How these Denver Broncos and their flexible QB can halt the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the amount of infractions each conceded. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to observe that Denver quarterback the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily rushing extra pass rushers but they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled significantly while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad that wants to run first, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes time and makes the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense must cover the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him how he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
