Week 6 NFL takeaways: Are the Chiefs, Browns and Cowboys in trouble?

The Chiefs and Browns come out of Week 6 on losing streaks, while the Redskins finally got a win on the season. Minnesota’s passing game clicked against Philadelphia, and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson was historic against Cincinnati. In the afternoon, the Niners made a statement, and the Cowboys were upset by the Jets.

All that and more in Week 6’s biggest takeaways from NFL Nation.

Jump to a matchup:
SF-LAR | ATL-ARI | TEN-DEN
DAL-NYJ | HOU-KC | PHI-MIN
NO-JAX | SEA-CLE | CIN-BAL
WSH-MIA | CAR-TB | NYG-NE

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The 49ers are for real, and it’s time for the NFL to take notice. Through four games, the Niners’ detractors offered every reason imaginable why they shouldn’t be taken seriously. But on a day when San Francisco was without its two starting offensive tackles, fullback and a cornerback, they leaned on a defense that’s been nothing short of dominant so far this season to bully the two-time defending NFC West champion Rams all over their home field. Message sent. “This is the win right here,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for, to make a statement in our division. We’re in the driver’s seat now.” — Nick Wagoner

Next game: at Washington (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

For the first time under Sean McVay, the Rams have lost three straight. Once again, the offense failed to establish a rhythm or consistency, as quarterback Jared Goff passed for a career-low 78 yards and was sacked four times. “It’s a gut check,” Goff said. The Rams (3-3) must now find a way to solve their issues on the road as they prepare for a month away from the Coliseum to face the Falcons, the Bengals in London and the Steelers. — Lindsey Thiry

Next game: at Atlanta (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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The Cardinals have a two-game winning streak. Yes, you read that correctly. Sure, the Cardinals beat up on the lowly Falcons for the majority of the game only to see their 17-point lead completely erased. But Arizona’s offense finally found its stride as rookie quarterback Kyler Murray looked as comfortable as he’s been in the offense, and the offense looked as good as it’s been with Murray at the helm. Next up for Arizona is another bad football team in the Giants, but it’ll be another chance for the Cardinals to work out any issues with their offense and even their record at 3-3-1 before the toughest part of their schedule arrives. — Josh Weinfuss

Next game: at N.Y. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

The defense gave up 34 points and couldn’t generate pressure on the QB. Yes, Matt Bryant missed an extra point that could have tied the game late, but don’t put the loss all on Bryant. The defense tightened up in the second half but gave up 300 yards and 20 points in the first half, which proved to be too much to overcome. Arizona’s Murray looked like a seasoned veteran in throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns in the game without getting sacked — and had a game-sealing 5-yard run late. “I think we’re trying,” defensive end Vic Beasley Jr. said of getting sacks. “That joker [Murray] is just as fast as lightning. You’ve got to give him respect when it’s due.” The 1-5 Falcons have to figure out a way to create pressure with Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and possibly Drew Brees as the next three quarterbacks on the schedule, or they can forget about making a dramatic turnaround. — Vaughn McClure

Next game: vs. L.A. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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Things are starting to turn around in Denver. Von Miller has just two sacks for the season, the Broncos have been riddled with injuries at cornerback and there have been significant growing pains at times in Vic Fangio’s defense, failing to record a sack or a forced turnover in the first three games. Yet the Broncos just pitched their first shutout since 2017 and their first seven-sack game since their Super Bowl-winning season of 2015. And as their comfort level has grown in Fangio’s system — they’ve surrendered 74 yards rushing in the past two games combined, both wins — they now get a chance to test it all in a game Thursday night against the Chiefs that could snap their season back on track. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Kansas City (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 17)

The Titans’ offense continues to struggle. They’ve scored only one touchdown in two games. Now they have a quarterback situation on their hands after Mike Vrabel inserted Ryan Tannehill into the game in place of Marcus Mariota. But despite the change, it was the same result. This offense is lifeless and can’t find a rhythm. They’ll need to figure out a way to move the football and finish in the end zone if they plan to salvage what is becoming an elite but wasted defense. — Turron Davenport

Next game: vs. L.A. Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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What a difference a quarterback makes. With Sam Darnold back in the lineup, the Jets resembled an actual NFL offense. They scored three touchdowns, one more than their output in the first four games. Darnold’s ability to slide in the pocket allowed his receivers to get open, especially on deep routes. He didn’t solve all their problems, but his presence galvanized a team that might have been on the verge of splintering. — Rich Cimini

Next game: vs. New England (8:15 p.m. ET, Oct. 21)

