Ways these Broncos and their flexible QB could end that Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features live text for Sunday's games via various channels, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard on designated networks for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season , following last week's talk about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties each committed. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this Sunday.
But it was good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, to win the victory by four points.
The Broncos have the top defender in CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in scoring near the end zone, and the Broncos won that battle.
They had effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers but they might plug two linebackers in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted on a program that the Broncos could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season strongly and did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces opposing rushes and maintains in favourable situations.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass all over, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has incredible passing ability, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to evade being tackled whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it consumes time and forces the opponent to stay on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to cover the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has pushed back with the coach during games at times and it seems the coach likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's fun for him to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton has won a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing on offence is largely down to his guidance, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you through difficult moments and build confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team strong enough to face an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're performing above average, which is a solid position to be in their division. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They excel at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win a game.
Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In their division, the Chiefs hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 so they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
