How the Denver Broncos together with the malleable QB can halt the Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also plays for the UK's national squad.
- Posted
- 6 Comments
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season , following recent discussion regarding two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the amount of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially beat themselves after leading 17-3 going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver won that battle.
They executed effective strategies regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they might position two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled big and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how the coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a team aiming to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in positive situations.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, being able to throw while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or 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 aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the defence to stay in play for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense has to cover the area vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly build something up how he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends upon what version of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
