Ways these Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar and following recent talk about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this weekend.
However it proved good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall before lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year well and excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they lack the mobility that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you constantly run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense must cover the field downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they must do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
