Ways the Broncos together with their malleable quarterback can stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes live text for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the football calendar and following recent talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
However it proved positive to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has excelled big while new running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in positive situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came 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 have powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, being able to pass while moving, and using varied release points to make the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can really build something up how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, 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 is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
