Week 6 Takeaways for the 2026 NFL Season
One only has to spend 4 weeks on IR, and several players returned this week after landing on the list following week 1. Their results varied greatly. Patriots WR AJ Brown (3/27) dropped 3 passes, while Jets rookie WR Omar Cooper (6/103/1) had a 100-yard game and a deep TD. Preseason darling WR Ja’Kobi Lane (4/40) had a solid performance for the Ravens, and Bears CB Kyler Gordon turned into a DE with 3 sacks. As frequently as players are getting hurt, reinforcements are arriving, providing teams with fresh hope partway through the campaign. Let’s get up to speed with my week 6 takeaways for the 2025 NFL season!
TNF: OT Games and Seahawks Turnovers Continue as Broncos Win
Nothing about this game was pretty. One team had 168 yards of total offense, and they won 17-14. The other team passed the eye test better but made the critical mistakes that continue to doom them. In the latter case, I’m talking about the Seahawks, whose penalties and turnovers cost them dearly for the second week in a row. On the penalty front, two fouls single-handedly gifted Denver 7 points: a Byron Murphy II facemask on a 3rd-down play that would’ve forced a punt, and a Devon Witherspoon PI foul in the end zone that put that ball at the 1 on the same drive. A 3-and-out suddenly became a 79-yard TD drive for the Broncos.
I don’t want to harp too much on the defensive fouls because Seattle’s defense was otherwise great. They allowed just one other TD drive and pitched a second-half shutout, ceding under 200 yards in a game that included OT. Instead, let’s talk about turnovers, as they’ve become a real problem. WR Rashid Shaheed (5/66) fumbled twice, losing one of them on Seattle’s best second-quarter possession. QB Sam Darnold (27/51, 278 yards, 2 INTs; 2/19 rushing) has regressed. His first INT can be partially blamed on his receiver’s subpar route, but the cross-field throw in OT that produced his second pick was inexcusable.
Denver’s offense was arguably worse, though they at least held onto the football. QB Bo Nix (17/27, 107 yards) doesn’t look like himself. He isn’t running, and he seems afraid to throw the ball into tight windows. His rushing attack was no help, as it averaged just 2.6 YPC. The first-half play calling of HC Sean Payton was a notable improvement, as it yielded a hot start and a 14-3 lead. I can even defend his second-half decisions despite the lack of points: with a defense playing so well, trusting them made sense. Seattle couldn’t get out of their own way for most of the game, and their offensive line failed to hold in pass protection.
The flip side of that is how well Denver’s defense performed. Seven played contributed .5 sacks or more for a total of 5. Playing without CB Patrick Surtain II or S Talanoa Hufanga, the secondary was mostly fantastic. CB Kris Abrams-Draine did a marvelous job on elite WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (12/134) in the first half. Even though the talented wideout got hot in the second half (you can never hold JSN down for a full game) as Seattle rallied to tie the score and force OT, Abrams-Draine got the last laugh with his INT of Darnold during the 4th quarter. DC Vance Joseph is leading one the league’s best stop units.
Seattle is oddly enough in a pretty good spot. If they stop beating themselves, they’ll be nearly unstoppable. All 3 of their losses this year have been self-inflicted. It’s worth noting that they had 3 losses total last season, but everything here is fixable. Denver’s situation is more interesting. That defense is excellent, full stop. Their offense is utterly broken. In an interesting twist, the Broncos flipped the script: the comeback kids actually held a lead but squandered it. I actually don’t have any ideas about how to fix the problem. A good offensive line and quality skill players are present. Nix simply needs to play better football.
Browns, Steelers Move into 3-Way Tie Atop AFC North via Comebacks
Once again, the AFC North is brutal. I mean that in a good way, as all 4 teams have winning records. Cincinnati is last at 3-2 because their week 6 bye has them a half-game behind the leaders. And by “leaders”, I mean all 3 of the other teams. Technically in first because of a tiebreaker would be the Cleveland Browns. This is not a sentence I expected to type this season, but here we are. Cleveland made it to 4-2 in the only way they know how: bogging down a game with their defense and pulling off a 4th-quarter comeback. True to form, the Browns trailed the Ravens 10-0 at the half, but the defense held firm from there.
With backup QB Tyler Huntley (19/31, 165 yards, TD; 5/28 rushing) still in for the Ravens, their offense didn’t have the dynamic element that could really challenge Cleveland. Two mistakes really changed the game. First, Baltimore K Tyler Loop missed a 49-yard FG that would’ve changed a 10-3 game into a two-score affair. Second, Browns LB Carson Schwesinger (13 tackles) forced a fumble by RB Derrick Henry (17/58), which Cleveland converted into a tying TD. For the 4th time this year, QB Deshaun Watson (16/26, 164 yards; 8/29 rushing) led a game-winning drive, which K Andre Szmyt paid off with an FG. These Browns are scrappy!
