Ways the Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' QB can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents 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 on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this weekend.
But it proved good to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show that Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush 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, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths are his movement, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up how he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are having on offence is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in their division. The key is to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which 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, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
