How these Denver Broncos and their flexible QB could halt the Kansas City Chiefs' reign.

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Week six of the 2025 NFL season

Real-time updates features live text of Sunday's games via various channels, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash in London (kicking off at 2 PM BST). Additionally, radio commentary is available through select stations for another key matchup (from 21:00 BST).

We're in the sixth week of the NFL season and after recent discussion regarding the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both lost their perfect starts.

Notable during those contests was the amount of penalties each committed. Philadelphia committed them in key moments so they essentially defeated themselves after leading 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.

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

The Broncos have the top defender with cornerback Pat Surtain II. They are first in goal-line defense, while Philadelphia lead the league in red zone offence, and the Broncos prevailed in that contest.

They had effective strategies in terms of disguised blitzes. They weren't always sending more than four pass rushers instead they could position two linebackers in the interior then withdrawing them and send a nickel from the outside.

Early on of the season, we said during a show that Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season well and did a good job of building upon that.

Recently acquired TE their tight end has excelled big and new RB their rusher is a guy they believe in. He now ranks fifth league-wide in ground gains (over 400) as well as tied for fourth in rushing scores (4).

I love that the coach the Broncos' leader displays "RUN IT!" prominently of his playcall sheet.

That shows how the Broncos are a team aiming to run first, since you can achieve much based on that approach. It slows down the pass rush and maintains in favourable situations.

This has benefited QB the young passer, who came the NFL as the 12th overall draft pick last year, throwing 29 TDs – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).

Other elite QBs possess powerful arms to throw anywhere, but they lack in the same way that Nix has. He boasts incredible arm talent, which is different, and he's so athletic.

His assets are his mobility, the capacity to pass on the run, as well as finding different arm angles to make the pass as he moves out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to deliver that layered pass over the middle and over the corner.

As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and isn't really fazed by the blitz. He aims to avoid being tackled whenever possible and can pass under pressure. He has a high football IQ and is very decisive.

If you constantly run the ball it consumes the clock and makes the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense has to cover the area downfield side to side. It can be draining.

Nix has bitten back at Payton during games at times and I think the coach appreciates that attitude, that he's such a competitor. In my view it's fun for the coach to coach a young quarterback that is kind of like play-dough. The coach can truly build something up how he wants to shape him. I believe it's a special experience for him.

The head coach owns a championship and has surpassed a legend in all-time victories (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the achievements Denver are having offensively is mostly down to his leadership, his play-calling, his game sense – and the combination with Nix helps shape him into who he is.

You wouldn't want a more qualified person in your ear, to help you through difficult moments and build confidence.

I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in the QB's grit and calm. But is the team strong enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't championship-level play by the Eagles in their last game.

Currently, I don't think Denver are elite. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold their division. All they need to do to continue this trajectory.

They're really good at leaning into their strength, which is running the ball, and that's precisely what they should do against the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.

New York have allowed 140 yards on the ground per game (sixth worst), five rushing touchdowns this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team yet to win a game.

Since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, the Jets are also the first team to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that their new coach was previously a defensive coach with another team.

Following the upcoming matchup, the Broncos have a smooth-ish schedule until their bye (in week 12) - the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, the Texans plus the Raiders before the Kansas City Chiefs.

In their division, the Chiefs are 2-3 while Denver are even with the Chargers at 3-2 so they could challenge at leading the West.

This hinges upon what version Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def