Ways these Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst is an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the amount of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading 17-3 going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to see how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders but they could position two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show that Denver could be this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled big and recent running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in positive situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass anywhere, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and finding varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing offensively is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to be in their division. The key is is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
