It was a topsy-turvy week across the NFL.
The New York Jets gave us the first head coach firing of the season. In Cleveland, the pressure continues to mount on Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Deshaun Watson. New Orleans had to go to a backup plan at quarterback (Spencer Rattler) far sooner than expected with Derek Carr sidelined by injury. And divisional races are just getting started with roughly two-thirds of the season still to be played. The NFC West took center stage Thursday night as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks.
The action continues Sunday morning with another game in London, 11 more games later in the day and one Monday night matchup.
Here’s a look at five of the biggest storylines in Week 6. (Find the full schedule here.)
One of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks meets one of the most electrifying newcomers Sunday in Baltimore. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and his Ravens welcome early Rookie of the Year front-runner Jayden Daniels and his Commanders. Baltimore enters this game on a three-game win streak and is tied for first in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, Washington has won four straight and is trying to stay ahead of the pack in the NFC East.
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Commanders-Ravens isn’t a rivalry, but Jayden Daniels and Lamar Jackson could change that
Daniels, who last week became the first player in NFL history to record at least 1,000 passing yards (1,135) and 250 rushing yards (300) in the first five games of his career, is often compared to Jackson because of their athleticism and dual-threat capabilities. Both certainly cause headaches for opposing defenses — Jackson has passed (1,206) and rushed (363) for even more yards than Daniels. Jackson and Daniels also rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in passer rating (Jackson at 107.2, Daniels 106.2).
But Daniels said this week that while he considers his fellow Heisman Trophy winner to be a big brother of sorts, he prefers to be viewed as his own player. Jackson heaped praise on the rookie and supported Daniels’ take.
This game very well could come down to whichever defense neutralizes the opposing quarterback and supporting cast. Both teams’ defenses are in a growth stage while players adjust to new coordinators and new roles. And both defenses face prolific offenses — Washington averages a league-best 31.0 points per game and Baltimore is No. 2 with 29.4. It all starts with stopping the run, which is easier said than done: The Ravens rank first in average rushing yards per game (211.2) and the Commanders are second (178.4). (Commanders at Ravens, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)
Spencer Rattler makes his NFL debut Sunday against the Bucs. (Kyle Terada / Imagn Images)
2. Rookie QBs get their day
Daniels isn’t the only rookie passer making headlines this week. A season-high five rookies will start at quarterback Sunday: Daniels, the Bears’ Caleb Williams and Broncos’ Bo Nix will be joined by Rattler and Drake Maye, both making their NFL debuts.
Maye takes over as starter for the New England Patriots, who have lost four straight. The 2024 No. 3 pick replaces Jacoby Brissett, who managed only two touchdown passes in five games while directing a Patriots offense ranked 31st in the league in scoring (12.4 points per game). Maye faces the tall task of overcoming a Houston Texans defense that ranks fourth in the league.
Meanwhile, Rattler and the Saints host the Buccaneers. Rattler, a fifth-round pick, displayed promise during the preseason and will try to restore explosiveness to an offense that scored 47 and 44 points in the first two games, but has since mustered only 49 total points during a three-game losing skid.
First, though, it’s a big week for Williams. He makes his international debut against the Jaguars in London, where the Bears are seeking a third consecutive victory. Williams is coming off his best game, a 36-10 win over Carolina in which he completed 69 percent of his passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He took only one sack and posted a career-best 126.2 passer rating. By working more earnestly to establish the run game, Chicago’s offensive coaches finally seem to have found a balanced formula for success for their young quarterback. As a result, their offense has steadily improved. Now they’ll try to continue that success against 1-4 Jacksonville. If successful, it would mark the Bears’ first three-game win streak since Weeks 14 through 16 of the 2020 season.
Later in the day, Nix (the 12th pick of the draft) tries to lead the host Broncos past the Chargers for their fourth straight victory. (Bears vs. Jaguars in London, 9:30 a.m. ET; Buccaneers at Saints and Texans at Patriots, 1 p.m. ET; Chargers at Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET. All games Sunday.)
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3. Sirianni, Stefanski feel the heat
It’s not often that projected contenders are in dire straits so early, but that’s where the Browns and Eagles find themselves. The Eagles (2-2) return from their bye Sunday in Philadelphia hoping to put a listless 33-16 loss to Tampa Bay behind them. The Browns, meanwhile, are 1-4 and losers of three straight. The pressure is mounting on both head coaches.
