2024 NFL Week 6: Top Takeaways for Every Game

Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season brought plenty of excitement.

Two teams remain undefeated: the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs. They will stay that way through Week 6, as both teams are on a bye.

Still, the week brought its fair share of intriguing games.

The opener featured an NFC West showdown in which the San Francisco 49ers took back first place in the division while suffering yet another potential major injury. The finale saw the Buffalo Bills snap a two game losing streak and issues persist for the struggling New York Jets.

There was plenty to absorb between the bookends.

The sizzling-hot Washington Commanders traveled to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson and fell flat against the surging Baltimore Ravens. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears continued their march to relevance in London, while rookie quarterbacks Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler made their first NFL starts. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions kept rolling, though a critical injury looms large for Detroit.

And just as they do every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski offered up the biggest takeaways from all 14 games in Week 6.

Backfield Depth May Be Key to Unlocking Bills' Offensive Efficiency

Monday's game ended when Taron Johnson picked off Aaron Rodgers' final pass of the game. However, Buffalo's offense did plenty to put the team in position to win.

The Bills were forced to play without Pro Bowl running back James Cook, who is dealing with a toe injury. However, the offense didn't seem to miss a beat thanks to the impressive play of backup Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis.

Davis was particularly impactful, flashing his skills as a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher throughout the game. He finished with 97 rushing yards, three catches and 55 receiving yards.

While Cook will undoubtedly remain a big part of the game plan upon his return, offensive coordinator Joe Brady must consider creating more opportunities for Johnson and Davis.

With Davis playing a significant role, the Bills got a clean, efficient performance out of Josh Allen (19-of-25 for 215 yards, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD)—something Buffalo didn't see during its two-game losing streak.

Over the past two weeks, Allen was a combined 25-of-59 for 311 yards and one touchdown. His struggles his lack of a go-to wide receiver have led to plenty of trade speculation. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Buffalo has been among teams "monitoring" the situation of Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams.

The Bills may look to acquire a receiver ahead of the November 5 trade deadline. In the meantime, however, they'd be smart to rely a little less on Allen's ability to carry the offense—though the occasional shot is certainly warranted—and a little more on the team's surplus of backfield talent.

It's a formula that helped settle the offense when Brady became the play-caller last season and one that helped make Cook a star in the first place.

Coaching Changes May Improve Jets Offense, But Problems Run Deep

The big storyline surrounding the Jets entering Monday night was, obviously, the coaching changes made last week. New York fired former head coach Robert Saleh, replaced him with Jeff Ulbrich and made Todd Downing the new offensive play-caller.

Ulbrich, who had been the defensive coordinator since 2021, continued calling the defensive plays on Monday, while Ubrich took over for coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on the offensive side.

Overall, the results were mixed.

Offensively, there was definitely some signs of improvement. Some of the creative calls didn't work—quarterback Rodgers was planted on an attempted flea flicker—but there was more variety, offensive rhythm and a clear effort to get the ball to No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson (8 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD).

Rodgers (23-of-35 for 294 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) had his most prolific passing game as a Jet to date.

Defensively, though, New York wasn't as disciplined or effective as it had been dating back to last season. The Bills were able to generate big plays in the running game early, and the Jets were flagged multiple times on defense.

Injuries were likely part of the problem, as cornerback Michael Carter was inactive and fellow corner D.J. Reed exited with a groin injury. However, it may also have had something to do with Ulbrich's foray into pulling double duty as the coach and play-caller—a difficult challenge, even for experienced head coaches.

Penalties, in general, were a massive problem for the Jets, who were flagged 11 times for 110 yards. Rodgers was sacked three times and hit several more and has now been sacked 11 times over the last three weeks.

Greg Zuerlein also missed a pair of field goals, though the wind made kicking an issue for both teams.

Ultimately, the game was lost because of sloppy play, self-inflicted mistakes and untimely defensive breakdowns. Those will be tough issues to overcome unless the Jets make even bigger offensive improvements moving forward.

It seems that coaching changes won't provide the Jets with a quick fix.

Jaguars' Week 7 Game in London Feels Like Must-Win Situation for Doug Pederson

Pundits overuse the phrase must-win game, but head coach Doug Pederson should approach Week 7 with that mentality.

Though Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan expressed his faith in general manager Trent Baalke and Pederson, his team—the most experienced NFL squad in London—took a bad loss on Sunday.

At 1-5, the Jaguars must beat the New England Patriots to take some of the pressure off the coaching staff, particularly Pederson.

Because of quarterback Trevor Lawrence's regression, Pederson, an offensive-minded head coach, could find himself in Khan's crosshairs if the offense sputters in consecutive weeks.

For Jacksonville, a win over New England won't make everything right with the team, but we already saw New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh lose his job after a loss in London. Pederson could be next if his team loses back-to-back outings in the United Kingdom.

Bears Offense Could Be a Juggernaut with Keenan Allen Healthy

Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen battled a heel injury through September. He's played in the team's past three games but posted modest receiving numbers.

In London, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looked to Allen as his primary red-zone target. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver hauled in five passes for 41 yards, catching two for touchdowns.

At 32 years old, Allen isn't going to move the ball for chunk yardage on his receptions, but his reliable hands can still help move the chains on third downs and snag passes in a crowded end zone.

Now healthy, Allen is a security blanket for Williams in the passing game. The Bears entered Week 6 ranked 11th in red-zone scoring, and you can expect them to improve with Allen healthy and seeing a fair number of targets inside the 20-yard line.

Joe Mixon, Receiver Depth Will Allow Texans to Navigate Nico Collins' Absence

The Houston Texans were dealt a huge blow in Week 5 when standout receiver Nico Collins suffered a hamstring injury. Though four-plus games, the fourth-year receiver had amassed a league-high 567 yards and three touchdowns on 32 receptions.

The injury landed Collins on injured reserve, meaning he'll miss at least four games. Losing a receiver of his caliber might cripple most offenses, but Houston had a plan to adjust.

"Nobody has to be Nico," head coach DeMeco Ryans said, per ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. "There is one Nico, he's done a great job of that. Now, whoever is next, when your number is called, make the plays that you are supposed to make."

We didn't see any one receiver step into Collins' role as C.J. Stroud's go-to target on Sunday. Instead, we saw Stroud spread the ball around, while Houston leaned on running back Joe Mixon, who made his return after missing three games with an ankle injury.

With Mixon (102 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, 2 TDs) back in the lineup, Houston was able to maintain offensive balance against the New England Patriots. That's noteworthy because while New England hasn't been particularly good this season, its defense has been respectable.

The Patriots entered Week 5 ranked ninth in points allowed.

Obviously, it helps to have receivers like Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell as second and third options—not to mention a top-tier quarterback like Stroud—but the Texans deserve credit for building a deep roster that can survive key injuries.

Injuries have hampered several teams this season, but it certainly appears that Collins' absence won't slow the Texans as they march toward another likely playoff run.

Drake Maye's Development Is More Important Than Wins and Losses for the Patriots

The big storyline for New England involved rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who made his first NFL start after spending the first five weeks backing up journeyman Jacoby Brissett.

Head coach Jerod Mayo insisted that the change was meant to make the Patriots more competitive.

"Drake gives us the best chance to win, now and going forward," Mayo said, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He's been getting better every single week, and as I said before, at the end of training camp he was trending at a very high rate. That has continued through the early part of the season."

It never really felt like New England would upset the Texans on Sunday, and Maye certainly made his fair share of rookie mistakes. He tossed a pair of interceptions and lost the ball on a strip sack.

The Patriots could (or should) have expected mistakes after putting a rookie quarterback behind a bad offensive line. However, Maye (243 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) had some bright moments too. He flashed his mobility and arm talent while providing some offensive juice that was absent with Brissett under center.

While Maye couldn't do enough to get the win, that's OK. The rookie will give New England a legitimate chance to win games moving forward if he can learn to limit the miscues. That's not something he's going to learn from the sidelines.

New England isn't going to challenge for the playoffs this season, but it can build for its future by letting Maye learn on the field. His continued development will be a lot more important than any final scores over the Patriots' final 11 games.

Injuries Continue to Loom Large for Eagles

Sunday's win got the Philadelphia Eagles back to .500, but it may have come at a cost.

The Eagles got a big boost coming out of their bye, as wide receivers A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) both returned to the lineup. Both receivers had a hand in Philadelphia's victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Brown and Smith each had a long touchdown reception. Brown also sealed the game with a clutch catch against tight coverage that brought out the victory formation.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all good news on the injury front for the Eagles. Tight end Dallas Goedert was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while cornerback Darius Slay left with a knee injury.

Perhaps most alarmingly, left tackle Jordan Mailata exited with a hamstring injury, was carted to the locker room and did not return.

All three of these injuries, if significant, are problematic for Philadelphia. The Eagles were able to survive the Browns at home, but they have tough road games upcoming against the rival New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals.

We've already seen the Eagles struggle without key players this season—Brown and Smith both missed Week 4, and Philly lost 33-16—so a lot of eyes will be on the injury report this week.

It's Time for the Browns to Consider Offensive Changes

The Browns had chances to steal this one, thanks in no small part to a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown.

Offensively, it was once again a struggle for most of the game. The good news is that quarterback Deshaun Watson showed signs of competent play in the second half, which he finished 11-of-12 for 122 yards.

Unfortunately, Cleveland's last, best opportunity was ruined by yet another series of pre-snap penalties.

On the Browns' final possession, they had 3rd-and-goal from the Eagles' 3-yard line, facing a seven-point deficit. That became 4th-and-goal from the 13-yard line after an incomplete pass and a pair of false starts.

Offensive penalties have plagued the Browns all season, and they cost them in a big way on Sunday (seven penalties for 55 yards in total). Cleveland has to find a way to clean up its operation, and it may require a change in the offensive approach.

The Browns have tried marrying the scheme of new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey with the play-calling of head coach Kevin Stefanski. It hasn't worked, but Stefanski said during the week he would maintain the status quo.

"I'm comfortable with the amount of collaboration we have right now on the headset and how we operate so that won't change," Stefanski said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

It's clear, though, that something needs to change—whether that means handing Dorsey the play sheet or minimizing his input on the game plan. At 1-5, it's probably too late for the Browns to salvage their season, but it's not too late to build on the lone good half of football we've seen from Watson in 2024.

With Watson's fully guaranteed contract running through 2026, it's unlikely that Browns ownership will pivot to a new quarterback plan in the foreseeable future.

Cardinals' Subpar First-Half Defense Will Be Their Downfall

The Arizona Cardinals allowed the fifth-most first-half points through the first five weeks of the season, per Team Rankings. On Sunday, they fell behind 24-7 by halftime.

Last week, the Cardinals pulled off a comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers after trailing 23-10 going into halftime, but they didn't have an encore performance against the Green Bay Packers.

At this rate, the Cardinals' porous defense will derail their season.

Perhaps rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) strengthens the interior of the Cardinals' defensive front. However, the team may need more reinforcements in the front seven with Justin Jones (triceps) and BJ Ojulari (ACL) out for the season.

Arizona needs its defense to raise its level of play as rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. deals with a concussion.

Packers' Wide Receiver Group Is Immune to Attrition

Typically, offenses struggle without one or two of their key playmakers, but that's not the case for the Packers.

Christian Watson has dealt with some early injury woes. The Packers suspended Romeo Doubs last week. Dontayvion Wicks exited Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.

Yet Green Bay's passing game has been potent with and without Jordan Love on the field. The Packers entered Week 5 with the 10th-ranked passing offense. Love has thrown for multiple touchdowns in all four of his outings.

Jayden Reed, Watson and Doubs all scored at least one touchdown on Sunday, though Ben Sims also made a couple of big plays, recording two catches for 38 yards.

If Wicks misses time, Green Bay will continue to light up defenses with the aerial attack because of its depth at wide receiver.

Bucky Irving Could Be Running Away with Starting RB Job

When Rachaad White (foot) returns to action, he may play a limited role on offense. He missed Sunday's game, and rookie fourth-rounder Bucky Irving led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' backfield, recording 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, along with two receptions for 24 yards.

Irving outpaced White on the ground in three of the first five games of the season, though the latter logged double-digit carries in four of those contests.

Coming into Week 5, Irving averaged 5.6 yards per rush attempt. On Sunday, he broke free on a 31-yard run that boosted his yards-per-carry average to 5.8 for the game. For comparison, White averages 3.7 yards per carry.

As the Buccaneers' more efficient tailback, Irving could be the team's RB1 moving forward. Sean Tucker, who racked up 192 scrimmage yards and scored two touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints, will likely play a reduced role once White returns to action.

Also, remember, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Irving earned more snaps after Week 3.

