NFL Week 6 takeaways: Rams in hassle after newest self-inflicted loss

For a crew that was labelled a “super team” coming into the season, the Los Angeles Rams have appeared extra like an excellent disappointment by six weeks.

Their newest dud got here on Sunday once they misplaced to the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) at dwelling on a walk-off discipline aim.

What was labelled as a high-powered Rams offence managed simply 16 factors in opposition to an Arizona defence that entered the sport permitting probably the most within the NFL.

And whereas the Cardinals positively deserve some credit score, as has been the case all season, the Rams’ greatest points Sunday have been self-inflicted.

Ill-timed penalties, unhealthy play calling, particular groups errors and dear turnovers all got here into play on Sunday because the pre-season Super Bowl favourites fell to 2-4 and final within the NFC West.

Did a questionable name on the finish of the sport and shedding Blake Grupe, their newly signed kicker, to damage within the first quarter partially contribute to the loss?

But if the Rams performed just like the crew many believed them to be coming into the season, this sport should not have been shut.

“You know, we won’t win a game unless we figure out how not to beat ourselves,” a visibly annoyed Rams head coach Sean McVay advised reporters after the sport.

The excellent news for the Rams? There are nonetheless 11 video games left to show this factor round, and so they might get prized low season acquisition Myles Garrett again as early as subsequent week.

But irrespective of how a lot expertise they could have on the sector, if the Rams do not clear issues up, they will neglect about contending for a championship in what was purported to be a Super Bowl-or-bust marketing campaign.

Here are another takeaways from Week 6:

Stroud has Texans again in enterprise

Speaking of 2-4, that is the place the Texans discover themselves after Sunday. But regardless of the equivalent information, the vibes are an entire lot higher in Houston proper now.

That’s as a result of the Texans have gained two in a row, and their franchise quarterback is on a tear.

C.J. Stroud continued his sturdy play this season over in London as he led the Texans to a 34-31 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 25-year-old QB threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns and appeared in full management of the offence.

This was the Stroud everybody anticipated after his sensational first 12 months as a professional that noticed him win Offensive Rookie of the Year. But the previous two seasons have been a significant battle, and lots of puzzled if he might ever return to his rookie type.

So far, so good by six video games in 2026.

If Stroud retains it up, and their proficient defence finds just a little extra consistency, the Texans have an actual likelihood to get better from a 0-4 begin and make some actual noise within the AFC.

Packers defence stymies Cowboys

One week after the Green Bay Packers offence dominated in a 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears, it was their defence that took centre stage on Sunday evening.

The Dallas Cowboys got here into Sunday averaging 27.6 factors per sport, however managed to place up simply 13 at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay picked off Dak Prescott twice, and possibly ought to’ve had a 3rd if not for a questionable roughing the passer name.

With Jordan Love additionally discovering his rhythm on the opposite facet of the ball, the Packers are beginning to put collectively a really complementary soccer crew.

Oh, did we point out that they’re nonetheless ready on the approaching return of Micah Parsons, one of many defensive gamers within the NFL?

The Packers may need one thing cooking right here.

Allen masking Bills’ defensive deficiencies

Every week, Josh Allen makes a minimum of one play that exhibits why he is most likely the most effective participant in soccer proper now.

And Sunday’s feat was one in all his greatest.

With the Buffalo Bills up 16-13 over the Las Vegas Raiders within the third quarter, and dealing with a 3rd and eight on the Vegas 12-yard line, Allen put his playmaking magic on show.

The former MVP dropped again, stepped up within the pocket, prevented a sack from behind, then side-arm flipped the ball to a wide-open Keon Coleman ultimately zone as a number of Raiders defenders closed in.

It was the play of the day, and presumably the season.

The Bills at the moment are 5-1 after a 33-30 victory, and are averaging a league-leading 32.8 factors per sport this season.

However, they’ve wanted virtually each level as their defence is giving up 28.5 factors per contest, the fifth most within the league.

Allen will hold the Bills in each sport, however because the stakes get larger and the competitors will get stiffer, will probably be necessary for the Bills to get extra out of their defence in the event that they’re critical about bringing a Lombardi Trophy to the town of Buffalo for the primary time.

Williams’ return sparks Bears offence

Ah sure, that is what the Chicago Bears offence is meant to seem like.

Caleb Williams returned after a three-week absence, and no offence to backup QB Tyson Bagent, however issues simply appeared totally different on Sunday.

Head coach Ben Johnson was capable of unleash his full playbook once more, because the Bears offence utterly managed the sport in what ended as a 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Williams accomplished 30-of-36 passes for 305 yards and a landing, because the Bears had extra third-down conversions (9) than incompletions (six).

After one to neglect in opposition to the Packers final week, the Bears reminded everybody why they’re a menace with Williams again on the helm.

McCarthy time in New York?

The New York Giants might have misplaced to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but it surely may need include a silver lining.

Trailing 34-10 within the fourth quarter and the offence floundering, the Giants determined to bench beginning quarterback Jameis Winston for 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy got here into the sport with simply 11:25 remaining, however boy oh boy did her take advantage of it.

The Michigan product threw for 243 yards and one landing whereas main the Giants to 17 unanswered factors to out of the blue make it a sport once more. His 243 yards within the fourth quarter have been probably the most by any quarterback this season.

He even had New York in place to tie the sport with time dwindling down, however got here up 14 yards quick.

No, as he did throw one interception and perhaps ought to’ve had a few others.

But there was no query he was extra dynamic than Winston, who might very properly be out of a beginning job.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal on naming a beginning quarterback for Week 7 after the loss, however with Jaxson Dart out for the season, the Giants ought to take the chance to see what they’ve in McCarthy.

After all, at 3-2-1, they’re nonetheless in first place within the struggling NFC East.

Steelers, Browns win ugly

There will not be any model factors handed out to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Sunday, however they each got here away with victories, and that is all that actually issues.

The Steelers sleepwalked by the primary three quarters in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however Aaron Rodgers rallied the crew simply in time.

Rodgers engineered 16 fourth-quarter factors, aided closely by his newfound reference to rookie receiver Germie Bernard. Then he led a scientific drive in extra time to assist the Steelers pull out a 26-19 victory.

Over in Cleveland, the Browns have been shut out within the first half by the Baltimore Ravens, however their defence stored them within the sport.

Thanks to a few well timed compelled turnovers and defensive stops, the Browns have been capable of overcome a 10-0 halftime deficit, with DeShaun Watson main a game-winning discipline aim drive because the clock expired.

Good groups discover a method to win even when issues aren’t clicking, and the Steelers and Browns at the moment are tied atop the ultra-competitive AFC North at 4-2.

Performance of the day: Travis Hunter

While Allen had the play of the day, Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter had the sport of the day.

Hunter made waves by turning into simply the fifth participant in NFL historical past to have an interception and landing in the identical sport, and the primary participant to take action since 2002.

While it got here in a shedding effort, the truth that Hunter is beginning to flip into the two-way menace that Jacksonville envisioned when it drafted him with the No. 2 decide is a really constructive signal for the Jags.

Shoutout of the day: Tennessee Titans

We’d be remiss if we did not give the Titans their flowers for his or her first win of the season with a 26-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

It was Robert Saleh’s first win as head coach of the Titans, and it was made attainable by their defence and particular groups.

The Titans nonetheless have a significant choice to make on the way forward for second-year QB Cam Ward, who continued to battle even within the victory.

But hey, a minimum of they know they will not go winless.