NFL Week 6 matchups: An insiders' guide

SUNDAY 

Carolina (3-2) at Tampa Bay (2-3), 9:30 a.m. ET (LONDON)

Inside Panthers numbers: Over his five career appearances, Kyle Allen has thrown 121 passes without an interception. He needs to continue that streak against an aggressive Buccaneers defense that defended nine passes against the Saints in Week 5.

Inside Panthers roster: Christian McCaffrey transformed his game last season, becoming a three-down dynamo after an unremarkable rookie slate. The third-year Panther is ascending to another level from that breakout 2018. McCaffrey jumped from 435 rushing yards as a rookie to 1,098 last season. The second-generation NFLer is on pace for more than 1,800 yards and has helped an undrafted quarterback win three games. This start has Run CMC in the MVP conversation and, as he will not turn 24 until next summer, set to command a top-market extension come 2020.

Inside Buccaneers numbers: Chris Godwin is in the midst of a breakout season, his third in the league. He leads the league with six touchdown receptions and ranks third in receiving yards with 511. He will be tested against the Panthers' red-hot secondary, which has driven the team's three-game win streak. Carolina ranks second in fewest net yards per pass attempt allowed (4.5) — but Godwin shredded them for 121 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. 

Inside Buccaneers roster: Tampa Bay and Carolina will wrap up their season series in Week 6, and the Panthers’ potent pass rush will have lower-quality opposition in London. The Bucs will be without the right side of their offensive line, with right guard Alex Cappa sidelined with a broken arm and 11th-year veteran right tackle Demar Dotson set to miss the England game with a hamstring injury. Rather than developmental backups, the Bucs have sixth-year veterans Earl Watford and Josh Wells respectively set to replace the starters.

Washington (0-5) at Miami (0-4), 1 p.m. ET

Inside Redskins numbers: A silver lining from Washington's blowout loss was its success on the ground against a New England run defense that entered the week ranked No. 2 in rush defense DVOA. The Redskins finished with season-bests 140 rushing yards and five rushing first downs. They have a great chance to continue that success against a soft Dolphins run defense, which ranks last in rushing yards allowed per game (175.8) and rushing touchdowns allowed per game (1.8).

Inside Redskins roster: From Robert Griffin III’s descent to the Kirk Cousins contract drama to Alex Smith’s injury to staff uncertainty about Dwayne Haskins, Jay Gruden often lacked quarterback stability. Predictably, the Redskins made the sixth-year coach the scapegoat for their 0-5 start. First-year offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell’s voice seems poised to grow for the 2019 team, with former Raiders head coach Bill Callahan -– who will rise from Redskins O-line coach to interim boss -– also set to contribute schematic input. Gruden’s 85 games were the most Dan Snyder has given to a coach in his 20 years as Redskins owner. The team has not made back-to-back playoff berths in Snyder’s tenure.

Inside Dolphins numbers: The Dolphins need to start catching the football if Josh Rosen is going to get any sort of rhythm going. Miami entered its bye week with a league-high 11 drops. Washington is the perfect opponent to get the passing game up and running, as the Redskins rank 30th in pass defense EPA. Miami has a historically bad point differential (minus-137) through four games.

Inside Dolphins roster: Sunday looks like a prime opportunity for Miami to win. The Redskins are more talented than the Dolphins, but winless Washington is in disarray and on the road.  The Dolphins are barely hiding their pursuit of the 2020 No. 1 pick, and it would look strange if the Redskins enter Week 7 in front of them for that prize.

Philadelphia (3-2) at Minnesota (3-2), 1 p.m. ET

Inside Eagles numbers: The Eagles blew out a hapless Jets team, but their performance was far from perfect. Philadelphia scored a season-low 17 points on offense. It gained just 265 yards, also a season-low and the Eagles' worst total at home since Week 1 of 2018. Doug Pederson's team won't win if his offense puts forth the same quality performance against a Vikings defense ranked third in fewest yards allowed per play (4.5).

