NFL Game Week 6 - Schedule, Picks & Where to Watch
The topsy-turvy 2024 NFL season continued in Week 5, with several big teams putting out underwhelming performances. The NFC West, in particular, took a battering, with the San Francisco 49ers losing to the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks suffering a shock defeat to the New York Giants. It certainly appears as if the Super Bowl hangover has left its mark on San Fran, as they don’t appear to be ready to execute a revenge tour any time soon.
Over in the AFC, however, the team that downed the 49ers in that Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs, just can’t stop winning. A long list of injuries doesn’t appear to be slowing them down, with the team now extending to a 5-0 record and with some pretty big wins under their belt already. The polar opposite is occurring in Cincinnati, with their offense now genuinely looking like one of the best in the NFL, but a 1-4 record giving them an immensely steep hill to climb. It certainly looks as if the race for the AFC title will be between the Chiefs, Ravens, and Texans. It is certainly going to be a fascinating watch, but for now, let’s dig into the biggest games that Week 6 has to offer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
- Date & Time: Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- Broadcast Details: FOX
Game Preview:
The NFC South has quickly transitioned from one of the worst divisions in the NFL to one of the best. Tampa Bay and Atlanta treated us to a barn burner of a Thursday Night Football match in Week 5, and this week, the Buccaneers will be tackling the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints were the biggest surprise of the NFL after two weeks, with Klint Kubiak bringing in an exciting offensive masterplan never before seen in New Orleans. Ninety-one points after two weeks had Saints fans in dreamland, but just 49 points from their last three games, and three losses, have firmly brought them back down to earth. Derek Carr, after starting the season red-hot, has been a big part of the problem, throwing interceptions in each of the last four games and completing under 65% of his passes in the three losses.
Unfortunately for New Orleans, Derek Carr took a hit at the end of the Chiefs game, and his status appears to be up in the air for this game. Fans will be hoping he can play, because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense has conceded the fifth-most passing yards this year with 1,292. They are fresh off giving up a 500-yard performance to Kirk Cousins.
One quarterback we know for sure will be playing is Baker Mayfield, who has been red-hot for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. He has passed for 1,164 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just two interceptions so far this year, completing 71.9% of his passes. He was absolutely not the problem in the team's loss to Atlanta on Thursday night, thanks to a 180-yard, three-touchdown performance.
He benefits from a very talented wide receiver duo of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who have both posted over 275 yards already and have eight touchdowns between them. They have been helped out massively by the emergence of rookie running back Bucky Irving, who is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and giving the Buccaneers' offense some balance. He is a significant improvement over Rachaad White as a pure rusher, which has played a big part in Tampa Bay being a top-10 scoring team this year.
Prediction/Analysis:
Tampa Bay has been one of the best teams in the NFL so far this year, and they should be able to get the job done against a declining New Orleans outfit, especially if Derek Carr misses the game due to injury. New Orleans benefits from playing at home, but the Buccaneers are overall more talented and will be desperate for this division win after last Thursday’s painful loss.
Washington Commanders @ Baltimore Ravens
- Date & Time: Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- Broadcast Details: CBS
Game Preview:
Who would have thought that this game would be considered one of the most exciting in Week 6 prior to the season? In fact, you could’ve given me 10 guesses as to who would be leading the league in scoring after five weeks, and I would’ve been wrong every single time, because that team is the Washington Commanders. Their 155 points average out at 31 points per game, and this has only been possible because Jayden Daniels is delivering a sensational rookie season.
He may have only thrown four touchdowns and two interceptions, but he has completed 77.1% of his passes for 1,135 yards and added 300 more yards and 4 touchdowns as a rusher. This Baltimore defense is stocked full of talent, but they have conceded the second-most passing yards this season with 1,401. One of Daniels' biggest strengths is his deep accuracy, and his connection with Terry McLaurin has certainly started to heat up in recent weeks. We know Baltimore is going to score points, so maybe this is another week where we see the Jayden Daniels deep passing game get unleashed again.
On the other side of the ball, Baltimore has been fantastic so far this season and probably deserves more than their 3-2 record. The Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry partnership has absolutely lived up to expectations, helping the Ravens become the first team since the 2006 Falcons to have over 1,000 rushing yards in the first five games of the season.
There is arguably no better rushing quarterback in the NFL—ironically, other than maybe Jayden Daniels—but Lamar has also been red-hot with his arm. He has thrown for 1,206 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception this year, and now goes up against a Washington defense that is very beatable. This one should be high-scoring and very enjoyable to watch.
Prediction/Analysis:
As good as the Washington Commanders have been, it is hard to see them walking away from M&T Bank Stadium with a win. Through Henry and Jackson, the Ravens have an almost unstoppable rushing attack, and when you overcommit to stop them, they still have star talents in Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely in the passing game, with an MVP in Lamar throwing them the ball. The Commanders' defense is the weakest unit in this whole fixture, which means Baltimore should get the win.
Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys
- Date & Time: Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
- Broadcast Details: FOX
Game Preview:
The Detroit Lions, fresh off their bye, will head to AT&T Stadium to take on the Dallas Cowboys, who just managed to grind out a win in primetime against Pittsburgh. That was a big victory for Dallas, who would’ve found themselves facing a lot of pressure and criticism had they not. The other big news from that game was that Rico Dowdle finally broke through as a leader in the running back stable. He posted 87 yards on 20 carries on the ground, in addition to 27 yards and a touchdown through the air. This is great news for a Cowboys team that desperately needs playmakers, aside from CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb has been consistent this year, racking up 378 yards and 2 touchdowns, but has not yet surpassed 100 yards in a game. Viral clips of him shouting at Dak Prescott on the sidelines reflect just how close this team could’ve been to a painful week had they not managed to get the win.
It is going to be much tougher for them this week, though, going up against a 3-1 Detroit Lions side that is well-rested. Their 151 yards per game on the ground are the sixth-most in the NFL, and you can bet that they will rely on that this week against a Dallas defensive front that is in the bottom 10 for rushing yards conceded. Detroit thrives when they can establish the run and then use play-action passing to their superstars Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. The Lions will fancy their chances with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence set to miss again due to injury.
Prediction/Analysis:
This game sets up nicely for Detroit. They are benefiting from a week of rest and are going up against a Dallas team that just had to grind out a tough win away at Pittsburgh. The Cowboys are also depleted along the defensive line, which should help Detroit establish the run with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Dallas did well to leave Pittsburgh with a win, but they should be considered heavy underdogs here.
Honorable Mentions
Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets
- Monday, Oct 14th, 8:20 p.m. | ESPN (ManningCast on ESPN2)
Both of these teams are coming off disappointing losses in Week 5, but it is nevertheless a must-watch AFC East clash. Can Josh Allen outduel Aaron Rodgers, and do the Jets rally after the firing of head coach Robert Saleh?
Author: Venuse, Inc.