Ways the Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB could halt that Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary for the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall before direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing extra pass rushers but they might position two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled significantly while new RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, being able to throw while moving, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the field vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as 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 build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, 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 a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def