How the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB could stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst is 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 features live text for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , after recent talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit before direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
Denver boast the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra pass rushers instead they could position two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the field downfield side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really develop him how he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
