How the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text for Sunday's games on various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the number of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league 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 necessarily rushing extra pass rushers but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths include his movement, being able to throw while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a good place to hold the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even 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
