How the Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' quarterback can halt that Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six in the football calendar , after recent discussion about two top teams being possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall before direct three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are first in red zone defence, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily sending extra defenders instead they might plug two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said during a show how Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big while new running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos represent a squad aiming to run first, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to throw on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and forces the opponent to be in play extended periods, and if you've got an athletic quarterback the defence has to defend the area downfield and horizontally. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach during games sometimes and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet is the team strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
