How the Broncos together with their flexible QB can end that Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes live text for Sunday's games on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it was good to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show how the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver are a team aiming to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and keeps you in positive situations.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and using varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to stay in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must cover the area downfield side to side. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having offensively is largely due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a good place to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def