Ways the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features live text of the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary is available on select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , after last week's talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the game 21-17.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra defenders but they could plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show that Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big and recent running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that Denver represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, and finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the field vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems the coach likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def