How the Denver Broncos together with their malleable QB can end the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season , following recent talk regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties each committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished last season well and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass anywhere, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, being able to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the opponent to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to cover the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. He can really develop him how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team good enough to face a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold their division. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
