How these Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' quarterback could halt that Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six of the football calendar and following last week's discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests were the amount of penalties both committed. The Eagles did so at crucial times so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns entering the fourth period versus Denver, set to play overseas this Sunday.
However it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They are number one in red zone defence, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending extra defenders instead they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a slot defender off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program that Denver might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent running back JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied-fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a team aiming to run first, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable down and distances.
This has helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass all over, but they lack the mobility that Nix has. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he is so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you consistently rush it consumes time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and when you have a mobile QB the defense must defend the area downfield side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for the coach to have a young quarterback that is similar to play-dough. The coach can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.
Payton has won a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. I think the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with the QB aids shape him what he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But are they good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to hold their division. All they need is is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, the Broncos have a manageable slate until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
