How the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB could end that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for Sunday's games on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on designated networks covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the football calendar and after last week's talk about two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra pass rushers but they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a squad aiming to run first, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think Payton likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