Inside Eagles roster: While he would not move the needle on the 2020 market like fellow free-agent-to-be running backs Melvin Gordon or Derrick Henry, Jordan Howard has given the Eagles plenty of return for sending the Bears a Day 3 pick. Out of place in Matt Nagy’s 2018 Bears offense, Howard carries a 4.7 yards-per-carry mark after posting a 3.7 YPC figure last season. He has protected the Eagles from depending entirely on second-round rookie Miles Sanders (3.7 YPC). As he did with Jay Ajayi and Michael Bennett, GM Howie Roseman continues to extract value in trades involving Day 3 picks.

Inside Vikings numbers: The Vikings have allowed just nine yards per completion, the lowest mark in the league. They have also allowed just 2.2 pass plays of 20-plus yards per game, tied for second best in the NFL. This could loom large against an Eagles offense that has struggled to produce big passing plays (ranked 22nd in 20-plus yard plays, with 14). 

Inside Vikings roster: Danielle Hunter’s $14.4 million-per-year extension looked team-friendly when he signed it in the summer of 2018, and it looks like a steal now that Frank Clark and DeMarcus Lawrence earn north of $20M annually. Hunter leads the NFL in quarterback pressures and has five sacks. The fifth-year Vikings defensive end’s 45 career sacks are tied with Robert Quinn for the most (since sacks became a stat in 1982) recorded before a player’s 25th birthday.

Houston (3-2) at Kansas City (4-1), 1 p.m. ET 

Inside Texans numbers: Houston's passing attack finally broke the roof open, collecting 426 yards and five touchdowns against the Falcons in Week 5. The key was improved pass protection, as Deshaun Watson went without being sacked for just the second time in his career. The Texans are 6-0 and average of 37.3 points in games in which Watson has taken one or zero sacks. Five of those wins were by double digits. They'll take on a Chiefs defense that went without a sack against the elite Colts offensive line in Week 5.  

Inside Texans roster: Injuries have limited Will Fuller from establishing consistency, but his 14-catch, 217-yard, three-TD game in Week 5 showed the capabilities of the offense’s top sidekick. In Fuller, DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Stills and Keke Coutee, the Texans have the best receiving corps in franchise history. Watson’s receiver cast surpasses the Andre Johnson-led group that helped Matt Schaub several years ago. While the Texans have other flaws, the team using some of its extensive cap space to add Stills’ contract to this already- strong wideout group will aid the young quarterback.

 Inside Chiefs numbers: The Colts figured out the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs in a way no one has. Indy's defense held Kansas City to just 13 points, half of the Chiefs' previous low under Mahomes (26). The run game was an issue, as the Chiefs running backs ran for only 25 yards on 10 carries (2.5 per attempt) against a Colts defense that had been struggling to stop the run. Things will not be easier against a Texans defense that has allowed under 100 rushing yards in three straight games. 

Inside Chiefs roster: Kansas City again has one of the league’s worst run defenses, with Indianapolis’ 1960s game plan reminding football followers of that. Nearly as concerning: Frank Clark’s slow start. Although he has zero Pro Bowls, Clark was effective in Seattle (22 sacks, 66 QB hits from 2016-18) and signed a $20.8 million-per-year deal in Kansas City. The trade acquisition through five games: one sack, two QB hits. Clark is essential to the Chiefs’ foundation, which has shown cracks despite the unrivaled gift of Mahomes’ rookie contract. 

New Orleans (4-1) at Jacksonville (2-3), 1 p.m. ET

Inside Saints numbers: Teddy Bridgewater had a career game against the Buccaneers in Week 5, tying a career-high with four touchdown passes and going over 300 yards passing for just the sixth time in his career. Michael Thomas drove Bridgewater's success, grabbing 11 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Bridgewater looked comfortable throwing downfield for the first time as a Saint, and he should have plenty of chances to continue that success against Jacksonville, which has allowed the fourth-most yards per completion (12.9). 

Inside Saints roster: New Orleans’ 2020 offseason may resemble Dallas’ 2019, because in addition to the inevitable Alvin Kamara extension talks, the Saints will likely have to address Marshon Lattimore’s deal. The third-year cornerback is off to a dominant start, with Mike Evans’ battle with Lattimore ending with zero fantasy points for the Bucs’ WR1. With teams rarely extending first-rounders before their fifth NFL offseasons, due to the CBA featuring the fifth-year option luxury, Lattimore negotiations are unlikely to go smoothly. Jalen Ramsey will likely have a market-changing deal in place by the time the Saints and Lattimore negotiate, meaning the team will not be able to retain its top corner at the current rate.

