How the Broncos together with their flexible quarterback could end the Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , after recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the number of penalties each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this weekend.
However it proved good to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver won that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show how the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year well and excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big and recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver represent a team that wants to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to throw anywhere, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays great composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it consumes the clock and forces the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense has to cover the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. He can really develop him the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should 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 each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the league started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
