How these Broncos together with their malleable quarterback can end that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard on designated networks covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , after recent talk about two top teams being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the amount of infractions each conceded. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers but they could position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program how the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, and finding varied release points to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay in play for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to hold their division. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
