How the Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB can stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach an analyst is a football expert and represents Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text of Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of penalties both committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
However it proved positive to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers but they could position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended last season strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up big while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and finding varied release points to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and makes the defence to stay in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence has to cover the area downfield side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. He can truly build something up how he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a solid position to be in their division. The key is is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
