How these Denver Broncos together with their malleable quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as 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 in the football calendar , after recent discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking during those contests was the amount of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the fourth period versus Denver, who play in London this weekend.
But it proved positive to see how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to overcome the shortfall before direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing extra defenders but they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that the Broncos could be the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's underdog story?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled significantly and recent running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows opposing rushes while keeps you in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, which is different, and he is highly agile.
His strengths are his movement, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to deliver throws as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay in play for longer, and when you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. He can really build something up the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements the Broncos are having offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps make him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are incredible. They're working above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. All they need is to continue this path.
They excel at leaning into their strength, which is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards 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 NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on which form of the Chiefs they meet since Denver {beat|def
