How the Broncos together with the 'play-dough' quarterback could end the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the number of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four defenders instead they could position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big and new running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass anywhere, however they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays great composure under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly rush it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to stay on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and it seems the coach likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements Denver are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they must do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
