How the Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB can stop the Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar and after recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both lost their unbeaten records.
Notable in those games was the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it was positive to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit before lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver boast the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They rank first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled significantly and new running back JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass all over, however they lack in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, being able to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can really develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach owns a championship and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in their division. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet since Denver {beat|def
