Ways the Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback can halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert and represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six of the NFL season and after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the number of infractions each committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders instead they might plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show that the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They ended last season well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they good enough to face a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working above average, that's a solid position to be in their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 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 face since the Broncos {beat|def
