Ways these Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' quarterback can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's national squad.
- Posted
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through designated networks covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading 17-3 going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit before lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers but they might position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to run first, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great composure under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field vertically side to side. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. He can really build something up how he desires to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and has passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing on offence is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, that's a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on which form Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
