NFL Week 6 delivered a slate of comebacks, turbulence in Los Angeles, and a messy Sunday for the NFC East.
NFL Week 6: Comebacks define the slate
Deshaun Watson again owned the fourth quarter. Written off after four difficult seasons in Cleveland, he won the starting job in camp and is making the most of it. After struggling for three quarters, Watson led his fourth fourth-quarter winning drive of the season, lifting the Browns over the Ravens 13-10 to reach 4-2. He hit Jerry Jeudy for 33 yards in the final minute, setting up Andre Szmyt’s 37-yard game-winner as time expired. Browns coach Todd Monken said Watson can play better but praised his knack for making plays when needed. Watson said he relishes two-minute opportunities and wants to “finish the game” for fans.
In Atlanta, the Bears welcomed Caleb Williams back after a three-game absence with a hamstring injury, and he looked sharp. Williams completed his first 12 passes and went 30 of 36 for 305 yards and a touchdown in Chicago’s 31-23 win over the Falcons. His 83% completion rate marked the best in franchise history with at least 30 attempts. At 4-2, the Bears face the Patriots and Seahawks next, and a healthy Williams boosts their chances in the NFC North.
In Tampa, the Steelers erased a 16-3 deficit entering the fourth quarter and edged the Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime. Aaron Rodgers, 42, finished 33 of 49 for 253 yards and two touchdown passes, including a 6-yard strike to Germie Bernard in OT. He said the offense found rhythm with quicker, on-the-ball concepts down the stretch.
NFL Week 6: Trouble mounting in Los Angeles
Los Angeles fans are seeing poor football. The Rams are 2-4 and far from preseason expectations after entering the year as strong Super Bowl favorites. They fell 18-16 at home to the Cardinals as 12.5-point favorites, managing just 286 yards while issues on defense and special teams again proved costly. A headline offseason that included Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald has been undercut by injuries, with Garrett missing five games and Donald two.
The Chargers’ problems are even larger. They fell 22-6 at Kansas City and are 0-6 for the first time since 2000, when Jim Harbaugh was the team’s quarterback. Justin Herbert has struggled in his first season with offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, posting five touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 68.8 passer rating. A battered offensive line has added to the woes. The Rams and Chargers meet in Week 8, and given the recent form, a stalemate would almost fit.
NFL Week 6: Ejections and possible discipline
Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected during Buffalo’s 33-30 win over the Raiders for spitting on an opponent, then apologized to teammates. Chiefs defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace was ejected for punching Chargers lineman Alex Harkey. Both should expect fines this week. Gardner-Johnson could face a suspension, with one game serving as the baseline last season for spitting incidents involving Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter.
NFL Week 6: NFC East slips
It was a rough Sunday for the NFC East. The division went 0-3 as the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles all lost. With Jalen Hurts out, Philadelphia fell 25-14 to Carolina and is now 2-4. Dallas also dropped to 2-4 after a 23-13 defeat in Green Bay. The Eagles host the Cowboys next week.
The Giants lost 34-27 at home to the Saints, though the game also featured a quarterback change in New York as J.J. McCarthy replaced Jameis Winston and nearly led a rally. Running back Cam Skattebo had no carries, and coach John Harbaugh declined to call it a punishment. The Giants are 3-2-1 and visit Houston next Sunday. Washington sits at 1-3-1 and can gain ground with a Monday night matchup at undefeated San Francisco, which is 5-0.
