How these Broncos together with their flexible quarterback can stop the Chiefs' rule.
Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter serves as an NFL pundit and plays for 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 via various channels, beginning with Denver Broncos v New York Jets at Tottenham (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Also, audio coverage can be heard on select stations for another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and after last week's talk about two top teams being a potential Super Bowl match-up, each lost their perfect starts.
Notable in those games were the number of infractions each conceded. The Eagles did so in key moments meaning they essentially beat themselves after leading by two touchdowns going into the fourth period against the Denver Broncos, set to play overseas this weekend.
But it proved positive to observe how Denver's QB Bo Nix was able to overcome that deficit and then direct three scoring drives in three attempts during the final period, to win the game by four points.
The Broncos boast the defensive player of the year with cornerback their star corner. They are first in goal-line defense, whereas Philadelphia are number one 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 withdrawing them and dispatch a nickel off the edge.
At the start in the campaign, we said on a program that the Broncos could be this season's dark horses. They ended last season well and did a good job in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this season's dark horses?
New TE Evan Engram has excelled significantly and new RB JK Dobbins is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth in the NFL in ground gains (402) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (four).
It's impressive that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUSH!" prominently on his call sheet.
This demonstrates that Denver represent a squad that wants to run first, since one can do a lot based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush while keeps you in favourable down and distances.
It's also benefited quarterback Bo Nix, who entered into the league as the 12th overall draft pick last year, passing for 29 TDs – second only to Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert have the arm strength to pass anywhere, but they lack the mobility as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, plus he's so athletic.
His strengths include his mobility, the capacity to throw on the run, and finding different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He can throw that layered pass over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, at 25, he displays a lot of poise in the pocket and isn't really fazed by extra rushers. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass in tight spots. He has a high football IQ and is quick to decide.
When you consistently run the ball it eats up time and forces the opponent to be on the field for longer, and when you have an athletic quarterback the defence must cover the field vertically side to side. It can be draining.
The quarterback has bitten back with the coach on the sideline at times and it seems Payton appreciates that fire, that he's a fierce rival. I think it's fun for him to coach a rookie QB who's kind of like moldable clay. He can truly develop him the way he desires to shape him. I think it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a Super Bowl and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He has witnessed it all. I think the achievements the Broncos are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps shape him into who he is.
You wouldn't want a better guy guiding you, to help you through some of the tougher situations and boost confidence.
I believe in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to face an elite team at its best? Because that was not championship-level play from Philadelphia in their last game.
Currently, it's unlikely Denver are incredible. They're working above average, which is a solid position to be in the AFC West. The key to do is maintain this path.
They excel at embracing their strength, that is the ground game, and that's precisely what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It will likely be a Dobbins-focused game, in essence.
The Jets have surrendered 140 rushing yards each contest (among the worst), five rushing touchdowns so far (in the bottom ten), and they're the only team yet to win a game.
Ever since the league started recording turnovers in 1933, this team are also the inaugural squad to go without any turnovers through five games, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated Kansas City have 'already lost too many games' following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week twelve) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans plus Las Vegas Raiders prior to the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are tied with the Chargers at 3-2 meaning they could make a run at leading the West.
This hinges on what version Kansas City shows up they face because the Broncos {beat|def