How the Broncos and the 'play-dough' quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit who also represents Great Britain's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary for the weekend matchups via various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage is available on select stations for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their unbeaten records.
Notable during those contests were the number of penalties each committed. Philadelphia did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have the shortfall and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with CB their star corner. They are number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They did not always sending more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a nickel off the edge.
Early on of the season, we said during a show that Denver might emerge as the current year's surprise contenders. They ended last season strongly then did a good job of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates that the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in positive down and distances.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver throws when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got great poise in the pocket and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to evade being tackled as much as possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has sharp intelligence and remains quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence has to cover the area downfield and horizontally. This proves exhausting.
Nix has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can really develop him how he desires to build it. I think it's a special experience for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is largely down to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to assist you through difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're working above average, which is a good place to be in the AFC West. All they need is to continue this trajectory.
They're really good at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they're the only team yet to win any game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, this is surprising when you think that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate until their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
In their division, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could make a run at leading the West.
It depends on what version of the Chiefs they face since Denver {beat|def
