How the Broncos and their flexible QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly and excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly and new running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad that wants to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw all over, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you constantly rush it eats up the clock and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence must cover the area downfield side to side. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
