Ways the Broncos and their malleable QB could end that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features live text for the weekend matchups 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 for a separate game (from 21:00 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, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the amount of penalties both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it was good to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show that the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in positive situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up time and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to have a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can really build something up how he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
