How the Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB can end the Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is a football expert and plays for the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six of the NFL season and after last week's talk about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the number of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to have that deficit and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos won that contest.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always sending extra defenders instead they might position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said during a show how the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly then did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while keeps you in positive situations.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, plus he is so athletic.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver precision throws across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
If you consistently rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense must defend the field downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids 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 the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a good place to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their forte, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (10th worst), and they are the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are the first team to be without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
