Ways these Broncos and the 'play-dough' QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Posted
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on designated networks covering another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and following last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking during those contests was the amount of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments meaning they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the fourth period against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending more than four defenders instead they could position two LBs in the interior then drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big and recent running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to pass while moving, and using different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to have a young quarterback who's kind of like moldable clay. He can really develop him how he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is largely due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play 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 to do to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL began tracking takeaways decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders before the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face because Denver {beat|def
