How these Denver Broncos together with their malleable quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' rule.
Former NFL team coach an analyst serves as an NFL pundit and represents the UK's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage includes live text for the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and after recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the number of penalties each committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, who play overseas this Sunday.
But it was good to observe that Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
Denver have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver won that contest.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers but they might plug two linebackers in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program how the Broncos could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly and recent running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).
I love that the coach Sean Payton displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how Denver are a squad aiming to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in positive situations.
This has benefited quarterback the young passer, who entered the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, passing for 29 TDs – second only to a star QB in rookie records (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he is highly agile.
His assets include his movement, being able to pass while moving, as well as using varied release points to deliver throws as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle or over the corner.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays great poise under pressure and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can throw in tight spots. He possesses sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.
If you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the defence to stay in play extended periods, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defence has to cover the field vertically side to side. This proves draining.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think the coach likes that attitude, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like play-dough. He can really build something up the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for him.
Payton owns a championship and has passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with the QB aids make him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and boost self-belief.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a good place to be in the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this path.
They're really good at embracing their strength, which is the ground game, and that's exactly what they must do against the Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they are the only team without a win a game.
Since the league started recording takeaways decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus the Raiders before the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
