Ways these Denver Broncos and their flexible quarterback could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and represents Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following recent discussion regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender in CB their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra defenders but they could plug two LBs in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said during a show that the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has stepped up big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to throw on the run, and using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it eats up the clock and makes the defence to stay on the field for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence must cover the field vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is running the ball, and that's precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
