How these Broncos and the malleable quarterback could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the amount of penalties both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this weekend.
But it was good to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always sending more than four defenders but they could position two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a team that wants to run first, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as finding varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to 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're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, 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 with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def