Inside Jaguars numbers: Leonard Fournette, the fourth overall pick in 2017, carried the Jaguars' offense over the past two weeks, grinding out 52 carries for 333 yards and 15 first downs. He is leading qualified backs with an average of 4.3 yards after contact per carry. The LSU product has a good chance to punish his  hometown team. The Saints have given up a league-high seven rushing touchdowns. 

Inside Jaguars roster: Jacksonville entered the season with one of the league’s thinnest tight end depth charts, and James O’Shaughnessy’s ACL tear makes this a front-burner issue. The third-year Jaguar, done for 2019, was having a nice season and had caught touchdowns in back-to-back games. The team has worked out tight ends this week. Rookie third-round pick Josh Oliver has yet to debut with a hamstring injury. Ex-Cowboy Geoff Swaim has caught 12 passes, but they’ve only gone for 60 yards.

Seattle (4-1) at Cleveland (2-3), 1 p.m. ET 

Inside Seahawks numbers: Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind, leading the NFL with a 126.3 passer rating that is more than 10 points better than the second-ranked Deshaun Watson. Great ball security has driven his elite performance, as Wilson has yet to throw an interception and has lost just one fumble. It's anybody's guess which Browns defense will show up against Wilson. The Browns have had two games with three takeaways apiece, but they forced only one turnover in their other three games. 

Inside Seahawks roster: A year after the Seahawks stunned many by making the playoffs despite jettisoning Super Bowl-era anchors Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, the 2019 team is 4-1 after losing another set of key veterans. Earl Thomas, Doug Baldwin and Frank Clark are gone, and the team enters Week 6 ninth in DVOA. The early schedule, which included the Bengals, Cardinals and a Steelers team that lost Ben Roethlisberger midgame, helped. But Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider merit kudos for performing another offseason reload.

Inside Browns numbers: Baker Mayfield is in the midst of a sophomore slump, leading the NFL with eight interceptions after tossing two picks and posting a career-worst 13.4 passer rating in San Francisco. He has 22 interceptions in his career, the most in the league since 2018. Fortunately, taking the ball away is something the Seahawks defense has not done well. Seattle has forced a turnover on 11.1 percent of drives, 21st in the league.

Inside Browns roster: Cleveland has largely squandered Odell Beckham Jr.’s talents, which are arguably unequaled among wideouts. The March trade acquisition left San Francisco with his second straight two-reception outing; this has been the least productive stretch of Beckham’s 64-game career. Beckham ranks 45th in catches per game and 16th in targets per game. For all the heat Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur took, the Giants' coaches at least designed offenses capable of using Beckham. Freddie Kitchens’ inability to unleash his top skill-position asset has limited a once-promising Browns team.

Cincinnati (0-5) at Baltimore (3-2), 1 p.m. ET

Inside Bengals numbers: Cincinnati's run defense has had a pair of embarrassing outings this season, allowing 259 yards to the 49ers in Week 2 and 266 to the Cardinals in Week 5. Things could get ugly against the ground-and-pound Ravens, who lead the NFL with 192.2 rushing yards per game. Baltimore ran for 267 yards against the Bengals last season, including 119 by Lamar Jackson in his first career start.

Inside Bengals roster: If certain GMs are correct about Cincinnati being able to fetch a first-round pick for A.J. Green, the franchise must make the move. One of this era’s top receivers, Green is now 31, in a contract year and after Sunday will have missed 19 of the past 41 games due to injuries. The Bengals are 0-5 and lagging well behind the Dolphins in draft assets. However, this is not a franchise that typically partakes in splashy moves. That has left the Bengals with an experienced yet ineffective roster.

Inside Ravens numbers: Baltimore's passing attack is fading; it has gained fewer passing yards than the previous week in four straight games. All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson as he searches for a bounceback game. He has tossed five interceptions over the past two weeks. He should be able to keep the ball safe against a quiet Bengals secondary that ranks last in the NFL with just nine passes defended. 

