How these Broncos and the flexible quarterback could stop that Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra pass rushers instead they might plug two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has stepped up big while new running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in positive situations.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass while moving, and using different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
If you constantly rush it consumes time and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense has to defend the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. He can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down 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 better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a good place to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB 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 until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def