How these Denver Broncos and their malleable quarterback could stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , after recent discussion about two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the amount of infractions each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period versus Denver, who play in London this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the game by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly while recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team that wants to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in positive down and distances.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to throw while moving, and using varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the field downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a championship and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
In 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 at leading the division.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
