Ways the Broncos together with their flexible quarterback can stop that Chiefs' dominance.
Ex Buffalo Bills assistant coach an analyst is a football expert and represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates features live text for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, starting with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on designated networks covering a separate game (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their unbeaten records.
Striking in those games was the number of penalties each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
However it proved good to see that Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then direct three successful possessions on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 21-17.
Denver have the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver won that battle.
They had the Eagles' number regarding simulated pressure. They weren't always rushing extra defenders but they might plug two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as this season's dark horses. They finished the previous year well and did a good job of building upon that.
Could Denver be this season's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up significantly while new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) as well as tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" at the top of his playcall sheet.
This demonstrates how the Broncos represent a team that wants to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces opposing rushes and keeps you in favourable down and distances.
This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 TDs – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).
Other elite QBs possess the arm strength to pass anywhere, however they don't move the mobility that Nix has. He boasts exceptional arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His strengths are his movement, being able to throw on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver throws when he rolls outside protection, on rollouts. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled as much as possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.
If you constantly rush it eats up time and makes the opponent to be on the field for longer, and if you've got a mobile QB the defense must defend the area downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and I think Payton likes that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a young quarterback who's kind of like play-dough. He can truly develop him how he wants to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
The head coach owns a Super Bowl and now passed Bill Parcells for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen it all. I think the success Denver are having on offence is mostly down to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you through some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. Yet are they strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely Denver are elite. They're performing better than most, which is a good place to be in their division. The key to do to continue this path.
They're really good at leaning into their forte, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they should do against the Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
New York have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad yet to win a game.
Since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, the Jets are also the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
Patrick Mahomes stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' after Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After this Sunday's game, Denver have a manageable slate up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, the Cowboys, the Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at their division, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def
