How these Denver Broncos and their flexible QB could halt that Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and after last week's discussion about two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was positive to see how Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra defenders but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
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Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big while new running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver are a team that wants to run first, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in positive situations.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate until their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
