How the Denver Broncos and the malleable QB could stop that Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text of the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and after recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions each conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
However it was positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the top defender in cornerback their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos won that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers instead they could position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big while recent RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across 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 the blitz. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
When you constantly rush it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly develop him how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance 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. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
