How these Denver Broncos and their malleable quarterback could end the Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available through select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six of the NFL season and after last week's discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable in those games was the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they kind of beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this weekend.
But it proved good to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit before direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They did not necessarily sending extra defenders but they might position two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly while recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they lack in the same way that Nix has. He has incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's highly agile.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He can deliver precision throws across the middle or past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
When you consistently rush it eats up time and makes the defence to stay on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense must cover the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and has 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 largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix helps make him what he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after a recent loss to Jacksonville.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version of the Chiefs they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
