How the Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB could end that Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Posted
- 6 Comments
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text of Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season , after last week's talk about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of penalties each committed. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this weekend.
However it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending more than four pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big while recent running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a squad aiming to run first, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in positive situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, being able to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to stay in play for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to have a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
