How these Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can halt the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following last week's talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to have the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
Denver boast the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra pass rushers but they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver could be the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled significantly while new RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team aiming to run first, since you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, being able to throw on the run, as well as using varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success Denver are having on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, that's a good place to be in their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def