Ways these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former NFL team assistant coach an analyst is an NFL pundit who also plays for the UK's national squad.
- Published
- Half a dozen responses
Week six of the 2025 NFL season
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It's week six of the football calendar and after recent discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia did so in key moments so they kind of beat themselves having led by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this Sunday.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the game 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with CB their star corner. They are first in red zone defence, while the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They had effective strategies regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending more than four pass rushers instead they could position two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch 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 ended the previous year strongly then excelled of building upon that.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
New tight end their tight end has excelled significantly and recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive how head coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver represent a squad aiming to prioritize the run, since one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable situations.
This has benefited QB Bo Nix, who came the NFL as a first-round selection last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, plus he's highly agile.
His assets are his mobility, being able to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves outside protection, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you constantly rush it eats up time and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defense must defend the field vertically side to side. This proves exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. The coach can really develop him the way he wants to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and has passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing offensively is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is exactly what they should do versus the Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad without a win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they face since the Broncos {beat|def
