How the Denver Broncos and their flexible QB can end that Chiefs' rule.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also plays for the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after recent talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the number of penalties each committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
However it was good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show that Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has excelled big and new running back their rusher is a guy they believe in. He's currently 5th league-wide in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a squad that wants to run first, because one can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (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 has incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His assets are his movement, being able to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver precision throws over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of poise in the pocket and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able throw in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently rush it eats up the clock and forces the defence to stay in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence must defend the area downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games at times and I think Payton likes that fire, that he's a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to have a young quarterback that is kind of like moldable clay. He can really develop him the way he wants to build it. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach has won a championship and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are having on offence is largely due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver 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 strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face since the Broncos {beat|def
