How the Broncos together with their malleable quarterback could stop the Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and following recent talk about two top teams being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
However it proved positive to observe that Denver quarterback the rookie managed to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers but they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly while new RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it eats up the clock and makes the defence to stay in play extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the field vertically side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up how he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are also the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