Spencer Rattler Isn't Going To Stir Up a QB Controversy in New Orleans

Rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler played well early in Sunday's matchup with the Buccaneers, but he faded in the second half. Rattler completed 14 out of 28 pass attempts for 172 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

In fairness to Rattler, he lost his top wide receiver, Chris Olave (concussion), early in the game.

Nonetheless, the Saints kept the score close with field goals and a punt return for a touchdown in the first half. The defense also set the offense up with good field position on multiple drives.

After halftime, the Buccaneers tightened up on the Saints offense, and Rattler didn't have short fields to help him lead scoring drives.

Rattler showed flashes early in the game, but he's nowhere close to unseating Derek Carr for the starting spot. That said, the rookie can help the Saints stay competitive in Carr's three-to-four-week absence.

Josh Downs Emerging as Indianapolis Colts' WR1

Michael Pittman Jr. may have signed a big contract extension this past offseason and caught the game-winning touchdown Sunday during Indianapolis' 20-17 victory over the rival Tennessee Titans, but he's not the best wide receiver on the Colts' roster right now. Josh Downs is.

With Joe Flacco behind center, Downs has developed into the 39-year-old's security blanket. Flacco and Downs connected for the opening score of the game with a 22-yard touchdown.

In total, the quarterback targeted his second-year wide receiver a team-leading nine times. Downs has either led or tied for the team lead in targets during each of the past four games.

Pittman is a big, physical target capable of making the tough catch, as he did twice down the stretch against Tennessee. Alec Pierce is a serious deep threat. Rookie Adonai Mitchell is still adjusting to the professional game and trying to establish himself. Meanwhile, Downs can create instant separation early in his route, hence why he's become so popular in the Colts offense.

Eventually, Anthony Richardson will return as the Colts' starting quarterback. Downs' opportunities may dwindle to a degree, but his importance to the offense won't diminish. The ability to get open and serve as a reliable target will be vital as Richardson continues in his development.

With Pittman currently dealing with a back issue, he could miss time in the future. Whatever he can provide will be a bonus. Otherwise, Downs is the best player on the Colts roster at this very moment. He should be viewed as such.

Will Levis is Telling the Tennessee Titans Exactly Who He is, and It's Not Good Enough

The Tennessee Titans owned the seventh overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Since the team selected Will Levis with the top pick in the second round a year earlier, the organization chose to pass on a quarterback in a class that had league-record six drafted among the initial 12 picks.

Instead, the Titans chose to add offensive tackle JC Latham, who continues to improve as he makes the transition from the right to left side. However, Levis doesn't look anything like a franchise quarterback.

Against the NFL's worst defense, the second-year signal-caller completed 16 passes for 95 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

To better understand how erratic Levis tends to be, Tennessee has three well-established and productive wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley. The latter two combined for 19 yards Sunday. In fact, Levis targeted Ridley, who signed a four-year, $92 million free-agent contract this past offseason, eight different times and didn't complete a single pass.

At 1-4, the Titans must have one eye toward the future, because the franchise will likely be looking to draft a different quarterback prospect to develop under head coach Brian Callahan.

WR Zay Flowers Blossoms into Another Dangerous Offensive Threat for Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens' identity is obvious. They feature the NFL's most dynamic backfield. But diversification will make the offense far more difficult to defend. Second-year target Zay Flowers can provide what the Ravens have been missing.

During Sunday's 30-23 victory over the Washington Commanders, Lamar Jackson surpassed Cam Newton as the second-most prolific rushing quarterback in league history. He and running back Derrick Henry already set a record with the most combined yardage by a quarterback and running back through a team's first five games. A defense has two choices, and it'll probably be wrong on the regular.

Add a third option into the mix, and a nightmare scenario emerges for defensive coordinators.

Jackson always had a strong rapport with tight end Mark Andrews. He's a given. Baltimore's outside targets haven't been much of a threat throughout most of the quarterback's starting career. Outside of Marquise Brown barely creeping over 1,000 yards during the 2021 campaign, the Ravens haven't had a true WR1.

Flowers is turning into exactly what the Ravens need. Over the past two games, the '23 first-round pick has caught 16 passes for 243 yards. His quickness off his release and ability to create after the catch have been on full display.

"When my number is called, I just try to make all the plays that I can," Flowers said after Sunday's contest.

