Ways the Denver Broncos and the malleable quarterback can stop the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes live text for the weekend matchups on 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 a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the amount of infractions each conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this weekend.
But it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly while recent running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, being able to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, that's a solid position to hold their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and that's precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends upon what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
