NFL Week 6 preview: Pressure mounting on Chargers’ Herbert, Harbaugh

This was presupposed to be the 12 months for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Coming off a season the place they one way or the other scraped collectively a playoff look regardless of numerous key accidents, the Chargers have been as soon as once more the darling of the low season.

They have been more healthy, they employed Mike McDaniel to run their offence and quarterback Justin Herbert was presupposed to be getting into his prime at age 28.

But for all of the promise the summer season introduced, the begin to the 2026 season has been an unmitigated catastrophe in L.A.

The Chargers enter a Week 6 matchup towards the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs winless, and the stress on Herbert and head coach John Harbaugh is rising by the day.

“Yeah, I don’t know what that message is,” Harbaugh mentioned after he was requested what he would inform his crew when it dropped to 0-5.

Well, it begins with the offence and Herbert.

For all of the flashes of sky-high potential all through his profession, there is no query that Herbert has regressed this season.

Over his first six seasons within the league, Herbert had turned the ball over on 1.7 per cent of his offensive performs, per TruMedia. This season, that quantity has skyrocketed to 4.9 per cent, which is the best mark within the NFL.

He’s tied for the league lead with seven interceptions, lots of which have come at pivotal factors within the recreation.

Could a few of or not it’s blamed on extra offensive-line accidents and his first season in McDaniel’s offence?

But there is no query there’s something off with Herbert this season, and that may be a very troubling signal for the Chargers.

With his QB floundering, it is going to be fascinating to observe how Harbaugh handles the remaining 12 video games of the season.

Could he transfer on from McDaniel? Would he take into account taking up offensive playcalling himself?

Because whereas the playoffs might already be a pipe dream, there could also be some uncomfortable conversations headed Harbaugh’s method if issues stay establishment.

Here are another storylines we’re maintaining a tally of in Week 6:

Marvin Harrison Jr. reunited with C.J. Stroud

Speaking of stress, Marvin Harrison Jr. might be below the microscope throughout the pond.

Houston gave up a second-round choose to amass the 24-year-old large receiver from the Arizona Cardinals, and he’s anticipated to make his Texans debut in London towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While a second-round choose may not look like so much for a receiver who was chosen fourth total, it’s based mostly on Harrison Jr.’s manufacturing.

The son of Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison did not dwell as much as expectations in Arizona.

He had simply 5 catches for 85 yards within the first 4 video games this season earlier than the Cardinals determined to maneuver on.

The hope for the Texans is that reuniting Harrison with Ohio State teammate C.J. Stroud will rejuvenate his profession.

But with the Texans sitting at 1-4, there’s stress on Harrison to carry out proper off the bat.

Otherwise, that second-round choose might appear like a misguided gamble.

Bears look to bounce again towards Falcons

The Chicago Bears have been pressured to eat a slice of humble pie in Week 5.

Chicago was thumped 31-7 by division rival Green Bay final weekend, because the Packers outclassed the Bears from begin to end.

Part of the rationale was that backup QB Tyson Bagent turned again right into a pumpkin towards the Packers, as backups typically do after one profitable begin.

But the excellent news is that Caleb Williams seems able to return from a three-game absence. He’s listed as questionable, but in addition posted a hype video on his private social-media accounts Friday, which might point out he is able to go.

If he does certainly return, anticipate head coach Ben Johnson to attempt to remind the league simply how harmful his offence might be with Williams on the helm.

The Bears may have to attain loads of factors to win, because the Falcons offence has additionally been buzzing with Michael Penix Jr. below centre.

If you want offence, this may very well be the sport for you.

Game to observe: Buffalo Bills (4-1) @ Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

This seems like a harmful letdown spot for Buffalo.

The Bills are on a brief week after an exciting time beyond regulation win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, and so they determined to remain and follow in Southern California earlier than they head to Las Vegas to tackle the Raiders.

“To come out right here and probably not need to stress about going all the best way to the east coast, all the best way again to the west coast for the sport on Sunday, get an opportunity to sort of put our ft down and actually simply attempt to hone in on getting higher, proceed to construct our crew camaraderie and hanging out with one another, breaking bread,” Josh Allen mentioned this week.

“But, yeah, we’re here for a business trip.”

Making issues harder is the truth that the Raiders have their very own motivation on Sunday, as they have been crushed by the New England Patriots in Week 5.

After a 3-0 begin, the Raiders have misplaced two in a row and might be wanting to show they will compete with the very best the league has to supply.

Forrest’s favourites (Season file: 4-5)

Texans @ Jaguars — Pick: Jags -2.5: The Texans did not get into London till Friday, whereas Jacksonville has been there since final week. As we have seen this season, abroad journey can matter, so we’re rolling with the Jags.

Panthers @ Eagles — Pick: Panthers -3: The Panthers are coming off a bye, whereas the Eagles offence has been utterly decimated by accidents, together with to QB Jalen Hurts. Ride with Carolina.

Bears @ Falcons — Pick: Bears -1.5: With Williams anticipated again within the fold, Johnson ought to have the ability to open issues up and show final week’s loss was only a blip on the radar.

Full Week 6 schedule (all occasions ET):

Thursday, Oct. 15
Denver Broncos 17, Seattle Seahawks 14 (OT)

Sunday, Oct. 18
Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley, London), 9:30 a.m.
Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
New York Jets at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 19
Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.

Bye week: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings