How the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could end that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features live text of the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the amount of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it was good to see how Denver quarterback the rookie was able to have the shortfall before lead three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, we said during a show how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled big while recent RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since one can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it consumes time and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to cover the area downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
