How the Broncos and the flexible QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and plays for the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for Sunday's games via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard through designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and after last week's talk about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
However it was positive to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender in cornerback their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show how the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while new running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using varied release points to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes the clock and makes the defence to be in play for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. He can truly build something up how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key is is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends upon which form of the Chiefs they meet since Denver {beat|def
