How the Denver Broncos and their malleable quarterback can end the Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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It's week six of the NFL season and following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games were the number of penalties each conceded. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it was good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers instead they might plug two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and new running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He's currently fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to pass on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. He can truly build something up how he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon what version of the Chiefs they meet since Denver {beat|def
