How the Denver Broncos and the flexible quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
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It's week six in the NFL season and following recent talk about two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. The Eagles committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the final quarter against Denver, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to see that Denver quarterback the rookie managed to overcome that deficit before lead three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, to win the victory 21-17.
Denver have the defensive player of the year in CB their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always rushing extra pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap before withdrawing them and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
At the start of the season, it was noted during a show that Denver could be this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big while new running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a squad that wants to run first, since you can do a lot based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they don't move in the same way as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to throw on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the defence to be in play for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he wants to build it. I think it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are having on offence is largely 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 better guy in your ear, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are incredible. They're working better than most, that's a good place to be in their division. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is running the ball, and that's exactly what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, this is surprising considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are even with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the division.
This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def