In Florida, the Buccaneers hosted the Steelers, and they too were in dire straits. Tampa’s defense held Pittsburgh to just 3 points and held a 13-point lead through 3 quarters. Unfortunately, as well as he performed in the team’s upset over the Cowboys, UDFA QB Jalon Daniels (22/43, 164 yards, TD, 2 INTs; 4/39 rushing) imploded in this game. He threw 2 forced INTs in the 4th quarter alone and couldn’t sustain drives due to inaccurate throws, allowing Pittsburgh to chip away at the lead. The Buccaneers couldn’t hold forever on defense, and a TD plus 3 Chris Boswell field goals actually gave the Steelers a 19-16 late in the game.
To his credit, Daniels (whose childhood hero was Aaron Rodgers) delivered with a game-tying FG drive to force OT. In the extra period, the veteran topped the rookie. Rodgers (33/49, 253 yards, 2 TDs, INT) showed his mastery of the situation, hitting WRs DK Metcalf (11/93) and rookie Germie Bernard (11/87/1) for consistent gains, with the latter scoring the go-ahead TD. CB Jalen Ramsey (2 sacks) sacked Daniels on 4th down to kill the Bucs’ last-gasp drive, sending Pittsburgh to a victory. This team does not seem all that good, and yet they keep finding ways to win. Ironically, that fact itself is the mark of a pretty good team.
Bears Get Their QB Back, Giants Don’t Know Who Theirs Is
Chicago really struggled last week against Green Bay, which made it crucial for starting QB Caleb Williams to return from his hamstring injury. Within just a few plays, Williams (30/36, 305 yards, TD) proved what a difference he could make. He completed his first 12 passes, and he threw just 6 incompletions on the day. The Bears jumped out to a 31-7 lead over the Falcons, as the passing attack unloaded on poor Atlanta. While the running game vultured 3 TDs, it was Williams who made the offense go. He didn’t run much, but he showed good mobility to escape the pocket. I saw no ill effects from his injured hamstring.
Second-year players Luther Burden (8/95) and Colston Loveland (6/65) had great outings thanks to their QB upgrade. Williams’ cannon arm and seemingly improved accuracy helped the team immensely, and even the defense looked energized. I’m not sure what happened in the 4th quarter, where the Bears took their foot off the gas and allowed a furious Atlanta comeback. The final score of 31-23 appeared far closer than the game actually was. Regardless, the Bears emerged victorious and back to their high-scoring ways. With every NFC North team currently above .500, Williams’ return is a needed shot in the arm for Chicago.
The Giants’ QB situation took an unexpected turn. Backup Jameis Winston strung together two really strong outings in a row, and his team started well against the Saints. However, a special teams fumble late in the first half turned a 10-0 NYG advantage into a 17-10 deficit in the blink of an eye. I think Winston (14/26, 152 yards, TD, 2 INTs) tried too hard to compensate for his suddenly porous defense (which allowed 34 unanswered points in total), and some throws got away from him. Down 24 in the 4th quarter, the Giants pulled Winston in favor of recent trade acquisition JJ McCarthy, who promptly threw an INT of his own.
Presumably because New Orleans only game-planned for Winston, McCarthy and his play style caught them completely off guard. In less than one quarter, McCarthy (11/21, 243 yards, TD, INT; 2/26 rushing) led the team in rushing and put up 17 points. His final drive came up just 14 yards short, and the Saints escaped. Putting aside the poor running game (RB Cam Skattebo curiously had 0 carries after last week’s fumble), the Giants have a QB controversy on their hands. Frankly, McCarthy won’t do as well against opponents who are expecting him, and he had several picks dropped by the defense. If I had to choose, I’d stick with Jameis.
Texans and Titans Upset Their Intradivisional Opponents
Don’t look now, but the Houston Texans are suddenly dangerous again. In London to face the Jaguars, CJ Stroud (24/34, 312 yards, 3 TDs, INT) and Trevor Lawrence (24/41, 306 yards, 4 TDs, INT) engaged in a QB duel. This was odd given the supposedly vaunted defenses they both faced. Jacksonville’s stop unit had its worst game of the season. They allowed a 40-yard rusher for the first time (two in fact: Woody Marks (15/56; 2/25 receiving) and Jawhar Jordan (6/43/1)). Also, a 12-men penalty on 4th down extended a Texans drive, which Houston cashed in with a TD for WR Jaylin Noel (4/107/1), who had a breakout game.
Jacksonville had plenty of good things too. The Jags piled up 31 points, including a 60-yard tying Cam Little FG. WR/CB Travis Hunter (4/59/1) caught a TD at one end of the field and then picked off a Stroud pass at the other end. Oddly, both of his career receiving TDs have come at Wembley. It was Stroud’s first INT of the season. And therein lies the problem: Stroud has just been great this year. Since his playoff collapse, he has been under a microscope, and he has excelled. He calmly led his team down the field for a GW FG, and he’s carrying an underperforming defense. The Texans would be far out of the AFC South race without him.
