How the Broncos and the flexible QB could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.

• Posted
  Less than an hour ago
• 6 Comments

Week six of the 2025 NFL season

Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).

We're in the sixth week in the NFL season 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.

Notable in those games were the amount of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.

But it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.

The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year 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 prevailed in that battle.

They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four defenders but they could plug two LBs in the interior before drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.

Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that Denver could be this season's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly and excelled of building upon that.

New TE Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).

I love how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.

This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.

It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).

Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.

His assets include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.

As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.

When you consistently rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to be on the field for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the field downfield side to side. This proves draining.

Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.

Payton owns a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him what he is.

You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.

I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet 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 the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to be in their division. The key to do to continue this trajectory.

They excel at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.

New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.

Ever since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.

After this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.

This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def