How the Denver Broncos together with the malleable QB can halt the Chiefs' rule.
Ex NFL team coach an analyst serves as a football expert and represents Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- 6 Comments
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing more than four defenders but they could plug two LBs in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended last season strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while new RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team that wants to run first, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing on offence is largely due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe 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 was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
