How these Broncos together with the 'play-dough' QB can end the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary is available on designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season , after last week's discussion regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily rushing extra defenders but they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show how Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a team aiming to run first, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass all over, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence must cover the field vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up the way he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (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 league started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City 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 West.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
