Broncos QB Bo Nix topples Vic Fangio’s vaunted Eagles defense: ‘He’s a competitor’

PHILADELPHIA — The Broncos took one more step in proving they’ve got the right answer at quarterback. 

Call it another twist of the proverbial knife into Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio when Bo Nix stepped up on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field to help deliver a 21-17 victory for the Broncos against their former head coach. 

Remember January 2022? The Broncos fired Fangio after three seasons when the team tried and failed, multiple times, to identify a franchise quarterback.

Remember last week? Fangio compared Nix to Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and said the Broncos have “got their quarterback for the future.” 

“They looked long and hard for many years,” Fangio continued. “They got one.” 

Nix put a stamp on Fangio’s evaluation on Sunday with a Mayfield-esque performance in Philadelphia. 

The Broncos trailed 17-3 after three quarters. That’s when Nix took control.  

He went 9 of 10 passing for 126 yards in the fourth quarter with three consecutive scoring drives and 18 unanswered points. Denver led after an 11-yard touchdown strike to tight end Evan Engram and a successful 2-point conversion throw to wide receiver Troy Franklin.  

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) celebrates as he and his teammates leave the field after the Broncos defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17 Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Lincoln Finanacial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

“He’s a competitor,” coach Sean Payton said of Nix. “There were a handful of plays in the first half that I know he’d want back. … But that all being said, man, you can feel his leadership when it matters. And then you can feel the confidence with his teammates when it matters. So, he played exceptional in the second half.” 

Nix entered Sunday with just two career NFL victories against teams with winning records, including the Chiefs’ backups a year ago. Taking down the previously undefeated Eagles (4-1) is another sign of growth in Year 2 as the Broncos’ starting quarterback. He also didn’t turn the ball over in Philadelphia. 

“To tell you the truth, it’s not easy going out there (down) 17-3 and you haven’t had much success,” Nix said in his postgame news conference. “It’s tough to get things going. You want to have juice, but you just know what’s happened to you already. … We just needed one drive. Let’s go down the field one play at a time (and) let’s put a drive together. We stopped talking about points. We said: ‘Look, we got to go get a touchdown. Points are not just what we want. We want to go get six.’  

“We kind of spoke it into existence.” 

Nix specifically credited the production and leadership of Courtland Sutton in the fourth quarter. The veteran wide receiver made several key plays — including a 34-yard catch on third-and-long to move the chains — to set up Engram’s go-ahead touchdown. Sutton called Nix “a very passionate guy” who takes losing especially hard.  

“It ultimately motivates everyone around him,” Sutton said. “I tell him all the time: ‘You’re not doing this by yourself. But what can I do to be better for you?’ … To see him go out there and put together those drives, it didn’t surprise me, but it was really cool to be a part of it.” 

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) slides to the ground after running against Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) during the second half Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Lincoln Finanacial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

The Broncos (3-2) move ahead in Week 6 to play the Jets in London. The Eagles (4-1) and Fangio are the latest football victims from the rise of Nix. The Broncos, finally, have found their quarterback.  

Just ask Vic. 

“It proves that we can go on the road and beat these tough teams,” Nix said.