Ways the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB can halt the Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes live text of the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the football calendar , after recent discussion about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the amount of penalties both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to see that Denver quarterback the rookie was able to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra defenders but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show how the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, being able to pass on the run, and finding varied release points to make the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to stay in play for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems the coach likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly build something up how he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the success Denver are having on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
