Ways these Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar , after recent discussion regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the amount of penalties each conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver won that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra defenders instead they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled big while new running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids make him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
