Ways these Broncos and their flexible quarterback can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and after last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the amount of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it was positive to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall before lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to run first, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to cover the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their forte, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (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 turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face because Denver {beat|def
