Ways these Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and plays for 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 on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and after last week's discussion regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the number of penalties both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it was positive to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always sending extra defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said during a show that the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up significantly and recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in positive situations.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes the clock and makes the defence to stay in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
