How these Denver Broncos and their flexible QB can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary is available on designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter against Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall before direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always sending more than four defenders instead they could position two linebackers in the interior then drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that Denver represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw all over, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are having on offence is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape 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 have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to be in their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
