How these Denver Broncos and their 'play-dough' QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.

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Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for the UK's national squad.

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Week six of the 2025 NFL season

Live coverage features text commentary of Sunday's games via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available on designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and after last week's talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.

Striking during those contests were the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this weekend.

However it proved positive to observe how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to have that deficit before direct three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, securing the victory 21-17.

The Broncos have the top defender in cornerback Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles lead the league in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.

They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They did not always rushing extra defenders but they could position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and dispatch a nickel from the outside.

Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show that Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They finished the previous year well and excelled in continuing that momentum.

Are the Denver Broncos this season's underdog story?

Recently acquired tight end their tight end has excelled significantly while new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).

I love that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.

That shows that the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in positive down and distances.

It's also benefited QB the young passer, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).

Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible passing ability, which is different, plus he is so athletic.

His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, and using varied release points to make throws as he moves outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass across the middle and over the corner.

For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great composure under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He tries to avoid a sack as much as possible and is able throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.

If you consistently rush it consumes time and makes the defence to be on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense must defend the field downfield side to side. This proves exhausting.

Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. In my view it's fun for him to have a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.

The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids shape him into who he is.

There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.

I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.

Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're performing above average, which is a good place to hold the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this trajectory.

They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and that's exactly what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.

New York have surrendered 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win a game.

Since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway through five games, this is surprising considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.

Patrick Mahomes stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following a recent loss to Jacksonville.

After this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule until their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans and Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.

This hinges upon which form of the Chiefs they meet because Denver {beat|def

Michael Hunter
Michael Hunter

A tech enthusiast and journalist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital transformations.