How the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback can end the Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- 6 Comments
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features live text for the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary is available on designated networks covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , after last week's discussion regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the amount of infractions each committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved good to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing extra defenders instead they might plug two LBs in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up significantly and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a team that wants to run first, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible passing ability, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and using varied release points to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play for longer, and if you have 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 attitude, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to be in their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