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NFL head coaches on hot seat may include Browns’ Kevin Stefanski, Eagles’ Nick Sirianni
Nick Sirianni took the Eagles to the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, but they never quite recovered from a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles lost five of their final six games last year. Philadelphia has plenty of talent this season but has failed to capitalize. Injuries, inconsistencies and acclimation to a new system have hampered the offense. Youth and unfamiliarity with a new scheme has limited the defense. Sirianni must figure out how to reignite his team before the patience of general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie runs out.
Kevin Stefanski can relate. He has a $230 million quarterback and a roster with talented players at many key positions, yet the Browns have yet to play up to their potential. Some of the struggles make sense. A once-robust offensive line is crippled by injuries. Running back Nick Chubb remains a couple of weeks away from returning from a knee injury that ended his 2023 season. Top defensive playmaker Myles Garrett is nursing a foot injury and Cleveland’s once-dominant defense has regressed.
Priority No. 1 remains helping Watson rekindle even an ounce of the magic that made him one of the best players in the league before his legal issues, unceremonious exit from Houston and ensuing megadeal with the Browns. Stefanski continues to pledge loyalty to Watson, and he insists that he doesn’t need to give up play-calling duties. He does, however, need to alter his approach. He seems intent on directing a pass-heavy attack, but Watson lacks the mojo and his line lacks the strength to protect its struggling quarterback enough to make this possible. Can Stefanski, a two-time Coach of the Year (2020, 2023), regain the creative touch necessary to ease the pressure on his line and quarterback and position Cleveland for a rebound? (Browns at Eagles, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)
Dak Prescott and Rico Dowdle celebrate a Cowboys fourth-quarter TD last week. (Barry Reeger / Imagn Images)
4. Cowboys’ measuring-stick game vs. Lions
Expectations are always sky high in Dallas, and after back-to-back victories (including a last-minute comeback win over Pittsburgh), the 3-2 Cowboys hope they have gotten things back on track.
There’s no better way to gauge progress than a test against Detroit, one of the best teams in the NFC. Fresh off their bye, and boasting a top-10 offense and defense, the Lions look to extend their win streak to three games.
The Cowboys would obviously like to be at full strength against the Lions, who made the NFC Championship Game last season and two weeks ago scored 42 points on Seattle. However, Dallas is likely to be without top defensive player Micah Parsons, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury. Defensive standout DeMarcus Lawrence is also out with a foot injury.
That means there’s even more pressure on Dak Prescott to ignite Dallas’ offense. Prescott last week overcame two interceptions to direct the game-winning drive, capped by a touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert with 20 seconds left. Can this inconsistent Cowboys offense keep pace with Jared Goff and company? (Lions at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.)
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Jerry Jones sees a solution with how the Cowboys can deal with rash of injuries
5. Can coaching change jump-start Jets?
The Jets declared themselves Super Bowl contenders after trading for Aaron Rodgers, but they had to put those title hopes on hold last season following the quarterback’s Achilles injury in Week 1. This was supposed to be their year, however, with Rodgers healthy and an offensive line and defensive front both revamped.
Instead, it’s just been more of the same struggles, leading to a 2-3 start and team owner Woody Johnson to fire Robert Saleh in the coach’s fourth season.
Now the Jets turn to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as interim coach. Quarterbacks coach Todd Downing takes over as offensive play caller after the unit mustered just 18.6 points per game (25th in the NFL) under Nathaniel Hackett’s direction. (Hackett, who shares a close relationship with Rodgers, remains on staff.)
It’ll be interesting to see if Saleh’s firing can jump-start this team. Rodgers had criticized his former head coach for failing to hold players accountable, and there were reports Saleh was starting to lose the locker room. Even if Ulbrich can set a better tone for the Jets, Rodgers will have to play better individually.
Last week, he completed just 53.7 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions. For the season, Rodgers is completing only 61 percent of his passes (second-worst clip of his career as a starter) with a passer rating of 81.6 (career low as a starter).
Johnson called this Jets team one of the most talented assembled during his ownership, and he still believes Super Bowl hopes are alive. A hungry Buffalo Bills team comes to town Monday night, so we’ll quickly find out if the Jets can hold their own against a perennial playoff competitor. (Bills at Jets, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday.)
(Top photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)