Ways the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB could stop that Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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It's week six in the NFL season , after last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of infractions each committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it proved good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big while recent running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the success Denver are having on offence is largely due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking takeaways in 1933, this team are the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def