How these Broncos and their malleable QB can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
- Posted
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , following recent talk regarding two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the number of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up big and recent RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a squad aiming to run first, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw all over, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great composure under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the defence to stay in play for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must cover the area vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed 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 the coach to have a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need 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 versus the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face because Denver {beat|def