How the Broncos and the malleable quarterback can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' dominance.

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NFL 2025 season: Week six

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It's week six in the NFL season and after recent discussion about the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.

Notable in those games were the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia did so at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the final quarter versus the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.

But it was positive to observe how Denver quarterback the rookie managed to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions during the final period, 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 lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver prevailed in that battle.

They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending extra pass rushers but they might plug two LBs in the interior then drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.

At the start in the campaign, we said during a show that Denver could be this season's surprise contenders. They finished last season well then did a good job in continuing that momentum.

New tight end their tight end has excelled big and new running back JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks 5th in the NFL in ground gains (402) as well as tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).

It's impressive that head coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently of his playcall sheet.

This demonstrates that the Broncos represent a team aiming to prioritize the run, since you can achieve much off the back of that. It slows opposing rushes while maintains in positive down and distances.

This has benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who came into the league as a first-round selection last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – second only to a star QB for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).

Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to throw anywhere, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has exceptional passing ability, a unique trait, and he is so athletic.

His strengths include his movement, being able to throw on the run, and finding varied release points to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He is able to throw that layered pass across the middle or over the corner.

For a young quarterback, at 25, he displays a lot of poise under pressure and isn't bothered by the blitz. He tries to evade a sack whenever possible and can pass in tight spots. He possesses a high football IQ and remains very decisive.

When you consistently run the ball it consumes the clock and forces the defence to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence has to defend the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.

The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and it seems Payton likes that fire, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up the way he wants to shape him. I think it's a special experience for him.

The head coach has won a Super Bowl and now passed a legend in all-time victories (173, tying for 14th). He has witnessed it all. In my opinion the success Denver are having on offence is largely down to his leadership, his play-calling, his situational awareness – and the pairing with Nix aids make him into who he is.

You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to assist you through difficult moments and boost confidence.

I have faith in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to go against a top squad at its best? Because that wasn't a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia in their last game.

Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, that's a solid position to hold the AFC West. The key is is maintain this trajectory.

They excel at embracing their strength, which is running the ball, and this is exactly what they must do versus the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.

New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win any game.

Ever since the NFL started recording turnovers decades ago, this team are also the first team to be without a single takeaway through five games, which is kind of shocking considering that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.

After this Sunday's game, Denver face a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.

Looking at the AFC West, Kansas City are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run for the top of the West.

It depends on what version of the Chiefs they meet because the Broncos {beat|def