How these Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's flag football team.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary of Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard through select stations covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , following last week's discussion about two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times meaning they kind of defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to see how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year in CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, whereas the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they could plug two LBs in the interior before drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, it was noted during a show that Denver might emerge as this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job of building upon that.
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Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly while new running back their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows that the Broncos represent a team that wants to prioritize the run, because one can achieve much based on that approach. 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 a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, and using varied release points to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not bothered by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the opponent to be in play for longer, and when you've got an athletic quarterback the defense must cover the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a rookie QB that is kind of like play-dough. He can really develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and now surpassed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen it all. In my opinion the achievements Denver are experiencing on offence is mostly down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to help you during some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need is to continue this path.
They're really good at embracing their forte, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground 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.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to go without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' after a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on which form Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