The Cowboys turned their attention to the Eagles almost immediately after their loss to the Jets. Both teams are 3-3 but the Cowboys are coming in with three consecutive losses. It’s the third losing streak of at least three games since 2015 under Jason Garrett. A year ago, the Cowboys were 3-5 at the midway point before turning their season around. “It’s a clean slate. We’re 0-0 right now,” Dak Prescott said. “We’ve got a huge game next week. It’s for first in our division, and we’ve got to figure out a way to turn this page and focus on exactly that: How do we become a better offense? How do we become a better team? How do we play better complementary (football)? But everything, as crazy as it is, is still ahead of us.” — Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Philadelphia (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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For the second consecutive week, the Texans’ offense is clicking. Houston rode the running game, finishing with 192 yards and three touchdowns (one from Carlos Hyde and two from Deshaun Watson) on 41 carries. “When the offense is clicking like that, it’s hard to stop us,” Hyde said after the game. Houston hopes to continue its offensive success in Week 7 against the Colts, a team allowing an average of 355.2 yards per game. — Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

The Chiefs will continue to struggle until they improve on defense. They had their lowest time of possession (20:12) ever for a home game on Sunday and ran just 47 plays compared to 83 for the Texans. That’s putting too much pressure on Patrick Mahomes and an offense that is having problems of its own. The Chiefs have needed to be perfect of late on offense, and they haven’t been close. — Adam Teicher

Next game: at Denver (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 17)

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The Vikings beat a good team with a good defense using potent passing attack. This is the formula they’ll need against opponents of the same caliber moving forward. Kirk Cousins was electric with the deep ball and play-action, two elements that have been building within this offense the past two weeks after a slow start to the season. Minnesota’s formula for winning games relies on its top playmakers to make a big impact. Despite perceived frustrations in recent weeks, Stefon Diggs‘ three-touchdown day proves just how important he is in this scheme and that he can string together performances like this regularly if he gets the opportunity. — Courtney Cronin

Next game: at Detroit (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

The Eagles need to figure out their cornerback issue. Eagles linebacker Zach Brown called his former teammate, Kirk Cousins, “probably the weakest part” of the Vikings’ offense. But it was the Eagles’ biggest weakness, their cornerback play, that got exposed — an area of vulnerability that could torpedo Philadelphia’s season if it doesn’t get fixed soon. Jalen Mills (foot) is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list this week and is hopeful to return to practice immediately. The Eagles need a stabilizing force, or at least a helping hand, as they head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. — Tim McManus

Next game: at Dallas (8:20 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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Drew Brees‘ absence has led to some inspired football by the Saints’ defense. For the second time in three weeks, New Orleans’ defense carried the team to a slugfest win. It silenced Minshew Mania and Leonard Fournette, who had been the NFL’s hottest RB over the past two weeks. It was absolutely necessary on a hot afternoon in Jacksonville, when the Saints’ offense was ice cold for much of the day. And they’ll probably need more of the same next week against another top defense at Chicago. — Mike Triplett

Next game: at Chicago (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

Gardner Minshew II actually looked like a rookie quarterback for the first time this season. The sixth-round pick, who had been so good in relief of Nick Foles, had his worst day of the season. He looked jittery in the pocket, misfired on throws and just seemed out of rhythm. The first five weeks, he was decisive and getting the ball out quickly. He wasn’t able to do that as much against the Saints, who did a good job of taking away the downfield throws to DJ Chark Jr. and sacked Minshew twice. This kind of game was bound to happen eventually, as defenses got more tape on Minshew and concentrated on stopping Chark. Can Minshew bounce back next week at Cincinnati? — Mike DiRocco

Next game: at Cincinnati (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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Will Dissly‘s injury is a huge loss. And assuming the Seahawks’ second-year tight end did in fact tear his Achilles, that puts a damper on what Pete Carroll called a “character-building” road win. If it wasn’t clear already, it should be clear now that the Seahawks are never out of any game, even if they start as miserably as they did in this one, falling behind 20-6 in the first half. Anything seems possible for the Seahawks with Russell Wilson continuing to play like an MVP. They’re 5-1 for only the third time in franchise history. The last time was the 2013 season, when they won Super Bowl XLVIII. — Brady Henderson

Next game: vs. Baltimore (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

Once again, the Browns self-destructed too many times. As a result, they’ll head into their much-needed bye week searching for answers after falling to 2-4, including 0-3 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Despite the mounting miscues — four turnovers, a turnover on downs, nine penalties and having a punt blocked — the Browns played well and had an opportunity to defeat a quality opponent. Instead, their potential game-winning drive began with a holding penalty and ended with Baker Mayfield‘s pass bouncing off the hands of running back Dontrell Hilliard for a game-sealing interception. Mayfield declared afterward that if the Browns can somehow eliminate their “self-inflicted” mistakes, they “can be a great football team.” If they can’t, this season could really turn ugly for an already desperate team. — Jake Trotter