The Ravens called his number nine times in the first half for 132 yards, both of which either tied or created new career-highs. Expect his number to be called regularly as the season progresses.

Washington Commanders Floundering on Defense Despite Dan Quinn Leading the Way

The Washington Commanders still find themselves among the league's bottom 10 defenses despite bringing in the defensive-minded Dan Quinn as their head coach. The unit will have a difficult time turning it around this season, because it lacks talent at specific areas.

To be fair, Washington's D is playing better than a year ago when the group finished dead last. Currently, they're giving up nearly 35 fewer yards per game. It's still not good enough, which became obvious when playing a strong offense like the Ravens, which racked up 484 yards.

Baltimore may be the league's best team at this point in time. But Washington wants to compete. The franchise moved on from Ron Rivera after years of mediocrity, but it can't truly move forward without a better defense.

On Sunday, neither cornerback Emmanuel Forbes nor linebacker Jamin Davis played. Both were healthy scratches. Considering those are two recent first-round picks, the Commanders are not a good place when it comes to their overall talent pool.

Washington's defense is a work in progress. Those disappointments will need to be replaced. Technically, they already have been in the lineup. At the same time, Washington must do a much better job identifying and developing talent, or Quinn's vision for the defense will never come to fruition.

Aidan Hutchison's Injury Severely Hampers Detroit Lions' Super Bowl Aspirations

The Detroit Lions entered this season knowing full well they were good enough to make a Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. After all, they were one half away from making the trip last season. Unfortunately, the organization's chances of achieving its primary goal received a massive blow Sunday when Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson suffered what looked like a catastrophic injury to his left leg.

Medical personnel immediately tended to Hutchinson by placing on air-cast on the injured leg before carting him off the field. The Lions immediately ruled the defensive end out for the game. Prior to the incident, the Pro Bowl defender registered a sack and three quarterback hits. Hutchinson even led the NFL with 6.5 sacks entering the contest.

If the injury is season-ending—and it looks to be that way—the Lions will be looking to 2022 second-round pick Josh Paschal to provide more. The coaching staff had already been doing as much before Sunday's contest because of fellow edge-defender Marcus Davenport's season-ending elbow injury. The spotlight now resides squarely on the third-year defensive end.

"He's going to have to step up," defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said last week. "I expect more from that player, and he's expecting more from himself."

Paschal did register a tackle for loss against the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill provided excellent pressure, too, with a pair of sacks and multiple quarterback hits.

But Hutchinson's loss will create ripple effects. His presence often dictates which direction the opposition slides its protection. Glenn will have to use his play-calling to manufacture pressure. The Lions are now down both of their starting defensive ends, which will make it difficult to affect opposing quarterbacks.

A Super Bowl appearance is still possible, but Hutchinson won't be leading the way.

Dallas Cowboys Lack Toughness in Trenches to Compete at Highest Level

The Cowboys are at their best when they're capable of consistently winning at the point of attack.

Take a moment and think of the names that have played for the franchise: Bob Lilly, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Charles Haley, Larry Allen and Tyron Smith.

The team's current iteration doesn't have the talent in place to compete in the trenches, particularly when Micah Parsons isn't in the lineup because of injury. As a result, the Lions rocked the Cowboys, with Dallas enduring an embarrassing 47-9 loss.

Mike McCarthy and his staff began pulling starters with over 12 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter.

Offensively, rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton wasn't in the lineup because of a knee injury. Without Guyton, left guard Tyler Smith moved to left tackle, where he's not as effective. Former undrafted free agent T.J. Bass slid to guard. Rookie Cooper Beebe is already making the transition to center this season. Veteran right guard Zack Martin and right tackle Terence Steele aren't enough to offset the issues with protection. Quarterback Dak Prescott endured four sacks and six more quarterback hits. That doesn't take into account how many other pressures Detroit applied.

On the defensive side, Dallas is soft at the point of attack.

The Lions feature arguably the league's best offensive line. Detroit's top two ball-carriers, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, averaged 6.0 yards per carry. At home, Dallas has allowed 525 rushing yards between the New Orleans Saints' Alvin Kamara, Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Henry and Detroit's backs. Quarterback Jared Goff, meanwhile, had copious amounts of time to throw, hence his 315 passing yards before being pulled.

