Ways the Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter 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 includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and after recent discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the amount of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
However it was good to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders but they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled big and new running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly rush it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to stay in play for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence must cover the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games at times and I think the coach appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to have a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working above average, that's a good place to be in their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def