How these Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB could stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests were the number of penalties both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
However it was good to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to have the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defense must defend the field downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, 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 to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def