How these Broncos together with their flexible QB could stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following recent talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests were the number of infractions each committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see how Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to throw while moving, and finding varied release points to make the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it consumes time and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, that's a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
