By name, the Broncos secondary is one of the top units in the league. They have two All-Pro cornerbacks in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, along with Bradley Roby as a good nickel corner. Mix in Pro Bowler Darian Stewart and breakout start Justin Simmons, and it’s easy to see why Denver’s unit gets so much attention.

Meanwhile, the Eagles feel they have something special brewing in their own secondary, which was the on the opposing sideline from Denver’s on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Safeties Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins are one of the best tandems. Cornerback Jalen Mills is an ascending player in just his second season.

Mills said they wanted to show how good their secondary is since all of the hype was surrounding the Broncos’ unit.

“We said that in the beginning of the week. They call themselves ‘No Fly Zone,’ but we call ourselves ‘Gang Green.'” Mills said. “That’s what it was going to be — ‘Gang Green’ vs. ‘No Fly Zone.’ We get those challenges, you see us consistently, even with us being 7-1, people still doubt us.”

“They said we were going to lose. We just stepped up to the challenge, really not hearing the outside noise, but knowing what the challenge really is and how we have to go out there and play our best.”

Malcolm Jenkins is already viewed as one of the league’s most complete safeties. He is known for being able to tackle like a linebacker and cover like a defensive back. While he has received Pro Bowl recognition in the past, Jenkins feels it’s time for the secondary to get some respect.

“We are obviously a defense that’s on the rise when it comes to notoriety and what we’re doing,” Jenkins said after the Eagles’ 51-23 win. “We’re proving everything week in and week out. Coming into this game, all we heard about was the Broncos’ defense, and they’re coming to our house.”

Jenkins made it seem like the defense came out with a chip on their shoulder. They looked at their matchup against the Broncos as a way to show that they belong also.

“It’s one of those things that we felt like this is an opportunity for us to make a statement and an opportunity for us to showcase what we are as not only a defense but as a team, against a really good ballclub, and obviously we got the results that we wanted,” Jenkins said.

Safety Rodney McLeod came up with one of the Eagles’ two interceptions of Brock Osweiler on the day. McLeod also wanted to show that his unit deserves to be mentioned with the best.

“I think there were a lot of matchups that we were focused on. That was one,” McLeod said after the game. “They talk a lot about their secondary and they’re a good group, but we feel like we’ve been good up to this date. We’ve been playing well and getting turnovers, so we wanted to go out there and show what we’re about.”

McLeod felt the secondary had something to prove but also felt the defense as a whole wanted to come out and shine.

“Defensively too, as a whole. Coming in, we had the No. 1 rushing defense and they had the No. 2,” McLeod said. “There were a lot of matchups out there and a lot to prove today, and I think we did that.”

Defensive end Brandon Graham agreed with McLeod. He feels the defense is underrated despite playing a vital role in the team’s 8-1 start.

“They always don’t give us the credit, but we have to go out there and keep putting people on notice that the Eagles are new and improved,” Graham said as he smiled after the game. “We are out here trying to get these wins. That’s all we focus on, getting those wins.”