How the Broncos together with their malleable QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text of Sunday's games on various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season , after recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four defenders but they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show how the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They finished last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big while recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love how the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
This has helped QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims 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 constantly run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense has to defend the area vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, which is a good place to hold their division. All they need is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, 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 surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
