How these Broncos together with the flexible QB could end that Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes live text of Sunday's games on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar and after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it was positive to observe how Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome that deficit and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always sending extra pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that Denver could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team that wants to run first, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw all over, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to have a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. The coach can truly build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
