There are no top 10 teams safe in Week 6 of the football season.
One week after a loss to the New York Giants, the Packers' offense was silent in a loss to the New York Jets. Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens lost to the Giants. The San Francisco 49ers were beaten by the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In other games, Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts put up 15 fourth-quarter points to beat the Jacksonville Jags, the Cincinnati Bengals came from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints, and a young quarterback threw for over 300 yards in a New England victory. The Commanders beat the Bears 12-7.
Four teams had a bye this week and will return in Week 7.
Our reporters look ahead to what's next after this week's game, as they react to the biggest revelations. It's time to get to it.
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WSH-CHI | SF-ATL | NE-CLE
NYJ-GB | JAX-IND | MIN-MIA
CIN-NO | BAL-NYG | TB-PIT
Marcus Mariota showed on Sunday why he can still be a great player. On Sunday, he had his best game as an AtlantaFalcon, completing 13 of 14 passes for 129 yards, two touchdown and no turnovers while running six times for 50 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons beat the San Francisco 49ers. He ran coach Arthur Smith's offense perfectly against one of the best defenses in the NFL, and threw an incompletion until 10:52 left in the fourth quarter. It's a good sign that he's starting to feel better about himself.
Is Atlanta's defense good enough to convince you? Dean Pees spoke about how he wanted his defense to be like the ones he ran in Baltimore and New England. The city of Atlanta is starting to look similar to it. The Falcons forced three three-and-outs and scored a touchdown on a fumbled ball. There is concern, too, as both starting defensive backs, A.J. Terrell andCasey Hayward, left the game with injuries, which will be something to watch.
The next game is at Cincinnati on Sunday. The time has not yet been determined.
It's time for the offense to pull more of the weight because the defense can't carry the team due to injuries. Jimmy Garoppolo spoke about the Niners' attempts to find a rhythm a few weeks ago. When the Niners defense was strong, that was fine. The Niners had four healthy players on the field at the end of Sunday's loss, but the offense had to make up the difference. They were not up to the job.
Is it going to hurt? The Niners have more injuries than any other team in the league, with 11 of 22 starting players on injured reserve, a player leaving Sunday's game because of an injury, or both. Nobody can overcome it.
The next game is against the Kansas City Chiefs. The time has not yet been determined.
A.J. Terrell tried to return a fumbled ball for a touchdown, but he lost the ball and the Falcons scored a touchdown.
Who doesn't need a star quarterback? The Jets were able to beat a good team without a prolific passing day by their quarterback, who was held without a touchdown pass for the second game in a row. A classic game of football was played by the Jets. They relied on the running game, a suffocating defense, and big plays by the special teams to overcome Wilson's struggles. It took a few games, but the Jets have found their identity: a smash-mouth offense featuring rookies and a vastly improved defense.
It's time to take the Jets seriously. Yes. They are a legitimate playoff contender. They've won three games in a row for the first time since 2019. They beat the Packers and Dolphins by large margins. When they were blown out on a weekly basis, they changed the script. They were able to control Rodgers for the majority of the time. The Jets are for real.
The next game is at Broncos. The time has not yet been determined.
It was difficult to tell who was worse, Rodgers or his offensive linemen. Rodgers didn't have much of a chance to stand in the pocket because his blocking didn't give him much of a chance to throw. The Packers had six dropped passes. There was a fumbled exchange between Rodgers and Dillon. The Packers can't go more than 312 quarters without scoring an offensive touchdown, which they did on Sunday. Rodgers was hit nine times because his offensive line allowed him to be hit. The Packers have lost consecutive games for the first time under Matt LaFleur.
The Packers might need a receiver. It's hard to imagine how the Packers' passing game will improve if they don't make a trade. They might be counting on Sammy Watkins, who could return this week off injured reserve after spending four weeks on it because of a hamstring injury. Watkins got hurt in practice leading into Week 3 and missed the rest of the season. Or maybe they think that if Christian is able to return, he can add some speed to the lineup. If not, there could be more.
The next game is at Commanders. The time has not yet been determined.
It wasn't a must-win game, but it was important for the team to get their season back on track. playoff teams don't lose three games to backups and New Orleans was without several key players. The game-winning touchdown by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase gave Cincinnati a big boost.
I wonder if Cincinnati's offense is back. It's too early to make a decision. The Bengal's offense had its best performance of the year. He had his best game in a long time. He feasted on short throws. It resulted in the most offensive showing for the team. It's a good sign for a unit that has struggled this season if Cincinnati can duplicate that performance against Atlanta.
The next game is against the Falcons. The time has not yet been determined.
There was some life in the Saints' offense even though they were short at wideout. New Orleans didn't have many superstars like Michael Thomas or Deonte Harty, but they were able to move the chains with the help of a young player named Rashid Shaheed. The team ran for more than 200 yards as a group. They kicked too many field goals and the defense gave up a late touchdown.
