How these Denver Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback can halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and represents Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six of the football calendar and following recent discussion about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the number of infractions both committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra pass rushers instead they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program how the Broncos might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding varied release points to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it eats up the clock and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defense has to defend the area vertically side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can really develop him the way he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. The key is is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
