How the Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can end the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates includes live text for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , following last week's discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the amount of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending extra defenders instead they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on of the season, it was noted on a program that Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They ended last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay in play for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can really build something up how he wants to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
The head coach has won a championship and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps shape him what he is.
There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need is to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