The Lions are good. The Cowboys aren't. And it was most obvious when assessing the big guys up front.

Steelers Must Maintain Bully-Ball Mentality to Keep Pace with Ravens in AFC North

The Pittsburgh Steelers snapped a two-game skid with a blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders. They re-established a hard-nosed offensive identity, rushing for a season-high 183 yards and three touchdowns.

The Steelers played physical football, which has helped them stay in playoff contention throughout head coach Mike Tomlin's 18-year tenure.

Harris had his best outing of the season on the ground, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Pittsburgh capitalized on turnovers, scoring two touchdowns off takeaways.

While the Steelers may not light up the box score with eye-popping numbers with this style of play, they seem most comfortable with it.

Tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh must match its rival's intensity in the trenches when the two teams square off for potentially the top spot in the division later in the season.

Raiders Season Enters Nightmare Stage Littered with Injuries, Poor Fundamentals

The Raiders are missing key players on both sides of the ball, including Davante Adams (hamstring/trade request), Jakobi Meyers (ankle), Malcolm Koonce (knee) and Christian Wilkins (foot). Guard Dylan Parham exited Sunday's game with a foot injury.

Already shorthanded, the Raiders have compounded their issues with poor discipline and sloppy fundamentals, which were on full display in a blowout loss to the Steelers.

This week, Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce talked about focusing on the basics with an emphasis on tackling, but his team whiffed on several stops as the Steelers racked up nearly 200 yards on the ground.

Moreover, the Raiders committed untimely penalties that negated an interception and a touchdown. They also lost the turnover battle 3-0.

The Raiders' season may not get much worse, but they don't have a pathway toward significant improvement in the standings, either.

A poorly coached team with key injuries is destined for a disastrous finish to the season.

The Falcons Are Figuring Out How to Unlock Their Playmakers

The hallmark of a true NFL contender is often its ability to win in a variety of ways. A win over the struggling Carolina Panthers certainly doesn't announce Atlanta as a Super Bowl threat, but it does make the Falcons extremely interesting.

Atlanta moved to 4-2 with the victory, and it continues to find new ways to win.

The Falcons' Week 2 and Week 5 wins over the Eagles and Buccaneers, respectively, were of the comeback variety. Prized offseason acquisition Kirk Cousins was the catalyst in each of those games. Atlanta played most of Sunday's game with a lead and leaned heavily on the running of Tyler Allgeier (105 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Bijan Robinson (95 rushing yards, 2 TDs).

In each of Atlanta's wins this season, we've seen playmakers emerge. While Allgeier and Robinson were the stars of Sunday, the Falcons got big contributions from wideout Drake London (74 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Kyle Pitts (3 receptions).

While Darnell Mooney (3 catches, 38 yards) had a relatively quiet outing, the offseason acquisition has become a surprisingly effective No. 2 receiver for the Falcons. Atlanta now has six players—receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III is also in the group—with more than 250 scrimmage yards through six games.

The ongoing evolution of coordinator Zac Robinson's offense has been huge for the Falcons, which had a loaded offensive cast in 2023 but rarely played like it. Last year's team ranked 17th in total offense and 26th in scoring.

Obviously, getting a quarterback upgrade in Cousins has helped substantially. However, Robinson is doing a terrific job of figuring out how to put his skill players in successful positions.

What should be concerning for the rest of the NFC South is the fact that Cousins, Robinson and the Falcons may still be searching for their offensive ceiling.

Dave Canales Likely to Face Unfair Pressure From the Panthers

There's a very real chance that head coach Dave Caneles will be one-and-done in Carolina. The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator was hired to work with rookie quarterback Bryce Young, and Carolina pulled the plug on Young two games into the season.

If Carolina is ready to turn the page on Young completely, then Canales' job security won't hinge on the development of the second-year signal-caller. And to this point, Canales has given no indication he's ready to turn away from journeyman starter Andy Dalton.

Of course, that may change after Dalton threw a pair of interceptions on Sunday, including one that essentially sealed the loss.

Instead, Canales' job security is likely to depend on his ability to put a winning product on the field. Wins have been in short supply for the Panthers in recent years, and franchise owner David Tepper fired his head coach in-season in both 2022 and 2023—he also did it in 2019.

It's not outlandish to think Canales' job could be in jeopardy if he doesn't notch a couple of victories before the Week 11 bye. However, the mounting pressure to deliver wins isn't entirely fair.

