How these Denver Broncos together with their malleable quarterback can end the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary of Sunday's games on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , after last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they might plug two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big and recent running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB 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 Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths include his movement, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it consumes time and makes the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a solid position to hold their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def