The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles welcome the Denver Broncos to Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday, and if you’re looking to build some DFS lineups, you’ve come to the right place. The Eagles are sitting pretty at 4-0 while the Broncos are trying to prove their 2-2 start isn’t just smoke and mirrors. With kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on CBS, this matchup presents some interesting DFS opportunities—and a few potential landmines that could blow up your bankroll faster than you can say “rookie quarterback.” Let’s break down the key plays, sleepers, and fades for this Week 5 showdown.
Lock of the Week
Jalen Hurts ($6,800 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel) – QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Look, I get it. Paying almost seven grand for a quarterback in DFS feels like ordering the lobster at Applebee’s—you’re probably making a mistake. But Hurts has been absolutely ridiculous through four games, and the matchup couldn’t be much better for him to continue his torrid pace.
The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 609 yards and five touchdowns without a single interception, completing nearly 70% of his passes. But here’s where it gets spicy: he’s also rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. That’s 44.8 rushing yards per game from your quarterback position. In DFS, that’s like finding money in your couch cushions.
Denver’s defense has been solid this season—second in points allowed at just 16.8 per game—but they’ve shown vulnerability against mobile quarterbacks. The Broncos rank eighth in passing yards allowed, but their run defense sits at 10th, and Hurts presents a unique challenge with his legs. When you’re getting 20+ projected fantasy points at a reasonable salary, you take it and run, literally, in Hurts’ case.
Start ’em
Saquon Barkley ($7,500 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel) – RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Remember when everyone thought Saquon was washed up? Pepperidge Farm remembers. The former Giants star has found new life in Philadelphia’s offense, totaling 237 rushing yards and three touchdowns through four games. He’s averaging 59.3 yards per game on the ground while adding 14 catches for 70 yards through the air.
Denver’s run defense ranks 10th in the NFL, allowing 99.3 yards per game and 4.1 yards per attempt. Those aren’t terrible numbers, but they’re not exactly elite either. Barkley’s projected 14.9 fantasy points on DraftKings make him a solid play, especially considering the Eagles’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders.
Courtland Sutton ($6,000 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel) – WR, Denver Broncos
Here’s where things get interesting on the Denver side. Sutton has emerged as Bo Nix’s favorite target, and at $6,000, he’s projecting 10.0 fantasy points with excellent value at 2.32 points per $1K. Philadelphia’s secondary has been decent but not spectacular—they rank 15th in passing yards allowed at 207.3 per game.
The Eagles have allowed five passing touchdowns through four games, which sounds impressive until you realize teams haven’t needed to throw much against them because they’ve been playing with leads. This game could be different, especially if the Broncos fall behind early and need to air it out.
Sit ’em
A.J. Brown ($6,000 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel) – WR, Philadelphia Eagles
This might be the most controversial take in this article, but hear me out. Brown is projecting just 7.4 fantasy points at a $6,000 salary—that’s barely over one point per $1K. For the same price as Courtland Sutton, you’re getting significantly less projected production.
Brown has been dealing with some nagging injuries and hasn’t looked like his dominant self from last season. The Eagles have been so balanced offensively that Brown hasn’t needed to carry the load. With Hurts running effectively and Barkley establishing himself in the ground game, Brown might not see the target volume you’d expect from a $6,000 receiver.
Denver’s defense has been stingy against the pass, ranking eighth in yards allowed per attempt at just 5.6. They’ve also surrendered only 186 passing yards per game. If the Eagles can establish their running game early, they might not need to rely heavily on the passing attack.
Fade of the Week
Bo Nix ($5,700 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel) – QB, Denver Broncos
I know, I know. The rookie has been better than expected, throwing for 861 yards and seven touchdowns through four games. But there’s a reason his salary is significantly lower than Hurts’, and it’s not just because DraftKings is feeling generous.
The Eagles’ defense at home is a different beast than what we’ve seen on paper. They’re allowing 22.0 points per game, which isn’t elite, but they’ve also been playing with leads most of the season. When teams get behind against Philadelphia, things can get ugly quickly.
Nix has also thrown four interceptions already, and facing an Eagles defense that has forced turnovers consistently could spell trouble for DFS purposes. The rookie quarterback has added 78 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground, but that’s not nearly enough to justify the salary when you consider the matchup difficulties.
Philadelphia ranks seventh in passing touchdowns allowed with just five through four games. They’ve been opportunistic on defense, and rookie quarterbacks in hostile environments tend to make mistakes. At $5,700, you’re paying for upside that might not materialize against a defense that’s been underrated.
J.K. Dobbins ($5,500 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel) – RB, Denver Broncos
Dobbins has been productive this season with 323 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 80.8 yards per game. Those are solid numbers, but the matchup and game script concerns are real.
Philadelphia’s run defense ranks 20th in yards allowed at 126.0 per game, which sounds exploitable on paper. However, the Eagles have been playing with leads, which naturally inflates rushing yards allowed as opponents try to play catch-up late in games.
If Denver falls behind early—which is entirely possible given how explosive the Eagles’ offense has been—Dobbins could find himself on the sideline while the Broncos try to throw their way back into the game. At $5,500, you’re paying for a player who might not see consistent touches if the game script doesn’t cooperate.
The Eagles have also allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season, ranking 11th in that category. Dobbins’ touchdown upside might be limited against a defense that’s been solid in the red zone.
This Eagles vs. Broncos matchup offers some clear DFS opportunities, but like any good DFS slate, the devil is in the details. Philadelphia’s home field advantage and offensive versatility make them attractive plays, while Denver’s pieces come with more risk but potentially lower ownership. Choose wisely, and maybe you’ll have enough winnings actually to order that lobster next time.
