Ways these Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' quarterback can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes live text of the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and following last week's talk about two top teams being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to see that Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly and new running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, and finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence must cover the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. He can really develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they 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 elite. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key is to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges on which form Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