Inside Ravens roster: Baltimore has deployed one of the league’s most experienced secondaries for years. In the offseason, 10th-year veteran Earl Thomas replaced 14th-year man Eric Weddle at free safety. He plays behind seasoned cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Jimmy Smith. But with strong safety Tony Jefferson out for the season, the Ravens will depend on a pair of recent sixth-round picks, DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark, to replace him. They are second- and third-year defenders, respectively. Elliott spent his rookie season on IR, and Clark backed up Weddle and Jefferson last season.

San Francisco (4-0) at L.A. Rams (3-2), 4:05 p.m. ET

Inside 49ers numbers: The Niners' defense is dominating: It has allowed 1.06 points per drive, third fewest in the league and best in the NFC. The instant impact of Nick Bosa is a primary reason for San Francisco's excellence, as the No. 2 overall pick ranks fourth among edge rushers with 6.5 pressures per game. Bosa will clash with veteran Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has yet to allow a sack but is averaging career-worst marks in pressures allowed per game (2.2) and penalties per game (1.0). 

Inside 49ers roster: Despite absences of Joe Staley and Jerick McKinnon, the 49ers are off to a dominant rushing start. They lead the NFL with 200 ground yards per game; San Francisco’s 800 are its most through four games in 60 years. Back from a high ankle sprain, Tevin Coleman looked like the player he was in Atlanta under Kyle Shanahan. Coleman and third-year UDFA Matt Breida carry the zone-blocking-based 49ers on the ground. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson have also shown Shanahan’s system, like his father’s, can produce an assembly line of effective backs and limit QBs’ workloads.

Inside Rams numbers: Turnovers have suddenly become an issue in Hollywood, as the Rams have turned the football over in every game and are tied for the NFL lead with 11 turnovers. Things have been especially bad recently, as the Rams have nine turnovers over their past three games. They can't afford to have this problem against a 49ers defense that leads the league with an average of 2.8 takeaways per game.

Inside Rams roster: Samson Ebukam is back as a Rams outside linebacker starter. Clay Matthews’ broken jaw will return the third-year defender to the role he had before Matthews’ arrival. This is a blow to a struggling Rams defense (26th in points allowed), with Matthews (5.5 sacks) having re-established himself after a down 2018. Ebukam, who has five career sacks, will be joined by Obo Okoronkwo -– a 2018 fifth-rounder who has yet to make his Rams debut -– as Rams hoping to replace Matthews’ work opposite Dante Fowler Jr.

Atlanta (1-4) at Arizona (1-3-1), 4:05 p.m. ET

Inside Falcons numbers: Julio Jones is producing well below his usual standards, posting career-lows of 71.8 receiving yards per game and 8.2 yards per target. In Weeks 4 and 5, Jones had back-to-back games with fewer than five receptions for the first time since 2012. The Falcons must find a way to get the football in his hands against a Cardinals defense ranked 29th in pass defense EPA.

Inside Falcons roster: It looks like the Dan Quinn era will be remembered for the NFL’s most crushing collapse. The fifth-year Falcons coach, who oversaw the 25-point blown lead in Super Bowl LI, took over the team’s defensive-coordinating duties this season as well. The Texans ran up 592 yards, the third most the 54-year-old Falcons franchise has allowed in a game, and have Quinn seemingly on the verge of a pre-Black Monday firing. The Falcons, who have seen Quinn fire DCs Richard Smith and Marquand Manuel since he took over, also host the Rams and Seahawks before their Week 9 bye.

Inside Cardinals numbers: Kyler Murray ran wild against the Bengals, picking up 93 yards and four first downs. His total of 206 rushing yards (41.2 per game) ranks second among quarterbacks, behind only Lamar Jackson. Atlanta's defense had trouble with a mobile quarterback last week, as Deshaun Watson rushed for 47 yards and three first downs.