Do the Saints continue their relationship with Andy Dalton? It's clear that Jameis Winston is progressing from his back injury, as he is being dressed and active on game day. Even though the offense was compromised, it seems like it has a rhythm with him. Unless the Saints feel that he can boost their chances if he's playing at 100%, they won't be involved in the quarterback controversy.
The next game is at the Cards. The time has not yet been determined.
A third quarter touchdown was scored by Joe and Ja'Marr.
The Giants team is not flustered. The Ravens had more yards in the first half than they had in the whole game. They were down 10 points with less than 10 minutes left in the game. This group does not care about it. They do just enough to win. The Giants found a way to win in the final minutes, even though they weren't the better team. The group is able to bounce back.
How can the Giants improve the offense? With the Giants down 10 and less than 10 minutes to go, Baltimore still focused on Saquon and the run game. New York didn't score a touchdown in the game. The Giants didn't place Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay on injured reserve because they didn't think they'd be able to return in time. At this point, it is their only hope. They're still alive.
The next game is at the Jags. The time has not yet been determined.
One of Lamar Jackson's worst performances will be attributed to this ugly loss. Jackson turned the ball over on the last two drives of the game. Jackson made one of the worst decisions of his career when he decided to throw the ball away. With three minutes left in the game, Jackson picked up a poor snap and threw a pass in the middle of the field that was picked off by Love. Saquon Barkley scored the game-winning touchdown. Another late-game collapse by Baltimore was sealed when Jackson was stripped of the ball.
J.K. Dobbins was the go to running back. Right now, it is possible to make it by default. The biggest positive of the game was the big run by Drake, who became the first Ravens running back to rush for 100 yards this year. He didn't play in the second half because he wasn't the featured back late in the game. He wasn't holding his helmet on the sideline, which could be a sign that he's injured. Drake earned more playing time after being inactive for two games.
The next game is at Cleveland on Sunday. The time has not yet been determined.
With a new coaching staff and completely new schemes installed on both sides of the ball, the Vikings have reached their bye with a perfect 6-1 record. They lost to the Eagles, who were the only perfect team in the league entering Week 6. Only one of the Vikings' five wins has been convincing, and that was their Week 1 defeat of the Packers. The Vikings had as many three-and-out's as they did first downs.
The Vikings' running game was not what it used to be. It was waiting for the right time to happen. Dalvin Cook had been primed for a big game in his hometown but managed only 17 yards on his first 9 carries as the Dolphins' defense presented favorable looks for the passing game. The Vikings passed three times to get time off the clock. Cook ran through the line for a 53-yard touchdown after a reprieve. The running game affected the outcome in more ways than one.
The next game is against theCardinals. The time has not yet been determined.
Regardless of what you think of Tua Tagovailoa's long-term status as the Dolphins' franchise quarterback, it's obvious that this team is better with him on the field. Since Tagovailoa went down in Week 4, the Miami offense has not moved the ball in a consistent fashion. A thumb injury to his throwing hand knocked him out of the game. Teddy Bridgewater was jittery in the pocket, late on his throws and harassed behind an offensive line that gave up 23 pressures. It's not often that you can say one player makes all the difference, but it's reasonable to think that Tagovailoa's return next week will change things.
Can the Dolphins' defense continue to play well over the next month and a half before a long and tiring December? Outside of a 53-yard touchdown run by Dalvin Cook late in the fourth quarter and a 47-yard catch-and-run by Justin Jefferson on the previous series, the Dolphins' best performance of the season was their defense. The Vikings had two plays that accounted for 42% of their offense. It's the start of a trend of improved defensive play as the season progresses. If the Dolphins can keep up their play against the other teams, they should be in good shape by the end of the month.
The next game is against the Steelers. The time has not yet been determined.
This wasn't going to be the game where the Colts discovered a viable offensive gameplan because of how the Jacksonville defense dominated the first meeting. The Colts used a new offensive line configuration, timely throws on crossing routes from quarterback Matt Ryan and deep shots to Alec Pierce to pull off a critical victory. There were two pass interference penalties and a winning touchdown catch byPierce. The improved pass protection made a huge difference in the number of catches.
Is Matt Ryan making things better? Ryan has had a lot of struggles this season, especially in an earlier loss to Jacksonville. Ryan might have shown what he is capable of with better pass protection. Ryan threw for 389 yards and three touchdown as the Colts reworked their line for the second game in a row. Ryan was not sacked in a game for the first time this season and his pocket presence was improved as a result. Ryan's most complete performance was this one.
The next game is at theTitans. The time has not yet been determined.
With back-to-back games against Houston and Indianapolis, the Jags had a chance to take control of the division. They lost both games, including Sunday's game against the Colts on a last-second field goal, and are now 1-2 in the division with no early positive vibes. The Jags haven't won in Nashville since 2013) and have lost nine consecutive games to Houston, so it will be difficult to make up the two games. The Jags are going to fight to stay out of the cellar.
