How these Broncos together with the flexible QB could halt the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features live text for Sunday's games via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the football calendar , after last week's talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big and new running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team aiming to run first, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he's highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you constantly rush it consumes the clock and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. He can really develop him the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But 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.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. The key is to continue this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
