How these Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and 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 of the football calendar and following last week's discussion regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the amount of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said on a program how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and recent RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, being able to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to be in play for longer, and if you have a mobile QB the defence must cover the area vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a championship and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix aids 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 self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need is to continue this path.
They excel at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
