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DENVER -- It was a tough challenge for rookie safety Earl Wolff.

The fifth-round pick made his first-career start Sunday against a future Hall of Fame quarterback who is arguably playing the best football of his career in Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Eagles came out on the losing end of the 52-20 decision, but it provided plenty of lessons for the rookie.

"I think it was a pretty good learning experience. I missed some tackles that I know I can make. I made some mistakes that I know I can get better at," said Wolff, who started as Patrick Chung was out with a shoulder injury. "I can correct those. As a whole team, we have to be better."

Wolff was credited with seven tackles in the game and showed good instincts on a number of plays. Early in the second quarter, Wolff recognized the wide receiver screen and came up to make a nice, sure tackle after a short 5-yard gain to Andre Caldwell to make sure there was no yards after the catch.

There were also plays Wolff will want to review in film session. In the second quarter, Wolff took a bad angle and wasn't deep enough to defend a 52-yard pass from Manning to Eric Decker. In the third quarter, Wolff was blocked out of Demaryius Thomas' 15-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

"The thing with me and my work ethic is that I refuse to make the mistake over and over again. If I have to come in early every day to fix them, I will. If I have to stay late after practice every day, I will," Wolff said. "They are mistakes that can be fixed and will be fixed."

The mood in the visitors locker room was understandably somber after the loss. It is a feeling Wolff does not want to experience again. Instead of feeling down, Wolff is inspired to do what is necessary to learn from it.

"It makes you work harder," Wolff said. "I'm hard on myself because I know how good I can be. I'm going to be better as an individual."

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