Aside from last week's lopsided loss to the Bears, Carolina has been fairly competitive with Dalton under center. The final score of this one looks bad, but the Panthers had a chance to pull even before Dalton's first interception opened the floodgates.

And no one should pretend that Carolina has a playoff-caliber roster. The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL a year ago, and they were never going to fix all of their issues in a single offseason.

The Panthers should be patient with Canales and new general manager Dan Morgan. We'll have to see if Tepper will be more patient than he's been in the past.

The Chargers Appear Poised to Make a Run

Injuries have been an issue for the Los Angeles Chargers early in 2024. Key players like Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Joey Bosa and rookie tackle Joe Alt have all missed time this season.

However, the Chargers were healthier coming out of last week's bye—Bosa was the only inactive from the aforementioned group against the Denver Broncos. Receivers Ladd McConkey (head) and Quentin Johnston (ankle) both exited, though both returned.

With most of its starters in the lineup, Los Angeles was able to end its two-game skid and get back over .500. It dominated for much of the game—though Denver made a valiant late comeback attempt—on the road against a very capable Broncos defense.

Denver entered Sunday ranked third in total defense and second in points allowed.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh opened up the passing game to help deliver the win. While his approach during the first month was to lean on his defense and the running game, he put the ball in Justin Herbert's hands early and often on Sunday.

While Herbert (21-of-34 for 237 yards, 1 TD) didn't produce gaudy statistics, he had his most passing attempts and passing yards of the season thus far. J.K. Dobbins and the running game did their part, and the Chargers defense was once again dependable.

Sunday's win provided a glimpse of what the Chargers can be when they're healthy and clicking. It may also spark a serious run that could have L.A. firmly in the playoff picture entering mid-November.

Up next for the Chargers will be the Cardinals, Saints, Browns and Titans—teams with six combined wins and dwindling hope of reaching the postseason.

Broncos Showing the Resiliency of a Team that Believes It Can Win Now

With rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center, the Broncos were widely expected to have a transition season in 2024. That may indeed be what's in store for 3-3 Denver.

Sunday's loss to the rival Chargers snapped a three-game winning streak and showed that Denver cannot win with defense alone. Nix struggled mightily during the early goings—he was 3-of-10 for 22 yards with an interception in the first half—and the Broncos fell into a 23-0 hole by the end of the third quarter.

Here's where we point out that two of Denver's three wins came against the New York Jets and the Raiders—who have, respectively, already fired their head coach and benched their Week 1 starting quarterback.

While the Broncos have made themselves relevant, they don't have the feel of a true contender. However, Sunday's loss showed us a lot about the character of Sean Payton's squad.

For the first three quarters, it seemed as if Denver could do nothing right. The offense couldn't find a rhythm, the defense had too many breakdowns—it also lost star corner Pat Surtain II to a concussion—and the vibe on the sideline wasn't good.

Yet, the Broncos continued to battle, and the Broncos found a spark in the final frame. Nix (19-of-33 for 216 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 61 rushing yards) started making big plays with his arm and his legs, and he helped deliver 16 unanswered points to give Denver a chance.

For as dire as things appeared early, the Broncos' hopes weren't ended until their onside-kick attempt failed with less than a minute in regulation.

Payton probably won't pat his players on the back for a "moral victory," but the fact that his team didn't quit is noteworthy. Denver acquired Payton from the Saints last offseason, in part, to change the culture after the Nathaniel Hackett disaster.

That goal has been accomplished. Denver may not make a deep postseason run, but it's certainly not going to roll over for any opponent—it has yet to lose a game by more than a touchdown.

The loss hurts, but the Broncos should be fired up and ready to rebound against Payton's former team on Thursday night.

Defense Gives Cincinnati Bengals a Legitimate Change at Turning Season Around

The Cincinnati Bengals are now 2-4, and there's hope again in the Queen City.

Joe Burrow and Co. have a long way to go for this season to turn out like they had hoped. However, two wins in the past three games—including an overtime loss to the red-hot Baltimore Ravens—shows the Bengals can still be in the mix.

Sunday's 17-7 victory over the New York Giants provided a critical step, though. The defense showed up. In fact, the Bengals had allowed 10 or more points in 75 straight games prior to the unit's latest effort.

