How the Denver Broncos together with the flexible QB can halt the Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it was good to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending extra pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up big and recent RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that Denver are a squad that wants to run first, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and finding varied release points to make throws as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence must cover the area vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. He can really develop him the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith 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 the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the 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
