How these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.

NFL pundit and flag football player

Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's flag football team.

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Week six of the 2025 NFL season

Live coverage includes live text of the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard through select stations for a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).

It's week six of the football calendar , following last week's talk about two top teams as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.

Notable in those games was the number of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.

But it was good to observe that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.

Denver boast the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.

They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing extra pass rushers instead they could plug two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.

At the start of the season, it was noted on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season well then 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 and new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (4).

It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.

That shows that Denver represent a team that wants to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.

This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).

Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he is highly agile.

His assets include his movement, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and over the corner.

As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to evade a sack as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.

If you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to be on the field for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defense must cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.

Nix has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a unique opportunity for him.

Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing offensively is largely due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.

There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.

I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.

Right now, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to hold their division. The key is is maintain this path.

They excel at leaning into their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.

The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.

Since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the first team to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.

Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.

Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.

It depends on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def

David Alexander
David Alexander

Elara Vance is an investigative journalist with over a decade of experience covering international affairs and political developments across Europe.