Ways the Denver Broncos together with their flexible quarterback can end that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Former NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Live coverage includes text commentary for the weekend matchups on various channels, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available through designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and after last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games was the amount of penalties both committed. Philadelphia did so at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the fourth period against Denver, who play overseas this weekend.
But it was good to observe how Denver's QB the rookie was able to overcome the shortfall before direct three successful possessions in three attempts in the fourth quarter, to win the victory 21-17.
The Broncos have the top defender with CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not always rushing more than four pass rushers instead they could plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted during a show that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season well then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly while new RB their rusher is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that head coach Sean Payton displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos represent a squad that wants to prioritize the run, because you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes while maintains in favourable situations.
It's also helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 touchdown passes – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts incredible passing ability, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to make throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver that layered pass over the middle or past defenders.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He tries to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes time and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and if you've got a mobile QB the defence has to cover the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and it seems Payton appreciates that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
The head coach has won a championship and now surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. In my opinion the achievements the Broncos are experiencing on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you during some of the tougher situations and build self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. Yet are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. All they need to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do versus the Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL began tracking turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, this is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn defensive co-ordinator at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs are off to a poor start after Monday's defeat to Jacksonville.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before 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 at leading the division.
It depends on which form of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
