Ways these Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' quarterback can stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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It's week six in the football calendar and following last week's discussion regarding two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the amount of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they could position two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows that the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to evade a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to stay on the field for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team good enough to face a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold their division. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
