How the Broncos together with their flexible QB could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary is available through select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , following recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall before direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has excelled big and recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in positive situations.
This has helped QB the young passer, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw all over, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got great composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to stay on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense has to defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – 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 confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def