Ways these Denver Broncos and the flexible quarterback can stop the Chiefs' rule.
Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the football calendar , after recent discussion about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests were the amount of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing more than four defenders but they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly and excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled significantly and new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a team aiming to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in positive down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, being able to throw on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the defence to stay in play extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defense must cover the area downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. He can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
It depends upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
