How the Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Posted
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features live text of Sunday's games via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after last week's talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved good to observe that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, securing the game by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has stepped up big and new RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable situations.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to stay in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
