Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram scores a touchdown in front of Philadelphia Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba (24) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA — Sean Payton had a game ball in hand and stories to tell after he passed his mentor and friend Bill Parcells on the NFL career wins list. The pair of Super Bowl champion coaches caught up recently and shot the breeze, talking about playing tough road games against NFC East teams.

The Denver Broncos provided Payton quite a new tale Sunday.

Bo Nix led the Broncos on three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, J.K. Dobbins rushed for a 2-yard score in the period and the Broncos wiped out a 14-point deficit to hand the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss of the season, 21-17.

“You’re not going to forget,” Payton said, “just these moments. Ultimately, that’s what you do it for. Making memories.”

The Broncos batted down Jalen Hurts’ last-gasp pass on the final play of the game to send the Super Bowl champions to just their second loss in their last 22 games.

“We just kind of had this sense that we just needed one drive. Let’s go down the field, one play at a time, let’s put a drive together,” Nix said.

Nix had a few of them in his fourth-quarter rally that helped Payton earn his 173rd win to pass Parcells. Nix completed 9 of 10 passes for 126 yards and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Evan Engram in the fourth to stun an Eagles team that totally collapsed over the final 15 minutes.

“This is a team that just won the Super Bowl,” Payton said. “So that’s a good win.”

Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner gave Payton the game ball for the coaching milestone.

The Broncos (3-2) caught a huge break in their rally when the Eagles had a late fourth-down conversion called back on an illegal shift penalty whistled against running back Saquon Barkley. The Eagles (4-1) were instead forced to punt.

Hurts’ final heave on second-and-10 from the 29 was knocked down as time expired to send the jubilant Broncos into the locker room with an improbable win.