Ways these Broncos and their flexible quarterback could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary is available on select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the football calendar , after recent talk about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the amount of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing extra pass rushers instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big while recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw all over, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, and finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. The coach 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 now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they good enough to face a top squad at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. The key 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 versus the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