At the bottom of the division. Indianapolis hosted Tennessee in a dreadful offensive showcase. Indy moved the ball just fine, but QB Daniel Jones (22/42, 269 yards, TD, 2 INTs; 3/30 rushing) and RB Jonathan Taylor (21/94/1; 2/57 receiving) turned the ball over 3 times. One INT was just a ridiculous play by S Amani Hooker, but the turnovers hurt. Regardless, the Colts built a 13-0 halftime lead because the Titans couldn’t do anything against even this poor defense. It was Tennessee’s defense and special teams that ruled the second half though. Two colts turnovers led to 2 FGs, the Titans’ first points, and things spiraled from there.
PR Chimere Dike returned a punt 58 yards, setting up an easy TD that tied the game. A punt block by Julius Chestnut produced an Oluwafemi Oladejo scoop and score, and suddenly Tennessee led. The defense did the rest. Led by elite DT Jeffrey Simmons (2 sacks, FF, FUM rec) and DE Jermaine Johnson II, the Titans sacked Jones 6 times and held Indy to just 7 second-half points. Two more FGs from K Joey Slye (he had 4 on the day) put the Titans up for good. Tennessee’s first win (and the first for HC Robert Saleh in that role) was quite nice, but there are plenty of concerns, specifically about QB Cam Ward (11/22, 102 yards, TD, INT).
The second-year player still looks awful, and his offense did nothing to produce this victory. It’s too early to write Ward off, but the scrutiny is only growing. At least 4th overall pick Carnell Tate (6/70/1) is developing into a WR1. For the Colts, losing at home to the Titans is a season killer. I was going to suggest that the Colts should fire GM Chris Ballard for the poor roster he created, but they already did that! You can see my grade for that move here, but I think it’s clear where I stand. It’s time for Indianapolis to build their team correctly, and it starts at QB. Jones isn’t the answer, which is leading to another lost season.
Rams, Eagles, and Cowboys are in Major Trouble
Three teams that were expected to compete for a title have all stumbled out of the gate, and critically, things aren’t looking up for any of them. First is our supposed super team, the LA Rams. Losing at home to the Arizona Cardinals should eliminate you, but fortunately that’s not how the NFL works. Aside from a final-drive sequence where the Rams allowed a 21-yard pass and committed an unnecessary roughness penalty to allow Arizona to kick a GW FG, the defense was actually great. They allowed just 6 FGs, no TDs. Offensively, LA was awful, and QB Matthew Stafford (25/33, 222 yards, 2 TDs) seems a bit out of rhythm.
Nothing came easily for the Rams against a bad Cardinals defense, and even though they took a late lead, it was too little too late. I can’t even say that LT Alaric Jackson being out (for a dumb reason) mattered. That’s not even the worst part: injuries just keep coming. New kicker Blake Grupe is done for the year with a knee injury that he suffered while making a tackle. WR Davante Adams (3/39) is out 6-10 weeks with a hamstring injury. DT Poona Ford tore his triceps. A 2-4 start isn’t the end of the world (even though LA is last in the NFC West right now). They just might not have enough good players left to rebound.
Philadelphia has a much more somber situation. My comments on the Eagles were going to concern their injury-ravaged roster and the poor play of backup QB Tanner McKee against Carolina this week. McKee wasn’t very good, Philly has no RBs left, and the offensive line is in shambles. However, we have to focus on starting QB Jalen Hurts. Hurts missed this game due to blood clots, and then he got placed on IR. Since then, his clots have worsened and moved to his lungs, afflicting him with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. His year is officially done, and so is Philly’s season. First, let’s address Hurts’ health.
The reason he can’t play is that he’ll be on blood thinners, and the hits he might take could cause him to bleed badly. That’s a secondary concern right now. I’ve seen careers end due to blood clots (Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat comes to mind). Hurts’ doctors need to make sure he will be alright moving forward before thinking about his football future. Now for the Eagles. Even if Hurts comes back next year, this is a team in transition. Their season is a lost cause unless a major QB trade is in the works. McKee can’t carry this damaged roster, and Philly’s lackluster loss to Carolina leaves them at 2-4. Their one hope is that…
…their division rivals are just as bad. The entire NFC East (NFC Least again?) lost this week, and the most demoralizing defeat was suffered by the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas’ defense is a known problem. Technically, allowing 23 points to a Packers team that just air raided Chicago isn’t too bad for them. They earned 3 sacks and an INT, which have been rarities for this team. Even though this defense wasn’t great, it should’ve been enough to win with a potent offense. Unfortunately, “potent” isn’t a word that describes Dallas’ offense over the past 2 weeks. Their stinker against Tampa could’ve been an outlier. Instead, a trend is forming.
For the second straight week, the Cowboys were unable to get out of their own way. QB Dak Prescott (34/54, 258 yards, TD, 2 INTs) threw two more INTs. One killed a red zone drive, while the other came because WR CeeDee Lamb (9/70) fell down on a slant route. By the time they got anything going, the score was 17-0. Two 4th-quarter turnovers on downs sealed their fate, and a garbage-time score to make the final result 23-13 didn’t help. Obviously, Dallas can’t win with these struggles. They sometimes lose when they score 30! Their $60M QB needs to play better, and the entire team must improve. The division is still winnable.