How the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can stop that Kansas City Chiefs' reign.

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NFL 2025 season: Week six

Real-time updates includes text commentary of the weekend matchups via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (from 14:00 BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on designated networks covering a separate game (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week in the football calendar , following recent talk regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles being possible championship contenders, they both lost their perfect starts.

Notable in those games was the number of penalties both conceded. Philadelphia committed them at crucial times so they essentially defeated themselves after leading by two touchdowns entering the final quarter against the Denver Broncos, set to play in London this Sunday.

However it was good to see how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to have that deficit and then direct three scoring drives on three possessions in the fourth quarter, securing the game 21-17.

The Broncos have the defensive player of the year with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are number one in red zone defence, while Philadelphia are number one in scoring near the end zone, yet Denver prevailed in that contest.

They had the Eagles' number in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't necessarily rushing extra defenders instead they might position two LBs in the interior before withdrawing them and send a slot defender from the outside.

At the start in the campaign, we said on a program that the Broncos might emerge as the current year's dark horses. They finished last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.

Recently acquired tight end Evan Engram has stepped up big while recent running back their rusher is a player the team trusts. He's currently fifth in the NFL in ground gains (over 400) and tied for fourth in rushing scores (four).

It's impressive how head coach the Broncos' leader has "RUSH!" at the top on his call sheet.

That shows that Denver are a squad aiming to prioritize the run, because you can achieve much based on that approach. It reduces down the pass rush and maintains in positive situations.

This has helped QB Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert for the rookie record (31 back in 2020).

Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, but they don't move the mobility as Nix. He boasts exceptional passing ability, which is different, and he's so athletic.

His assets include his movement, the capacity to pass on the run, and using different arm angles to deliver the pass when he rolls out of the pocket, on rollouts. He can throw that layered pass across the middle and past defenders.

As a rookie QB, at 25, he's got great poise under pressure and is not really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and is able throw under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and remains very decisive.

If you consistently run the ball it eats up time and makes the opponent to stay on the field extended periods, and if you have a mobile QB the defence must cover the field vertically and horizontally. This proves exhausting.

The quarterback has pushed back with the coach on the sideline sometimes and I think Payton appreciates that attitude, seeing him as a fierce rival. I think it's exciting for the coach to coach a rookie QB that is similar to moldable clay. He can really develop him the way he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for the coach.

Payton has won a championship and has surpassed Bill Parcells in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the pairing with Nix helps shape him into who he is.

There's no better a more qualified person in your ear, to assist you during some of the tougher situations and boost self-belief.

I believe in Denver's defence, in the QB's grit and calm. But are they strong enough to face a top squad at its best? Since that was not a Super Bowl performance from Philadelphia last Sunday.

Currently, I don't think the Broncos are elite. They're working above average, that's a good place to be in their division. The key to do to continue this trajectory.

They're really good at embracing their forte, that is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do against the New York Jets at Tottenham. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.

The Jets have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five ground scores so far (10th worst), and they are the sole squad without a win a game.

Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways decades ago, the Jets are the inaugural squad to be without any turnovers through five games, which is kind of shocking when you think that their new coach was previously defensive co-ordinator with another team.

After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the AFC West, Kansas City hold a losing record while Denver are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the division.

It depends upon which form of the Chiefs they face because Denver {beat|def