Two-minute drill: Primetime showdowns, divisional clashes, Eagles lose QB Jalen Hurts for season, more

Week 6 in the NFL brought more surprising results and thrilling finishes. Now a third of the way through the regular season, here is what to watch as we head into Week 7 and what stood out the most in the past week.

Patriots-Bears, Chiefs-Seahawks clash in pivotal primetime games

After a 1-2 start to the season and six combined interceptions from quarterback Drake Maye, the New England Patriots (4-2) head to Soldier Field for a Thursday night affair with the Chicago Bears (4-2). With three straight wins to their credit, including a key AFC East win over the Buffalo Bills (5-1), Maye has upped his game with 10 passing TDs and only one interception during that stretch, though the Patriots still have the third-worst turnover differential (-6) in the league.

The Bears, meanwhile, endured a three-game stint without QB Caleb Williams (right hamstring) before the dual-threat QB returned with a vengeance on Sunday in a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons (2-4). Although the Bears nearly squandered a 31-7 lead in the fourth quarter, Williams was sensational in his return (30-of-36, 305 yards, one TD) and looked like he had not missed a beat.

On Sunday night, the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) take their undefeated record out west to face the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks (3-3). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce have returned to form this season, but the biggest story for the Chiefs remains offseason acquisition Kenneth Walker III, who is playing at an MVP level with the most rush yards (665) in league history in a player’s first five games with a team.

While Walker will have some extra motivation going against his former team on Sunday night, the Seahawks are just looking to stop the bleeding as losers of their last two games. To do that, QB Sam Darnold needs to take better care of the ball with the second-most interceptions thrown this season (seven). Getting a little help from the 18th-ranked rushing attack (107.2 YPG) could help, too.

Bengals-Ravens, Packers-Lions meet in huge divisional clashes

Coming off a bye week, the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) head into a critical road game against the Baltimore Ravens (4-2) with both teams looking up at the surprising Cleveland Browns (4-2) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) in the AFC North. With a loss to Pittsburgh already, an 0-2 start in the division could be difficult for Cincinnati to overcome.

The focus for the Ravens will be on the status of QB Lamar Jackson, who has missed the last two games with a left ankle sprain and is currently listed as questionable for Sunday. While Baltimore split those two games, the offense was mostly nonexistent in a 13-10 loss to the Browns.

In the wildly entertaining NFC North division, a lot is on the line when the Green Bay Packers (4-2) and Detroit Lions (3-2) square off for the first time this season. The defense was dominant once again in Green Bay’s 23-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys (2-4) on Sunday night, but the potential return of running back Josh Jacobs from an alleged domestic incident in the spring would be huge for a team that has been plagued by a poor ground game and lackluster offensive line play.

The Lions return from their bye week looking to make some gains defensively after allowing 30 or more points in three of their five games. That said, QB Jared Goff has impressed (12 TDs, zero interceptions) and some help may be on the way with the likelihood that center Cade Mays (broken right wrist) and safety Brian Branch (torn Achilles) could make their season debuts.

Eagles’ season takes another turn after losing Jalen Hurts for the season

The season continues to get away from the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4) after what was initially determined to be a superficial blood clot in QB Jalen Hurts’ leg turned into multiple blood clots in his lungs that will officially put him out of action for the rest of the 2026 season. 

While the NFLPA has called for the league to investigate the team's handling of Hurts' medical situation and the Eagles turn their attention to the Cowboys on Monday night as they try to find an answer at QB, here’s to a speedy recovery for the Super Bowl LIX MVP amid a scary situation. 

Rams are in trouble 

It is officially starting to turn into panic mode for the Los Angeles Rams (2-4) after back-to-back losses, including a stunning 18-16 setback against the 2-4 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. They even allowed zero TDs in the game, but with two of their four losses coming against NFC West opponents, the Rams are certainly in trouble.

Injuries are also starting to take a toll. Wide receiver Davante Adams (ruptured hamstring) is expected to miss six to 10 weeks, while defensive tackle Poona Ford (ruptured triceps) and recently signed kicker Blake Grupe (torn right ACL) are out for the rest of the season. Defensive end Kobie Turner, meanwhile, is expected to be out four to six weeks with a groin strain, while Myles Garrett (left knee) and cornerback Trent McDuffie (groin) continue to deal with their own injuries.

A favorable upcoming schedule against the Las Vegas Raiders (3-3), Los Angeles Chargers (0-6), Washington Commanders (1-4-1) and Cardinals looms, but the Rams already lost to that same Cardinals team and could be in danger of even missing the playoffs if they are not careful.