Ways these Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' QB can end the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert and plays for the UK's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available through select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following last week's talk regarding two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions each committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter against Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always sending extra defenders but they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and new running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, and finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays great poise under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games at times and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up how he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
It depends on which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
