How these Denver Broncos together with the flexible QB could halt the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst serves as a football expert and plays for the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the amount of infractions each committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always sending extra defenders but they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program that the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled significantly while recent RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend 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 such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly develop him how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def
