles' offensive linemen are either dealing with, or still recovering from, some sort of injury.

It might seem like defending a Super Bowl championship is becoming a burden for the Eagles. That's why head coach Nick Sirianni said celebrating victories − no matter how ugly − is essential, and something they made sure they did after beating the Buccaneers 31-25 on Sept. 28.

Sure, Jalen Hurts went 0-for-8 passing in the second half, and the Eagles punted on five of their six possessions in the second half (the seventh ended with a safety to run out the clock).

"You gotta give yourself points for wins because we're going to feel terrible about ourselves when we lose," Sirianni said. "You gotta enjoy it ... You have to be able to celebrate that when we win."

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Which will be celebrating after the game? Here is how our experts see the game going:

Our prognosticators are Martin Frank (Eagles beat writer/columnist, Delawareonline.com), Greg Giesen (sports strategist, Delawareonline.com), Tom McGurk (sports editor, Courierpostonline.com), Tom Moore (sports columnist, Phillyburbs.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, app.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst & columnist, Northjersey.com), Tom Haines (Pennsylvania state planning), Brad Myers (high school sports writer, Delawareonline.com), Kevin Tresolini, (college sports reporter, Delawareonline.com), Michelle Ganassi (audience director & die-hard Steelers fan, Delawareonline.com), Tom Rimback (sports writer, Courierpostonline.com), Brandon Holveck (high school sports reporter, Delawareonline.com)

Martin Frank

At some point, A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley and company have to break out, right? The Broncos, however, provide a formidable challenge with Nik Bonitto third in the NFL with 4.5 sacks and the Broncos ranked first with 15. Plus, Denver has a lockdown cornerback in Patrick Surtain. The question is how will young QB Bo Nix perform in a tough road environment. This is where the Eagles find a way to rattle him, while doing just enough on offense to win.

The pick: Eagles 29, Broncos 24

Greg Giesen

For the fourth straight week, the Eagles are facing a team that made the NFL playoffs last season. It's a lot to ask any team to go 4-0 in that stretch. After the craziness of the Rams and Buccaneers games, you could see a letdown. On the other hand, you could also see the jump starting of the Eagles passing game after AJ Brown's cryptic social media message. I'm going to lean on the side of the passing game.

The pick: Eagles 24, Broncos 17

Kevin Tresolini

Denver has a short turn-around from playing at home Monday and a long trip, which certainly bodes well for the Birds. The Broncos have appeared rather average so far, a word that certainly does not describe the unbeaten Eagles. QB Bo Nix hasn't appeared as adept as he did as a rookie last year, though coach Sean Payton is certainly capable of bringing the best out of him.

The pick: Eagles 31, Broncos 24

Tom Rimback

As in Mark 6:11, the Eagles can 'quietly withdraw' after exorcising the demons of Raymond James Stadium. Maybe the team can quietly engage their passing game for AJ and rushing game for Saquon.

The pick: Eagles 40, Broncos 6

Brad Myers

I've stopped looking at the opponent and started picking the Eagles, no matter who, when and where they are playing. Like the tush push, it has worked to perfection so far.

The pick: Eagles 27, Broncos 24

Bob Jordan

Not good for the Eagles that the Broncos on Monday night suddenly looked like the 2015 Broncs again.

The pick: Broncos 21, Eagles 20

Tom McGurk

Beware of the Broncos. An AFC opponent after a tough, physical game against Tampa Bay and a short week ahead with Big Blue up next on Thursday. This has all the makings of a trap game. With that said, the Eagles are the best team in the National Football League and should find a way to win.

The pick: Eagles 26, Broncos 23

Tom Moore

The Eagles move to 5-0, but it probably won't be easy. Why should things change for the Birds now?

The pick: Eagles 30, Broncos 27

Michelle Ganassi

The reality is the Eagles have been consistent all season. They force turnovers and know how to take care of the ball. While the Broncos are strong on the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles' record will be 5-0. And so will mine.

The pick: Eagles 27, Broncos 17

Tom Haines

Amid Competition Committee debate over the Tush Push, Broncos coach and old Eagles nemesis Sean Payton came to the play's defense, saying it might be one of the safest plays. Come Sunday, Payton will regret not pushing for its ban as the Birds, who gave the play a rest last week, will again methodically execute in short yardage situations.

The pick: Eagles 30, Broncos 17

Overall records

4-0: Rimback, Holveck, Haines, Giesen, Ganassi, Myers

3-1: Moore, McGurk, Tresolini

2-2: Frank, Bainbridge

1-3: Jordan

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles vs Broncos predictions, expert picks on NFL Week 5 matchup