Inside Cardinals roster: The “Air” part of Arizona’s Air Raid offense has yet to form. The Cards have played four receivers -– Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, KeeSean Johnson and Damiere Byrd -– more than 200 snaps (often together). None of these wideouts rank in the top 50 of yards per reception. Fitzgerald’s 12.3 per-reception figure leads the Cards, who have no other player eclipsing 11. Deeper-threat rookies Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler have not contributed, due to injury (Butler) or playing a limited role (Isabella).

Dallas (3-2) at N.Y. Jets (0-4), 4:25 p.m. ET

Inside Cowboys numbers: The Cowboys' comeback-less streak continued against Green Bay, as they lost their 11th consecutive game in which they trailed by two scores. Dak Prescott started off his career as a master of the comeback, winning his first three games in which he trailed by one score. He may not need a comeback in Week 6 against a Jets defense that has allowed 34 first-half points over the last two weeks. 

Inside Cowboys roster: Part of Dallas’ offensive letdown came from tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins being out. Each is afflicted with lower-leg injuries. Collins was hurt in the Week 5 loss to Green Bay. Having to play Cam Fleming and UDFA Hunter Bright at tackle obviously affected Dallas, which has seen Smith become injury-prone in recent years. The All-Pro left tackle has missed 10 games over the past three-plus seasons. He and Collins, Pro Football Focus’ top-graded tackle, are expected back against the Jets.

Inside Jets numbers: Sam Darnold has missed six games in his NFL career; the Jets have lost all six, with five of those defeats by at least 14 points. His return should rejuvenate an offense that has played historically awful. The Jets' average of 3.2 yards per play is the seventh-worst mark through four games since the 1970 merger, and the worst in over 40 years. The struggling Jets offensive line (allowing league-high 23 sacks) must hold up against a Cowboys pass rush ranked 12th in quarterback hits (30). 

Inside Jets roster: Darnold is finally set to return, but the team the franchise centerpiece will come back to looks considerably different compared to the moderately hyped squad it was when he contracted mono. The top four players on the Jets’ 2019 cap sheet -– C.J. Mosley ($17.5 million cap number), Le’Veon Bell ($15.5M), Trumaine Johnson ($15M) and Kelechi Osemele ($11.7M) –- have either been injured (Mosley, Osemele), ineffective (Bell) or demoted (Johnson). Only Bell has played through the Jets’ mess. The $13M-average annual value back averages 2.9 yards per carry behind a shoddy offensive line.

Tennessee (2-3) at Denver (1-4), 4:25 p.m. ET

Inside Titans numbers: Marcus Mariota's game manager approach has been a blessing and a curse for Tennessee. On the plus side, he has not turned the ball over, helping the Titans lead the league in fewest turnovers (1) and rank third in turnover differential (+6). Conversely, Mariota has games where he simply cannot lead the offense to any sort of his success. Week 5 marked the Titans' second game in three weeks in which they scored only seven points and lost. Getting back on track may be tough against a Broncos defense allowing just 6.4 yards per pass attempt, sixth best in the league.

Inside Titans roster: Although it’s unclear if Denver’s defensive staff will classify Corey Davis or A.J. Brown as Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver, the former’s reputation may get him the Chris Harris treatment. Long the NFL’s premier slot cornerback, Harris has mostly traveled with No. 1 wideouts this season. Harris’ work against Allen Robinson, Davante Adams and Keenan Allen illustrates the trouble Davis may have Sunday. Thanks largely to Mariota’s continued struggles, Davis has not been consistent. The ex-top-five pick’s 13 catches for 201 yards are on pace to be well below his 2018 marks.

Inside Broncos numbers: A forceful one-two punch at running back in Week 5 led the Broncos to their first victory. Denver ran for a season-best 191 yards (6.0 yards per carry). Phillip Lindsay notched a season-best 114 yards on 15 attempts (7.6 average), and Royce Freeman rumbled for 61 yards on 13 carries (4.8). Tennessee's defense, ranked ninth in rush defense EPA, presents a solid test for the duo. 

Inside Broncos roster: A safety throughout his first Denver offseason, Kareem Jackson spent most of the regular season at cornerback because of Bryce Callahan’s injury. While Jackson returned to his safety post against the Chargers, making a team-high 10 tackles, cornerback De’Vante Bausby’s scary neck injury may force the Broncos to use Jackson in the corner role he mostly played with the Texans. Bausby’s IR trip will likely prompt Denver to use either trade acquisition Duke Dawson or ex-UDFA Davontae Harris in nickel sets. Denver has benched 2018 third-round corner Isaac Yiadom twice already.

