How the Denver Broncos and the flexible quarterback can stop the Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the amount of infractions each conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have that deficit and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet the Broncos won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four defenders but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended last season well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a squad that wants to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