Cincinnati clearly features significant talent on offense. But the defense hadn't been playing complementary football. Before Sunday's primetime matchup, the Bengals ranked among the bottom eight in total defense by allowing 365.4 yards per game. The Giants managed 309.

More importantly, individuals made plays.

B.J. Hill wrought havoc against his former team. The defensive tackle consistently played in the backfield, with two quarterback hits and two deflected passes. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was able to win off the edge a few times, even against an offensive tackle the caliber of Andrew Thomas, and secure a pair of sacks. In coverage, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt defended a pair of passes.

Is the Giants offense a huge threat? No. But the Bengals took care of business when the offense struggled to get into rhythm.

If the Bengals can continue to get similar efforts, they can navigate the next few weeks and possibly pull near or over .500 by their Week 12 bye. Four of Cincinnati's next five opponents own a 3-2 record or worse.

New York Giants Wasting Awesome Effort by Talented Defensive Front

The Giants are extremely talented along their defensive line, but the offense continues to let the team down.

Consider the following: The Giants rank in the bottom four in scoring offense, yet they're top-10 in scoring defense. In the two instances that Daniel Jones and Co. managed to score at least 20 points, New York won. The team has averaged 11.5 points in its four losses.

Meanwhile, defensive end Brian Burns played his best game as a member of Big Blue. The $141 million man was all over the field with a sack, two tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hits. Azeez Ojulari performed well in Kayvon Thibodeaux's stead with a two-sack outing. Dexter Lawrence remains a force to be reckoned with as one of the game's top interior defenders.

Eventually, Thibodeaux will return to the lineup after he mends from his wrist injury.

The Giants front can be counted among the league's best, hence why they're tops in sacks. It won't matter if Jones continues to play the Invisible Man when it matters most and the offensive line can't protect him to help as much as it can.

The 49ers Are NFC West's Best, But Don't Look Like Super Bowl Contenders

The San Francisco 49ers entered 2024 with history against them. Only six teams have gone from losing a Super Bowl to making it back to the championship game the following year. Only three have avenged the loss.

Maybe that's it. Maybe that's the undefinable thing gumming up the 49ers' season. It's hard to identify, but something keeps making the defending NFC champions look vulnerable.

Mind you, this is still a dangerous team. In many respects, Brock Purdy is the perfect Kyle Shanahan quarterback: a smart, accurate passer who will play within the scheme. The passing game weapons are as good in San Francisco as anywhere in the league. The Nick Bosa-led defense entered Week 6 at 10th in the league, and the offense led the NFC.

And yet, San Francisco was 2-3 with a pair of fourth-quarter collapses against bad NFC West teams.

Against Seattle, the 49ers held on. But this was a game they led 23-3, only to promptly allow a kick-return score that let the Seahawks back in it.

It's those things, those single plays. This indefinable inability to close games out. The injuries—with revelationary running back Jordan Mason joining that list this week.

The 49ers are still the best team in the NFC West, and they rather demonstrated that Thursday night in Seattle. And no one will want to face them in the playoffs.

But the Niners that scare the rest of the NFC only appear in parts of games six weeks in.

And at some point, it's going to cost them.

3-Game Skid Exposes Seahawks as Pretenders

After yet another home setback, this time against the rival San Francisco 49ers in prime time, there will be justifications given in Seattle. Pledges made. Reminders that even after the loss, the team is 3-3 and tied for first place in the NFC West.

Peel all that away, though, and you're left with one sobering reality: These Seahawks aren't any better or worse than last year's team. Their 3-0 start said much more about who they played than what they are.

The last three games have told us what they are: mediocre.

Moving the ball isn't a problem. Seattle has piled up the yards, including over 500 in a Week 4 loss at Detroit. But all the yards ever yarded do little good if a team commits backbreaking turnovers like the Seahawks' three giveaways in a 36-24 loss to the 49ers.

The defense? It's a mess. One week after letting rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants run all over them, the Seahawks surrendered 228 yards on the ground to San Francisco, despite the Niners losing lead back Jordan Mason for half the game.

Seattle entered Week 6 allowing 311 yards a game, but that's another myth born of early tomato cans. Against the Niners? 483 yards allowed—the second week in a row giving up at least 420.

Last year's Seahawks weren't a bad team. They won more games than they lost, but they also missed the postseason.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.