Pittsburgh (1-4) at L.A. Chargers (2-3), 8:20 p.m. ET

Inside Steelers numbers: Pittsburgh's ability to take the football away is a silver lining. With 12 takeaways, the Steelers have forced a turnover on 20.7 percent of opponent drives, the best rate in the league. Ball security has been a problem for the Chargers, who have six turnovers in their three losses this season. Their turnover rate of 14.6 percent is ninth highest in the league. 

Inside Steelers roster: Pittsburgh’s roster will look more misshapen when it resurfaces in Los Angeles. A team built to contend with Ben Roethlisberger is now saddled with an undrafted quarterback from a Division I-FCS program, Devlin Hodges. The Samford product-turned-Steelers QB3 is in line to enter a starting lineup with 12 veterans with at least five years’ experience. Injuries to Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph will weaken a Steelers lineup that will have nine non-Roethlisberger regulars –- including four of the team’s five offensive line starters –- north of 30 by season’s end.

Inside Chargers numbers: The Chargers are not capitalizing on their ability to control the ball offensively. They rank fourth in yards per drive (38.8) and first in plays run per drive (6.9), but only 14th in points per drive (2.02). Red-zone efficiency is an issue, as the Chargers rank 24th with a red-zone touchdown rate of 47.1 percent. The Broncos have allowed an identical red-zone touchdown rate on defense, sixth best in the league. 

Inside Chargers roster: At 2-3 and with games in Tennessee and Chicago looming ahead of the October 29 trade deadline, will the franchise still be against moving on from a player not in its future? With Duke Johnson having fetched a third-round pick, the Bolts are certainly aiming higher for RB Melvin Gordon. Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson are under team control beyond 2019. If the Bolts drop two of their next three, they should consider a deal for anything more than a late third-round pick (which would come L.A.’s way via the compensatory process if Gordon leaves in free agency).

MONDAY

Detroit (2-1-1) at Green Bay (4-1), 8:15 p.m. ET

Inside Lions numbers: Nobody outside of Michigan expected the Lions to be playing for first place, but here they are. A thriving secondary is the primary reason Detroit is in this position. Its defense has allowed an 80.3 passer rating (fifth best in NFL). The Lions have kept Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Patrick Mahomes unusually quiet, allowing 20.3 points per game to the trio. That must continue against Aaron Rodgers, who is overdue for a huge game.

Inside Lions roster: One of the defenders responsible for Detroit’s hot start in pass coverage, Justin Coleman has lived up to a lucrative contract. Given a four-year deal worth $36 million that some viewed as an overpay, the former Seahawk and Patriot rates as PFF’s No. 6 overall corner in his first month as a Lion. Coleman traveled with KC's Sammy Watkins in the Lions’ narrow loss, holding him to three catches for 54 yards on six targets. Coleman has played 92.5 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps.

Inside Packers numbers: Ten days after losing a game almost entirely due to poor red-zone performance (3-for-7 versus Philadelphia), the Packers went ground-and-pound at Dallas and enjoyed great results. Aaron Jones punched in four rushing touchdowns, tying the Packers record. Jones now leads the league with eight rushing touchdowns, tying him for the third most through four games in league history. The good times could continue for Jones in Week 6, as run defense is one area the Lions have not mastered. They rank 25th in rush defense EPA and 26th in yards allowed per attempt (4.8).

Inside Packers roster: Green Bay may be down two starting linemen going into this divisional matchup. Center Corey Linsley’s concussion followed left guard Lane Taylor’s trip to IR. The Packers tabbed second-round rookie Elgton Jenkins as Taylor’s replacement and sent in fourth-year UDFA Lucas Patrick for Linsley. This ended a 2,797-snap streak for Linsley, who has been the Packers’ starting center since the start of his 2014 rookie year. Jenkins has impressed early; he's a top-25 guard on Pro Football Focus charts (in 223 snaps).