How the Broncos and their flexible quarterback could halt the Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary of Sunday's games on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar and following recent talk about two top teams as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the number of penalties both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to see 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.
The Broncos have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver could be this season's dark horses. They finished last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a team that wants to run first, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you constantly rush it consumes time and makes the opponent to be in play for longer, and if you have a mobile QB the defense has to cover the field downfield side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, that's a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do against the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
