How these Denver Broncos together with the malleable quarterback can halt that Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills coach an analyst is a football expert and plays for the UK's flag football team.
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- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests was the amount of infractions each committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading 17-3 going into the fourth period against Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it was positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie was able to have the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver boast the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily rushing extra pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said on a program how Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended the previous year strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly while recent running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver are a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB the young passer, who came the NFL as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass on the run, and finding varied release points to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
When you constantly rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area downfield side to side. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to have a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. He can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing on offence is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to go against an elite team at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, this is kind of shocking considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