It's a question about whether or not Travis Etienne Jr. should be the Jaguar's feature back. In the last two weeks, Etienne has run for 157 yards on 20 carries and caught five passes for 63 yards, while Robinson has run for 81 yards on 22 carries and caught three passes. The big-play potential that Etienne was drafted to provide was on display when he ran 48 yards for a touchdown against the Colts. It might be time to make that a permanent thing.
The next game is against the Giants. The time has not yet been determined.
Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, played in place of an injured Mac Jones and finished the game with two touchdown and no turnovers. While many of the throws were shorter and allowed his pass-catchings to do the rest, Zappe once again played with composure and stayed within himself to complement a very good New England defense. Last week, when he was asked if he'd heard of "Zappe fever", he smiled and gave the fans a reason to smile.
Will Mac Jones play against the Bears on Monday night? Jones was hoping to play in Cleveland but was unsure if he was there yet. The Pats were given more time until 90 minutes before the game. When Jones came out to the field, he was walking with a limp. Jones has gone from out to questionable on the injury report over the past three weeks. The Bears are coming to town on Monday night, and if he takes the next step, he would be going up against him.
The next game is against the Bears. The time has not yet been determined.
Nick Chubb and the Cleveland running game were taken away by New England. Chubb finished with 56 yards, as the coach forced the quarterback to win the game for the Pats. The Pats were able to control the game from the opening kick off.
Cleveland's season is on the verge. There's still time for the season to continue. Baker Mayfield, Joe Flacco, Mitchell Trubisky, Marcus Mariota, and Bailey Zappe were the quarterbacks who cooked Cleveland for more than 300 yards through the air. The teams are getting ready to face off. The season might not be over, but the way the Browns have played could definitely start to spiral.
The next game is at the Ravens. The time has not yet been determined.
The sack in the first quarter set a new franchise record for sacks by a single player.
Maybe it was Flores' insight into Brady's mind. The defense might have finally figured out how to get pressure without Watt. The defense applied steady pressure and kept the offense out of sync, whatever it was. The patchwork secondary that included James Pierre and Josh Jackson kept the weapons from exploiting a talent mismatch. The only time Brady was brought to attention was by the Steelers.
What will Kenny Pickett's status be in the future? The first home start of the young quarterback was disrupted when he left the game in the third quarter after being hit in the head by a teammate. In the fourth quarter, Trubisky led the team on a touchdown drive, completing 9 of 12 attempts for 142 yards. When he returns, Pickett is still more likely to be the starting quarterback. There is no timetable for clearing concussion protocol.
The next game is at the Dolphins. The time has not yet been determined.
What's happening with the red zone scoring problems? Penalties have been linked to that. Tom Brady sneaked on third-and-1 in the fourth quarter. They were able to get to the 17-, 1- and 4-yard lines, but couldn't score until there was 1:45 left in the game. For a team with Super Bowl ambitions, they have not lived up to their potential.
The offense looks out of sync. There are many reasons for this. The offensive line isn't performing well. Goedeke was once again lost. Fournette got clobbered in the backfield as the Bucs couldn't run the ball effectively. Brady had a hard day. Heading into Sunday's game, his off-target percentage was over 15%. It was 22% against Pittsburgh. He had trouble when targeting Chris Godwin. It wasn't a big deal that Brady missed Saturday's walk-through to attend the wedding, but with the offense struggling, it probably didn't help.
The next game is at the Carolinas. The time has not yet been determined.
Washington has a lot of work to do. The Commanders won the game, but coach Ron Rivera was angry after the game about the same mistakes that have cost the team other games. In three games, they have committed 27 penalties. They give up big plays and have a hard time scoring. smarter, more disciplined play is required for a true turn around.
The run game can lead to a change. Washington ran the ball better in the second half than it did in the first. Running the ball consistently is the key to a successful turn around. They are able to mix Brian Robinson's power runs with AntonioGibson's ability to get around the corner. A consistent run game is the first step in turning around an offense. There will be struggles until they solve their protection issues. They could be efficient if he got help up front.
The next game is against the Packers. The time has not yet been determined.
The Bears took 11 snaps inside the 6-yard line, but couldn't score. The offense's inefficiencies were showcased in a number of ways, starting with an interception thrown by Fields at Washington's 5-yard line, a missed throw to tight end RyanGriffin that Fields stressed.
How can he improve despite what is around him? What's being asked of Fields needs to be reexamined by the Bears. His development is being hampered by Chicago's weaknesses. How can Fields improve when he's being pressured on almost half of his dropbacks and his receiver can't consistently make a catch? If the Bears want to get a better idea of Fields' development over the next 11 games, they need to make a number of adjustments.
The next game is at New England. The time has not yet been determined.
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