Ways these Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB can stop that Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features text commentary of Sunday's games via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and after last week's discussion regarding two top teams as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period against Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
But it was good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always sending extra pass rushers but they could position two LBs in the interior before drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show that the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up big while recent running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for 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 aiming to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass all over, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his movement, being able to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the defence to stay in play for longer, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. He can really develop him how he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon which form of the Chiefs they face because Denver {beat|def
