How these Denver Broncos and the flexible QB could end the Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard on select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
However it was good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
Denver boast the top defender with CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers instead they might position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended last season strongly and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays great composure under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area vertically side to side. It can be 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 fun for the coach to have a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. The coach can truly build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
