How the Denver Broncos and the malleable QB can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Ex NFL team coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the amount of penalties each committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver boast the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver won that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders but they could position two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and new running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a team that wants to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, the capacity to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great poise under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. He can truly build something up how he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need is to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
