How these Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text of the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary is available through designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season , after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests were the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this weekend.
However it was good to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
Denver have the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always sending more than four defenders instead they could position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled big while new running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field for longer, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly build something up how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need is is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
