How the Denver Broncos together with their flexible QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
But it proved good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender in cornerback their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they might plug two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said during a show how Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and new running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team that wants to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
This has helped quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass all over, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, and using varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defense has to cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def