Ways the Broncos and their malleable quarterback could halt the Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six in the football calendar and following recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of penalties both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to see how Denver quarterback the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four defenders but they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show how the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has stepped up big and recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes time and makes the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the success the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need 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's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
