How these Broncos and the flexible QB can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and represents the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes live text of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and following recent discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it was good to see that Denver quarterback the rookie was able to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw all over, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
When you consistently rush it consumes time and makes the defence to be on the field for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
