How these Denver Broncos and the malleable quarterback can stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.

NFL pundit and flag football player

Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.

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NFL 2025 season: Week six

Live coverage includes live text of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and following last week's talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.

Notable in those games was the number of penalties each conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.

However it was good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.

Denver boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.

They had the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.

Early on in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.

Could Denver be this year's dark horses?

New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).

It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.

This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a team aiming to run first, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable down and distances.

It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).

Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.

His assets are his mobility, being able to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.

As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.

If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defense must cover the area downfield side to side. This proves exhausting.

The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly develop him how he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for him.

Payton owns a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the success Denver are having on offence is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.

You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.

I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.

Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.

They're really good at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.

New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.

Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.

The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.

After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.

Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.

It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def

Elizabeth Richardson
Elizabeth Richardson

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