Ways the Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback could stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and represents the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following last week's discussion about two top teams being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions each committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing extra defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has stepped up big and new RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a team that wants to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has helped QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths are his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, that's a good place to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
