Ways these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback can end the Chiefs' reign.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Posted
- 6 Comments
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features live text for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on designated networks for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , after recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the number of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
But it proved good to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one 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 always rushing extra pass rushers instead they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show that Denver could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass all over, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, being able to throw on the run, as well as finding varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you constantly run the ball it consumes time and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think the coach likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the success Denver are having offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Since the league started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
