How the Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and after last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions each conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders but they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season strongly and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end their tight end has stepped up significantly while new running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to stay in play extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defense has to cover the field downfield side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton during games at times 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 moldable clay. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need to do to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Ever since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face because Denver {beat|def