Next game: at New England (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 27)

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Lamar Jackson became the first player in the Super Bowl era to produce more than 200 yards passing and 150 yards rushing in a regular-season game. “It’s cool, I guess,” Jackson said. Jackson’s 152 yards rushing and 236 yards passing helped Baltimore overcome mistakes on defense and special teams, as well as avoid an upset loss. His 388 total yards were more than what the Bengals’ offense produced (250). Jackson and the first-place Ravens can extend their lead in the AFC North to 2.5 games over the Browns if they win in Seattle on Sunday. — Jamison Hensley

Next game: at Seattle (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

For the third consecutive week, Cincinnati didn’t have an offensive touchdown through the first three quarters of the game. The issue is a major reason the Bengals are winless after Week 6. Coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the bevy of statistics that show why the offense is failing to produce when games are still in doubt. “We’re not scoring points,” Taylor said. “We’re not scoring touchdowns. Our red zone efficiency is terrible.” All of those things are true. And after multiple weeks of the same issues, it appears the Bengals don’t have a solution. — Ben Baby

Next game: vs. Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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The Redskins did just enough to beat a potentially historically bad team by one point. It feels better than a loss, but much work remains. For them to truly turn it around, quarterback Case Keenum, who will continue to start, must be better. The defense must do a better job against decent quarterbacks and maintain a consistent pass rush. But they can use this as a launching point thanks to the rushing attack. It’ll be a while before the Redskins will know whether the coaching change (Bill Callahan in for Jay Gruden) truly will make a difference on the field, as a win at Miami doesn’t provide enough proof.— John Keim

Next game: vs. San Francisco (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

Miami played a complete 60-minute game for the first time all season. The Dolphins’ valiant 14-point comeback attempt, and Brian Flores’ willingness to go for the two-point conversion (and the win), show just how much fight they still have left. Yes, Miami is the early favorite to have the No. 1 overall pick, but players and coaches are still fighting to win and haven’t quit on the season, despite the 0-5 record. — Cameron Wolfe

Next game: at Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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Sunday’s victory was decided in large part because of a defense that had seven sacks, five interceptions and a fumble recovery. Yes, there are some holes in the secondary, but coach Ron Rivera’s playcalling is causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks, who have been sacked 23 times in the past four games and an NFL-best 27 times on the season. Quarterback Kyle Allen doesn’t have to be great when you’re doing that defensively, and Cam Newton doesn’t have to be rushed back when Allen isn’t doing anything to hurt the team. — David Newton

Next game: at San Francisco (4:05 p.m. ET, Oct. 27)

Quarterback Jameis Winston threw five interceptions and lost one of two fumbles, digging Tampa Bay into a hole it couldn’t climb out of. The Panthers sacked Winston seven times and scored 17 points off Winston’s turnovers. Now at 2-4 and in third place in the NFC South, the Bucs enter the bye week needing to hit the reset button to avoid a lost season under new head coach Bruce Arians. It doesn’t get much easier, with two road games at Tennessee and Seattle after the bye. Since 1990, only 4.5% of teams that were below .500 midway through the season have reached the playoffs. — Jenna Laine

Next game: at Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 27)

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The Patriots’ offense, led by quarterback Tom Brady, still isn’t clicking. Thankfully, the defense and special teams make game-changing plays that continue to buy the short-handed attack more time. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery brought back for a score supplemented an offense that was hurt by two of Brady’s mistakes (interception, strip sack returned for touchdown). But in fairness to Brady, several of the options around him have been lost to injuries. Both he and Bill Belichick noted how unusual it was that they were limited to one personnel grouping in the second half of the game. The Patriots have benefited from a soft schedule, but things get much more challenging in November with back-to-back road games at Baltimore and Philadelphia. — Mike Reiss

Next game: at N.Y. Jets (8:15 p.m. ET, Oct. 21)

Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones had a learning experience. The Giants were overmatched on Thursday night with a short-handed offense and talent-deficient defense. But it wasn’t the defense that was the primary problem this week. They stopped the Patriots on six of their first seven drives and even scored a defensive touchdown. It was progress for a struggling unit. “They gave us a chance to win,” coach Pat Shurmur said. But Jones didn’t while working with insufficient weapons who couldn’t get open. He struggled against the league’s top defense and threw three interceptions. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: vs. Arizona (1 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)

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