How the Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB could end the Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team coach an analyst is a football expert and plays for the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six of the NFL season and after last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of defeated themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the final quarter versus Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
But it was good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender in CB their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending more than four defenders but they could plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has stepped up significantly while recent running back their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a team that wants to run first, because one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
This has helped QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as finding varied release points to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw precision throws across the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you consistently rush it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be in play for longer, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems the coach appreciates that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to coach a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are having offensively is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and this is exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
