Ways the Broncos and their malleable quarterback can end that Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features live text of Sunday's games via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary is available through designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it was positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing extra defenders instead they might plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said during a show that Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up big and recent RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to throw while moving, and using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must defend the area downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really develop him the way he desires to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down 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 help you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key is is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends upon what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
