NFL Week 6: Key Takeaways and Pressing Questions from Every Game

The 2024 NFL season's Week 6 burst into action with the 49ers overcoming the Seahawks in a crucial NFC West showdown on Thursday, followed by an emphatic performance from the Bears, who triumphed over the Jaguars in London. Sunday brought stunning offensive firepower from teams like the Packers, Texans, and Buccaneers, while the Ravens narrowly defeated the Commanders and the Eagles eked out a win against the Browns.

Notably, this week saw two emerging quarterbacks—Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler—make their first starts, although both faced tough losses. Joe Flacco stepped in to guide the Colts to victory over the Titans as well. The late afternoon games were dominated by impressive performances from road teams, with the Lions, Falcons, and Steelers scoring upwards of 30 points. The Chargers not only shut out the Broncos for three quarters but also thwarted a late comeback attempt by rookie Bo Nix.

In a thrilling Sunday night clash, the Bengals claimed their second win of the season against the New York Giants. Let’s dive into the highlights, stats, and lingering questions from every game.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Giants: Bengals 17, Giants 7

Bengals: With Joe Burrow showing flashes of brilliance, particularly with a memorable 47-yard touchdown run that clocked in at 19.86 mph—the fastest by a Bengals QB—can Cincinnati build momentum for their upcoming schedule? However, they still need to address their inconsistency on both the offensive and defensive fronts.

Giants: What’s going wrong with Daniel Jones, who now holds an abysmal 1-14 record in prime-time games? He threw for 205 yards with one interception, highlighting his ongoing struggles to perform under pressure.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: Falcons 38, Panthers 20

Falcons: This game represented a pivotal moment for Atlanta, who finally secured their first significant lead, dominating with 198 rushing yards led by Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson. Can they carry this newfound confidence into their next match?

Panthers: With Chuba Hubbard emerging as a potential trade asset, what is the best path forward for Carolina as they struggle defensively, particularly on third downs?

Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys: Lions 47, Cowboys 9

Lions: The absence of Aidan Hutchinson poses a major challenge, as he is fundamental to the defensive scheme. Who will rise to the occasion in his place?

Cowboys: With an alarming trend of home game failures, can the Cowboys turn their fortunes around? They are currently facing a crushing 0-3 record at AT&T Stadium.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: Chargers 23, Broncos 16

Chargers: As Justin Herbert’s passing performance regains its form, are the Chargers poised for a stronger second half of the season?

Broncos: After a shaky performance, what adjustments can Denver make to improve their lackluster offensive output, especially with quarterback Bo Nix at the helm?

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Steelers 32, Raiders 13

Steelers: With major wins coming from prominent figures like T.J. Watt, how can Pittsburgh build on this momentum moving forward?

Raiders: Following a QB switch to Aidan O'Connell, when will Las Vegas find the spark they desperately need on offense?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: Buccaneers 51, Saints 27

Buccaneers: After a rocky start, can Baker Mayfield consistently deliver results without the costly turnovers?

Saints: What’s next for rookie QB Spencer Rattler following a split performance that showcased both promise and turbulence?

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Texans 41, Patriots 21

Texans: With C.J. Stroud leading a powerful offense, can they maintain this level of play against tougher opponents in coming weeks?

Patriots: What foundational changes will rookie quarterback Drake Maye need to implement to turn New England's fortunes around?

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans: Colts 20, Titans 17

Colts: Are the Colts finally moving past their injury woes and establishing a consistent winning philosophy?

Titans: How can Tennessee break free from a conservative play style that fails to maximize their scoring potential?

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cleveland Browns: Eagles 20, Browns 16

Eagles: Are the Eagles finding ways to improve their first-quarter outputs and overall offensive strategies coming off a bye week?

Browns: With Nick Chubb soon returning, can Cleveland’s ground game become the backbone of their offense as they struggle to score consistently?

Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals: Packers 34, Cardinals 13

Packers: Has Jordan Love finally hit his stride, displaying the capability needed to lead Green Bay back into contention?

Cardinals: Will Arizona's offense find their way back from an uninspired performance, or is more drastic change needed for improvement?

Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Commanders: Ravens 30, Commanders 23

Ravens: Can Lamar Jackson maintain his MVP-caliber performance and elevate Baltimore to playoff contenders?

Commanders: What can Washington do to shore up their defensive gaps and improve their playoff chances in a competitive landscape?

Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bears 35, Jaguars 16

Bears: Has Caleb Williams established a fruitful connection with his receivers, or is this just a fleeting moment of success?

Jaguars: What must Jacksonville do to halt their downward trend and regain the confidence from earlier in the season?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: 49ers 36, Seahawks 24

49ers: Is this win a turning point for San Francisco as they face a challenging schedule ahead?

Seahawks: With playoff aspirations slipping, what adjustments do the Seahawks need to solidify their standing in the NFC?

As the teams gear up for Week 7, these key questions will set the stage for continued drama and excitement in the NFL. Stay tuned!