How the Broncos together with the flexible QB can end the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. 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 executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and new running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that Denver represent a team aiming to run first, since you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it consumes the clock and forces the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a championship and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key is to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
