How the Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text of Sunday's games on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk regarding two top teams being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
However it proved positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast 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 contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always sending extra defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the defence to stay in play for longer, and if you have a mobile QB the defense must cover the area downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
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 without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
