How the Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the amount of penalties each committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four defenders instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year well and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled significantly and recent running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team that wants to run first, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in positive down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass while moving, and using varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great composure under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key to do to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
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 sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
