How the Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text for the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the number of infractions each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
Denver boast the top defender in CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers instead they could position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled big and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in positive situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up time and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defense has to cover the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach during games sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. He can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want 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. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key to do to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly 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 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City are off to a poor start following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
