How the Denver Broncos and their flexible quarterback could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to observe that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra pass rushers but they might position two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program that Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has excelled significantly while recent running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver represent a squad aiming to run first, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw precision throws over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. He can truly build something up how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
