Ways the Broncos and the flexible quarterback could stop that Chiefs' dominance.

NFL pundit and flag football player

Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for the UK's national squad.

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NFL 2025 season: Week six

Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available through select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week of the football calendar , following last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.

Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus Denver, who play in London this weekend.

But it proved positive to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome the shortfall and then direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.

The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos won that contest.

They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily sending extra defenders instead they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.

Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program that the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They ended last season well and did a good job of building upon that.

Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?

Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).

I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.

That shows that Denver represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in favourable down and distances.

It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).

Other elite QBs have the arm strength to throw all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he is so athletic.

His assets are his movement, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws over the middle or past defenders.

For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and is not really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.

If you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defense must cover the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.

Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him how he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.

The head coach has won a championship and now passed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his guidance, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape him what he is.

There's no better a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.

I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to face an elite team at its best? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.

Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, that's a good place to hold their division. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.

They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.

New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (10th worst), and they're the sole squad without a win a game.

Ever since the league started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.

The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.

After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking at their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.

This hinges upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def

Kenneth Bell
Kenneth Bell

A tech strategist and writer passionate about digital transformation and emerging technologies.