Ways the Broncos and their flexible quarterback can halt the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , after recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the number of penalties both committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
Denver have the top defender in CB their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing extra pass rushers but they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw anywhere, 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 are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense has to cover the field vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are also the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
