How these Denver Broncos and the malleable QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary for Sunday's games via various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing more than four defenders instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited 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 Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the field downfield and horizontally. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, which is a good place to hold their division. The key is is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a manageable slate until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
