How these Denver Broncos and the malleable QB could halt that Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on select stations for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the amount of infractions each committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it proved good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit before direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending extra pass rushers instead they might position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver could be this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and new running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to run first, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass all over, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems Payton likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a championship and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing above average, that's a good place to be in their division. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
