Ways the Denver Broncos and the flexible quarterback can end that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes live text of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , following last week's talk regarding two top teams being possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the amount of penalties both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game by four points.
Denver have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending extra defenders instead they might position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while new RB their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a team that wants to run first, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in positive down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to throw all over, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, being able to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and makes the defence to stay on the field for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field downfield and horizontally. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up how he wants to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are having on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at its best? Since that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since Denver {beat|def
