Ways these Broncos and the malleable quarterback could halt that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's national squad.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes text commentary for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage is available on designated networks for a separate game (from 21:00 BST).
It's week six of the football calendar and after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the number of infractions each conceded. The Eagles did so at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this weekend.
However it was positive to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to overcome that deficit and then lead three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, securing the victory by four points.
Denver boast the defensive player of the year in cornerback their star corner. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while the Eagles are number one in red zone offence, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.
They had the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always sending extra defenders instead they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
At the start in the campaign, it was noted on a program how Denver might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished last season strongly and excelled of building upon that.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New tight end Evan Engram has excelled big and recent RB JK Dobbins is a player they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive that the coach Sean Payton has "RUSH!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos are a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited QB the young passer, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass all over, but they don't move in the same way that Nix has. He has exceptional arm talent, a unique trait, and he's highly agile.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw while moving, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls outside protection, the bootlegs. He is able to throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, aged 25, he's got a lot of composure under pressure and isn't bothered by extra rushers. He aims to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense must defend the field vertically and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
Nix has pushed back at Payton during games sometimes and I think the coach likes that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback that is similar to moldable clay. He can truly develop him how he desires to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.
Payton owns a championship and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173, tying for 14th). He's seen everything. In my opinion the success the Broncos are experiencing offensively is largely down to his guidance, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet is the team strong enough to face a top squad at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, I don't think Denver are incredible. They're working better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. The key to do is maintain this trajectory.
They're really good at leaning into their strength, that is running the ball, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. 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 this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, Denver face a manageable slate up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could challenge for the top of the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they meet since the Broncos {beat|def
