How the Denver Broncos together with the malleable QB can stop the Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's national squad.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , after recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always sending more than four defenders but they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has excelled significantly and new RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, however they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be in play for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly develop him how he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. The key to do to continue this path.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
