Ways the Denver Broncos together with the flexible QB could stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and following recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved positive to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well and excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled significantly while new running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love how the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to stay in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. He can really build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
