Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made an interesting comparison when asked about Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. 

“He’s a lot like Baker Mayfield,” Fangio told reporters in Philadelphia on Tuesday. “I think (Nix) might be Baker’s younger brother. Really good. Really, really good.” 

The Eagles (4-0) host the Broncos (2-2) on Sunday in Philadelphia. Nix enters the matchup after throwing for an NFL career-high 326 passing yards and two touchdowns in a Monday night home win over the Bengals. He also ran for a 6-yard touchdown.  

Mayfield has been named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster in each of the last two seasons with the Buccaneers. The quarterbacks have physical similarities and play styles. 

“You just watch Mayfield and he’s a scrambler. He’s a competitor. He’ll throw the ball in tight places. He runs their offense really well,” Fangio said. “And I think Sean (Payton) has done a great job of bringing (Nix) along. They’ve got their quarterback for the future. They looked long and hard for many years. They got one.” 

There is shared history between Payton and Fangio, the ex-Broncos head coach (2019-21) who won Super Bowl LIX last season coordinating the Eagles defense. Payton’s father, Tom, went to the same high school as Fangio in Scranton, Pa. Payton also tried to hire Fangio as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. He said he has “a tremendous amount of respect” for Fangio. 

“Vic’s one of those guys who’s always stayed ahead of the curve,” Payton said. “You know you’re getting someone who is going to have a real good game plan that’s going to understand your strengths and weaknesses. You’re going to have to be on point with the details, and that’s one of his strengths, all the little things. …There’s more to this game than just our offense versus the Eagles defense, but there’s a tremendous amount of respect on my part for him and what he’s accomplished.” 

WR run blocking 

Broncos pass catchers flexed their run blocking abilities on Monday Night Football.  

Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant blew up Bengals safety Geno Stone on teammate Marvin Mims’ 16-yard reverse handoff touchdown in the second quarter. Veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton also pancaked Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. in the fourth quarter when running back J.K. Dobbins eclipsed 100 yards rushing. 

Sutton — after five catches for 81 yards and one receiving touchdown — flexed toward the sideline in celebration of his important block. The Broncos won 28-3. 

“At the end of the day, it’s imposing your will, that’s what running the ball does,” Sutton said late Monday night. “It’s you saying that we have the desire to run the ball, you got to stop us. And that is what we did today, and it was a lot of fun to be a part of. It was really good to see those guys get going.” 

The offensive line appreciates the downfield blocking efforts of wide receivers that turn modest run gains into huge run gains. The Broncos finished with 186 yards rushing against Cincinnati. 

“It gets me fired up,” right guard Quinn Meinerz said. “We let them know, when we see it on tape, it shows up. Offensive line, we’re first and second level. Wide receivers have got that third level. That’s when the really big runs start to happen, when that third level is taken care of. So, when we watch the tape and we see a wide receiver blocking their tail off, we all make sure to give an extra: ‘Hey, man, we love what you’re doing in the run game.’ … It opens up so much more opportunity for our offense.” 

Briefly 

Broncos defensive lineman Malcolm Roach is eligible to return from injured reserve (calf) against the Eagles after missing the previous four games. On Tuesday, teammate D.J. Jones said: “I cannot wait for him to come back, and I do believe it will be a difference when he comes back.”… Payton was impressed by cornerback Riley Moss against the Bengals. He gave up two catches on six targets with 25 yards allowed, per Next Gen Stats. Payton said that Moss was “outstanding” and “had one of his better games.” … Tight end Adam Trautman is familiar with Fangio’s reputation as a defensive mastermind. Trautman said: “Everyone is so disciplined. They’re funneling the ball to the right area to be able to bring whoever has the ball down.”