How these Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' quarterback can halt the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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It's week six of the football calendar and after recent talk regarding two top teams being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
However it proved positive to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall before direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending more than four defenders but they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos represent a team aiming to run first, since one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the opponent to stay in play extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to cover the area vertically side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. He 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 now passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends upon what version Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
