Ways the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert and represents Great Britain's national squad.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups 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 select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season , following recent talk regarding two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show how the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up significantly and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a squad that wants to run first, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area vertically side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him how he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton has won a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to hold their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and that's precisely what they must do against the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
