The Denver Broncos are well aware of what kind of team the Philadelphia Eagles are and what they are capable of. And yet, the Broncos are embracing the challenges that the reigning Super Bowl champions present, including some things less tangible than others.
The Broncos are tapping into the Eagles’ energy.
More specifically, the Broncos have drawn attention for one decision that might otherwise be innocuous, but certainly stands out this week. And linebacker Jonathon Cooper is all about it.
Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper Looking for Statement Win
GettyJonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos sacks Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans.
Cooper praised the Eagles during an interview with Broncos reporter Elisa Hernandez on Friday. His teammates also spoke highly of the Eagles, who, along with the Buffalo Bills, are one of two undefeated teams entering Week 5.
Asked how he has prepared himself for the game, Cooper told Hernandez, “not missing the buildup. Not missing the moment, and just getting my mind right. Getting my mind right, getting my body right, understanding the challenge that we have in front of us. And then, just taking it day by day and getting ready for Sunday.”
Hernandez then asked what a win over the defending champs would mean for the Broncos.
“I feel like the statement would be that we are a force to be reckoned with, for sure. Taken more seriously across this league. A little bit of respect this way, which I feel like everybody kind of is getting to,” Cooper told Hernandez.
“It’s time for us to take that step. It’s time for us to take that to get to that level and us to be considered top in this league.”
Cooper and the Broncos were certainly not missing the energy in practice on Friday.
Broncos Channel Eagles Before Head-to-Head
GettyNik Bonitto #15 and Jonathon Cooper #0 of the Denver Broncos celebrate after a sack against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Denver Post’s Luca Evans noted the Broncos chose to play Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill’s hit song “Dreams and Nightmares,” which has become an anthem for the team, including during their Super Bowl run in 2018. The Eagles have an official fight song, “Fly, Eagles Fly.”
Mills’ song has become synonymous with the team, serving as a soundtrack in 2023 and 2024.
According to Evans, the Broncos played the song during the portion of practice open to the media on back-to-back days this week.
“#Broncos have played Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares” two practices in a row before their trip to Philadelphia,” Evans said in a post on X on October 3. “Here’s OLB Jonathon Cooper vibing along.”
The Eagles have garnered plenty of attention over their bread-and-butter short-yardage play, the “tush push,” but the Broncos are not overly concerned about it.
Cooper downplayed the significance of the play in the grand scheme of the game.
Jonathon Cooper Downplays Eagles’ Signature Play
GettyJalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles hikes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We all know why it’s difficult to defend. We’ve seen the tape,” Cooper told reporters in a video shared on X by Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason on October 3, acknowledging the controversy around the play. “Obviously, they’ve perfected it to a certain degree. But the football game ain’t the tush push.
“That’s not the game. The game is the zones and the play action, the passes, and stop and run, or getting after the passer and stuff. So, if I see a tush push, it’s whatever.”
“First and foremost, don’t get into short-yardage situations,” Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones said about the play, per DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens on October 3. “That’s with any team. And then, if it arises, man, just grab your n*** and try to stop it.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has also downplayed the significance of the push aspect.
“I’m one that looks at it, as long as the line of scrimmage is clean, that it’s a well-run quarterback sneak,” Payton said on September 30. “It’s more the technique of the sneak than the push.
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