Ways the Denver Broncos and their flexible QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , after recent discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of penalties each committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall before lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They did not always sending more than four defenders but they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled significantly while recent running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw all over, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as finding varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the defence to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must cover the field downfield side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. He can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
