Ways these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features text commentary of the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary is available on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the football calendar , following recent talk about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit before direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending extra defenders but they could position two linebackers in the interior then drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end their tight end has excelled significantly and new RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His assets include his movement, being able to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to be in play extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the field vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to be in their division. The key to do to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
