How the Broncos together with the malleable QB can end that Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the number of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
However it proved positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show that Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and new running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a squad that wants to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His assets include his movement, being able to throw while moving, and finding different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold their division. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they meet since Denver {beat|def
