Ways the Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB can end the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the football calendar , after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both conceded. The Eagles committed them in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to observe that Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit before direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
Denver have the top defender in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing more than four pass rushers but they could plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in positive down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of composure in the pocket and is not bothered by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it consumes the clock and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to defend the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's fun for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway 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 this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
