How the Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could end the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for the weekend matchups on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing extra defenders instead they could plug two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled significantly while new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (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 boasts exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you constantly run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the area vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key is is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
