How the Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and plays for the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it was positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, securing the game 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that contest.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always sending more than four defenders but they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big and recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver represent a team that wants to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass on the run, and finding varied release points 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, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence must cover the area vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems the coach likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up how he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do against 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 (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
