How these Broncos and their malleable QB can end the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it proved good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra pass rushers instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big while new running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw all over, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you constantly rush it consumes the clock and forces the opponent to stay in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the field downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
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 exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def
