How the Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can halt the Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , following last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always sending more than four pass rushers but they could position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program how Denver could be this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
This has helped QB the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, however they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he is highly agile.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def
