How these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback could end that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features text commentary of the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on select stations covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it was positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending more than four defenders but they might position two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled big and new running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how Denver are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and using varied release points to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it consumes time and makes the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think the coach likes that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. The coach can really build something up how he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong 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 incredible. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to be in their division. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
