How the Denver Broncos together with the 'play-dough' quarterback could stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.
Ex NFL team assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also represents the UK's flag football team.
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NFL 2025 season: Week six
Real-time updates includes live text for Sunday's games on multiple platforms, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets in London (from 14:00 BST). Additionally, audio coverage can be heard through select stations covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week in the NFL season and following last week's discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as possible championship contenders, each lost their perfect starts.
Striking in those games were the number of infractions each conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the final quarter versus Denver, who play in London this Sunday.
However it was positive to see how Denver quarterback Bo Nix was able to overcome the shortfall before lead three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game by four points.
The Broncos boast the top defender with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that battle.
They executed effective strategies in terms of simulated pressure. They did not necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they might position two linebackers in the interior before drop them out and send a nickel from the outside.
Early on in the campaign, it was noted during a show that Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended the previous year strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
Recently acquired tight end their tight end has stepped up big and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy the team trusts. He now ranks 5th league-wide for rushing yards (402) and tied for fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive how the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because you can achieve much off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in positive situations.
It's also helped quarterback Bo Nix, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 TDs – just behind a star QB for the rookie record (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess the arm strength to throw anywhere, but they lack in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.
His assets include his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to make the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.
For a young quarterback, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He tries to evade being tackled whenever possible and can throw under pressure. He possesses sharp intelligence and is quick to decide.
If you consistently run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to stay on the field for longer, and if you have an athletic quarterback the defense must defend the field downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach during games at times and I think the coach likes that fire, seeing him as a fierce rival. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a young quarterback who's similar to moldable clay. He can really build something up the way he desires to build it. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.
The head coach owns a championship and now surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed everything. I think the achievements Denver are having on offence is largely due to his leadership, his schemes, his situational awareness – and the combination with the QB helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy guiding you, to help you during difficult moments and build self-belief.
I have faith in Denver's defence, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at full strength? Because that was not championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're performing above average, that's a solid position to be in the AFC West. All they need is is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and this is precisely what they must do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It will likely be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
The Jets have surrendered 140 yards on the ground per game (among the worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Since the league began tracking takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the first team to go without any turnovers in five outings, which is surprising when you think that their new coach Aaron Glenn a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB says the Chiefs have 'already lost too many games' following a recent loss by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, the Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record and the Broncos are even with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the division.
This hinges upon what version of the Chiefs they face because the Broncos {beat|def
