How these Broncos and their malleable quarterback can end the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary is available through select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar , after last week's talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved good to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily rushing extra pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, however they lack the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible passing ability, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you consistently rush it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field downfield side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, that's a good place to hold their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges on which form Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
