Broncos-Eagles first quarter update: Denver still has a quarterback problem

The Denver Broncos won the opening coin toss and elected to receive the ball first, which was kind of an odd choice given how anemic their offense has been. The last thing you want to do is give the Philadelphia Eagles the early momentum in this game.

On their opening possession, the Eagles crowded the line with what looked like nine defenders and Brock Osweiler burned them on first down on a pass to Demaryius Thomas for 12 yards and a quick first down.

Osweiler stood in the pocket and took the hit to deliver the throw to Thomas. It was nice to see a quarterback who didn’t back peddle from the snap to throw.

From there, C.J. Anderson would gain four yards on first down and another three on second down after getting hit in the backfield ad breaking through for positive yardage. On third down, Osweiler threw high to Emmanuel Sanders who was held on the play for a penalty and a first down just past midfield.

After a three yard run from Anderson on first down, Osweiler hit Cody Latimer on a deep crossing route for a huge 20 yard gain and into field goal range.

Another handoff to Anderson on first down nets three yards. On second down, Osweiler hit Thomas for a near first down, but a holding call pushed the Broncos back 10 yards for a second and very long.

Osweiler would then make a terrible throw to Sanders outside that was nearly intercepted for what could have been a pick six. On third and 17, Osweiler hit Sanders short of the sticks who would drop the pass.

Brandon McManus from 52-yards out would bang the kick through to give the Broncos an early lead.

Broncos 3, Eagles 0.

On the Eagles first possession, they would open up trying to confuse the defense but Brandon Marshall nearly intercepted Carson Wentz’s first pass to Brent Celek. On second down, LeGarrett Blound was stood up after a one-yard gain. From there, the Broncos pinned their ears back on Wentz with an all-out blitz, but protection held up and Wentz hit Trey Burton on a slant for a 14-yard gain and a first down.

After a nine yard pass completion to Celek, Shane Ray jumped offsides to give the Eagles a first down across midfield.

Back to back four yard runs setup a third and two just inside of field goal range for the Eagles. Wentz would be flushed out of the pocket and threw the ball incomplete, but Aqib Talib would be called for defensive holding to keep the Eagles drive alive.

Talib got burned on the very next play on a go route from Alshon Jeffery for a touchdown to give the Eagles the lead.

Eagles 7, Broncos 3.

Devontae Booker took the ball out of the end zone and was tackled before he reached the 18-yard line. A block in the back penalty set the Broncos up at their own 8 yard line to start their next drive.

A neutral zone infraction gave the Broncos five yards back, but Anderson was injured on his next carry after being sandwiched by two defenders two yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Jamaal Charles saw his first action on the next play, but the Eagles defenders are in the backfield on back to back plays. On third and 8, Bolles had himself another penalty on the play - that time a false start.

Osweiler and the Broncos had no shot from their own end zone. His checkdown pass to Charles would go for five yards and a Broncos punt.

Eagles, with great field position near midfield, would look to add to their 7-3 lead. Wentz discovered that Talib is off his game in this one and began picking on him with a quick first down pass and then hit Celek for another 15 yards putting the Eagles back into field goal range.

After an incompletion deep in the end zone and a three yard run from Blount, Wentz and the Eagles would face a third and seven. Jeffery would get hit as the ball arrived to end the drive for the Eagles.

From 45-yards out, Jake Elliot would extend the lead for the Eagles.

Eagles 10, Broncos 3.

On first down, Osweiler tried to hit Thomas over the middle and was picked off to give the Eagles the ball right back. The Broncos defense quickly forced the Eagles into a third and 10, but Wentz would hit Corey Clement on a screen pass who would take it in for the touchdown.

Eagles 17, Broncos 3.

Not exactly the kind of start that Osweiler and the Broncos hoped for.