Ways the Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six in the NFL season and following recent talk regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this weekend.
However it proved positive to see how Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are 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 in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they might plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and new running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defense has to cover the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, this is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
