The “Battle of the Beltway” takes place Sunday at 1 p.m. ET because the red-hot Washington Commanders journey north to face the Ravens in Baltimore. Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels versus Lamar Jackson must be pure fireworks, nevertheless it’s removed from the one intriguing matchup this weekend.
The Buffalo Bills, picked to contend for a Super Bowl earlier than the season, will look to rebound after two straight losses towards the New York Jets, who fired their head coach Robert Saleh this week.
The Cowboys welcome the Detroit Lions to Dallas in a battle of high NFC groups. Rookie QB Drake Maye may even make his first profession begin for the Patriots as New England faces the Houston Texans.
Here’s what to look at for in Week 6.
Washington (4-1) at Baltimore (3-2)
By finishing a league-leading 77% of his passes and turning into solely the third rookie quarterback since 1950 to begin and win 4 of his staff’s first 5 video games, Daniels has produced one of many rarest commodities within the NFL — hope in Washington. A win would give the Commanders their finest begin since 1996. But is Washington’s patchwork protection as much as stopping Jackson and working again Derrick Henry?
Henry has scored in all 5 video games this season whereas dashing for a league-high 572 yards. Considering down and distance, Henry has rushed for 229 yards greater than anticipated, in accordance with superior NFL stats. This matchup of Beltway neighbors doesn’t occur usually — that is solely the eighth regular-season assembly all-time — nevertheless it’s one of the thrilling matchups of the season so far.
Colts (2-3) at Titans (1-3)
Two questions hover above Indianapolis: Can Joe Flacco realistically produce one other age-defying efficiency, after throwing for 359 yards with no turnovers and almost engineering a 14-point comeback in Jacksonville? And ought to Flacco return to the bench if starter Anthony Richardson returns from an harm?
The Titans have their very own quarterback difficulty: If starter Will Levis returns from his personal harm, can he cease turning the ball over? His six interceptions are tied for an NFL-high — with Richardson.
Buccaneers (3-2) at New Orleans (2-3)
With Derek Carr injured in Monday’s loss at Kansas City, the Saints are hoping new quarterback Spencer Rattler can revive an offense that averaged 45.5 factors throughout a 2-0 begin, however solely 16.3 since in three consecutive losses. No stress, rook. Tampa’s first precedence this week was searching for security in New Orleans when it relocated forward of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. When its focus turns to soccer, the Saints’ protection will must be higher at shutting down the run, after at present permitting 4.9 yards per carry.
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Browns (1-4) and Eagles (2-2)
These are two groups determined to indicate progress offensively. Cleveland is the one staff to have scored 18 factors or fewer in every recreation this season, but has stayed resolute that Deshaun Watson will stay the Browns’ starter regardless of league-low manufacturing. For the Eagles, it’s a great signal that huge receivers Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown seem near coming back from accidents.
Steelers (3-2) at Raiders (2-3)
Aidan O’Connell is the Raiders’ quarterback going ahead after Las Vegas benched Gardner Minshew final week, and receiver Davante Adams, the topic of commerce talks, isn’t anticipated to step on the sector. Could change even be coming for Pittsburgh?
QB Justin Fields is dynamic however wasn’t constant in consecutive losses, each by simply 3 factors. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson practiced totally Wednesday for the primary time since injuring his calf a month in the past.
Bengals (1-4) at Giants (2-3)
With 4 losses by a mixed 15 factors, are the Bengals snakebitten or simply not ok to win shut video games? If they’ll’t discover defensive solutions — they’re permitting 34.4 factors per recreation their final three weeks — their already slim playoff odds doubtless develop into insurmountable.
For that matter, the Giants face questions of their very own about their readiness for the highlight. Since 2017, the Giants have misplaced 10 of their final 11 prime-time video games at residence. Watch how successfully Cincinnati protects Joe Burrow towards a Giants protection with a league-high 22 sacks.
Bills (3-2) at Jets (2-3)
From a purely soccer perspective, this recreation lacks the attraction of, say, the Ravens-Commanders or Lions-Cowboys. But with Buffalo skidding to consecutive losses, Josh Allen not trying like his ordinary self, and the Jets being solely days faraway from firing coach Robert Saleh — full with Aaron Rodgers saying he “resents” the suggestion that he bought the coach fired — few matchups could possibly be juicier. The winner will be capable of stave off frustration for per week, whereas the loser’s free-fall will proceed.
Jaguars vs. Bears (in London at 9:30 a.m. ET)
The Jaguars are of their second residence (London) to face a Bears staff that’s on an upswing. Chicago has received two in a row, albeit towards groups (the Panthers and Rams) that haven’t been excellent to date this season. Jacksonville can be coming off its lone win of the 12 months.
After throwing for no touchdowns and two interceptions within the first two weeks of the season, Caleb Williams has thrown 5 touchdowns and two interceptions within the final three.
Cardinals (2-3) at Packers (3-2)
Both the Cardinals and Packers are coming off good victories in Week 5. Green Bay bounced again in a win over Los Angeles, their first of the season with Jordan Love beginning at quarterback. Arizona upset the 49ers in San Francisco to maneuver inside a recreation of the NFC West lead. Can Love play a clear recreation? He has 5 interceptions in three video games to date this 12 months.
Texans (4-1) at Patriots (1-4)
The Texans had among the best wins of the week final Sunday, handing the Bills their second-straight loss. Meanwhile, the Patriots had been so ineffective in a loss to the Dolphins that they are lastly making a change at QB to rookie Drake Maye. It’s going to be a tricky problem for Maye, who will probably be enjoying behind an iffy offensive line towards a Houston protection that’s eighth within the NFL in sacks.
Chargers (2-3) at Broncos (3-2)
Break up the Broncos! Denver has received three straight, together with two spectacular street upsets in Tampa Bay and New York. After throwing 4 interceptions within the first two weeks of the season, Bo Nix hasn’t thrown any within the final three. He’s additionally coming off one of the best recreation of his brief profession to date, throwing for 2 scores and working for an additional in a win over the Raiders. The Chargers had a bye final week after dropping two straight. And quarterback Justin Herbert was nonetheless restricted in observe this week with an ankle harm.
Falcons (3-2) at Panthers (1-4)
The Falcons shocked the Buccaneers on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 5, and now face a Panthers staff whose new-quarterback magic has seemingly worn off. Carolina has misplaced two in a row after successful its first recreation with Andy Dalton on the helm. Kirk Cousins, in the meantime, is fifth in passing yards per recreation regardless of a gradual begin for Atlanta’s offense.
Lions (3-1) at Cowboys (3-2)
This must be among the best video games of the week. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys salvaged a win in Pittsburgh per week in the past, surviving a sloppy recreation due to a game-winning drive by Prescott. The Lions are 3-1 after a bye in Week 5.
Both offenses must be potent on this one. The Cowboys are nonetheless Tenth-worst within the league in factors allowed per recreation even after giving up solely 32 mixed within the final two weeks. The Lions are conceding 349.0 yards per recreation, Eleventh-worst within the NFL.