How the Denver Broncos and the malleable QB can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.

• Published
  51 minutes ago
• 6 Comments

Week six of the 2025 NFL season

Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary can be heard through designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , after last week's discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.

Notable during those contests was the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of beat themselves after leading 17-3 going into the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this weekend.

But it proved good to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have the shortfall and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.

The Broncos have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.

They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing extra defenders instead they could plug two LBs in the interior then withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.

Early on in the campaign, we said on a program that Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.

Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has excelled big and recent RB JK Dobbins is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).

I love that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.

That shows how Denver represent a team that wants to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.

It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).

Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, however they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.

His strengths are his movement, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws across the middle or over the corner.

As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.

When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be in play extended periods, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.

The quarterback has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think the coach likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.

Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. I think the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him what he is.

You wouldn't want a better guy in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.

I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.

Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.

They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.

New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.

Since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising when you think that the head coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.

Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Chiefs.

Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.

This hinges on which form Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def