How the Broncos together with their flexible quarterback can end the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the amount of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome that deficit before direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing more than four defenders but they could position two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up significantly while new running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team that wants to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he is highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up the clock and makes the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly build something up the way he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to hold their division. The key to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win any game.
Ever since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
