How the Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB could stop the Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , following last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the amount of penalties each committed. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it was good to see how Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They did not always rushing more than four defenders but they could plug two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show how Denver could be this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's underdog story?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled significantly while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a team aiming to run first, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of composure in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up the clock and makes the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach owns a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the success the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need is is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York 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 only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, 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.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet since Denver {beat|def