How the Denver Broncos together with their 'play-dough' QB could stop the Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Live coverage features text commentary for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage is available on select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
It's week six in the NFL season and following last week's discussion about two top teams as possible championship contenders, they both surrendered their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially defeated themselves having led 17-3 going into the final quarter versus Denver, set to play in London this weekend.
But it was positive to see that Denver's QB the rookie managed to have that deficit and then lead three successful possessions in three attempts during the final period, to win the game 21-17.
The Broncos boast the top defender with CB their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, yet the Broncos prevailed in that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number in terms of simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing more than four pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the 'A' gap before drop them out and dispatch a slot defender off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said on a program that Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished the previous year strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has stepped up big and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love how the coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
That shows that Denver are a team that wants to run first, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It slows down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came the NFL 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 don't move the mobility as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, plus he is so athletic.
His strengths are his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, as well as using different arm angles to deliver the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can deliver precision throws across the middle and over the corner.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to evade being tackled whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.
When you constantly run the ball it eats up time and forces the defence to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defence must defend the field downfield side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline sometimes and it seems the coach likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for him to coach a young quarterback who's similar to play-dough. The coach can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his guidance, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with Nix aids shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person guiding you, to assist you during difficult moments and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team good enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, which is a good place to be in their division. All they need is is maintain this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their strength, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, in essence.
The Jets have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five ground scores so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the sole squad yet to win any game.
Since the league began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets are the inaugural squad to go without a single takeaway through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
Following this Sunday's game, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 so they could challenge for the top of the division.
This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet because Denver {beat|def
