How the Broncos and the malleable QB could stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes live text for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the amount of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to have the shortfall before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show how Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His strengths are his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area downfield side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. He can really develop him the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a championship and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. The key to do to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
