NFL Week 6 lowlights: A look at Colts' brutal collapse and more

Los Angeles was outgained, 338-286, in a game in which its offense couldn't get into any rhythm, producing three first-half three-and-outs and two second-half turnovers on downs. Making the loss worse, the Rams prevented the Cardinals from finishing drives in the end zone, instead holding them to six field goals.

"We won't win a game unless we figure out how to not beat ourselves," an irritated Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters in post-game news conferences.

"I thought our defense did enough to keep us in the game," McVay continued, "but anytime we'd string along a little bit of momentum, we'd turn it over, we'd take a negative."

For a team that's supposed to be led by its offense, Sunday's loss was especially abysmal. And while a soft upcoming schedule with games against the Las Vegas Raiders (3-3), Los Angeles Chargers (0-6) and Washington Commanders (1-3-1) would appear to give Los Angeles room to quickly improve, losing to the previously one-win Cardinals suggests the Rams may not be able to take advantage of the favorable stretch.

Worst collapse: Indianapolis Colts

Of the four teams to hold double-digit leads on Sunday only to lose, none were more excruciating than the Colts (2-4), who gave the Tennessee Titans (1-5) their first win of the season in a 26-20 loss.

Indianapolis, to put it simply, had no business losing. At one point midway through the third quarter, it had 93.9 percent odds of winning, per ESPN Analytics, only to be outscored 23-7 the rest of the way.

The Colts ran 33 more plays than the Titans and had a 399-186 advantage, but a brutal second-half collapse that featured drives ending in a fumble, interception and blocked punt returned for a touchdown was their undoing.

With the loss, head coach Shane Steichen's job security should be under scrutiny. In his fourth season as Colts head coach, the former Eagles offensive coordinator has never reached the playoffs, and at 2-4 with games at the Minnesota Vikings (5-0) and Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) forthcoming, things might not get any better soon.

Worst quarterback performance: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

A look at Penix's surface-level numbers, and one would wonder what he's doing here. The Falcons quarterback finished with an admirable box score, going 19-of-33 for 225 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-23 home loss to the Chicago Bears (4-2).

But probe deeper, and Penix's alarming day reveals itself. Most of the third-year quarterback's production came with Chicago comfortably ahead by multiple scores. In the moments the game was in reach, Penix flopped.

Per Sumer Sports data, during the first half, he was just 6-of-13 for 55 yards. The Falcons went three-and-out on their first two possessions and turned the ball over on downs three times before the offense woke up in a 31-7 game early in the fourth quarter.

Most concerning for Atlanta, the Bears gave others a blueprint to follow in attacking the Falcons. Chicago applied relentless pressure against Penix, who was blitzed on 51.3 percent of his dropbacks. He ended up taking a season-high five sacks, including on his final play (after the Falcons made it a one-possession game) that resulted in a lost fumble.

If teams can successfully pressure Penix, it's game over for the Falcons. With numerous ACL injuries since college, few quarterbacks are more compromised in their mobility than the former first-rounder.

Penix is a one-dimensional quarterback, and when struggling to complete passes, he lacks the ability to impact games. For a team with as much offensive talent as the Falcons (2-4), the front office should demand more from the position.

Worst coaching decision: New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh benches running back Cam Skattebo

Harbaugh spent so much time being mad at Skattebo for fumbling the football that he must have forgotten to remind quarterbacks Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy, who combined to throw three interceptions, of the importance of ball security.

The Giants (3-2-1) squandered an early 10-0 lead in one of the day's wildest games, a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints (2-4), and Skattebo was a complete non-factor, failing to record a single touch.

After he fumbled four times in the first five weeks, Harbaugh needed to send a message, but the longtime coaching veteran may have wanted to consider the opponent. Entering Week 6, the Saints had ranked No. 30 against the rush, allowing 148.8 yards per game, yet Giants backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. (six carries, 18 yards), Devin Singletary (four carries, 14 yards) and Najee Harris (four carries, two yards) were unable to take advantage of the exploitable matchup.

Harbaugh's tough act backfired, and in a twist of irony, the Saints tied the game at 10 before the half after recovering a fumble by Giants kick returner Charlie Jones.

Perhaps playing Skattebo wouldn't have made a difference in the result, but as New York's best back, he should have been on the field against a team that hadn't stopped the run before Sunday.

Worst defensive performance: Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Gardner-Johnson's schtick is growing tiresome.

Always one to wear out his welcome, the eight-year vet may already be on thin ice after being ejected from Sunday's 33-30 win by the Bills (5-1) over the Raiders for spitting in the direction of tight end Brock Bowers.

"I gotta be a better player, gotta be a better vet," Gardner-Johnson told reporters afterward. "They brought me here to play in big games like this, so I gotta do better."

Head coach Joe Brady addressed it, too, commenting, "The discipline of our football team has to improve, and that sure as hell can't happen.

"It definitely has to be addressed," Brady added.

After beginning his career in New Orleans, where he was once infamously punched by teammate Michael Thomas during a practice, Gardner-Johnson has been unable to find a consistent NFL home, bouncing between six teams over the past four seasons, including three (Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans) in 2025 alone.

Anyone want to bet against the number soon increasing to seven? That is, as long as another team wants the hassle.