Ways the Denver Broncos together with their malleable QB could stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- 6 Comments
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.
But it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver boast the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four pass rushers but they might position two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program that Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent running back JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a squad aiming to run first, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in positive down and distances.
This has helped quarterback the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver 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 isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the field vertically side to side. It can be exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are also the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
