For the first time this season, we had limited action as four teams (Titans, Raiders, Texans, and Lions) were all on byes this week. Nonetheless, it was still another electric week in the NFL with several division matchups and face-offs between the league's young stars. Before week seven gets underway with the Saints and Cardinals, let's take one last look at week six in the NFL.
Top Game from Week 6:
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
A rematch of the 2021 AFC Championship game was easily the most anticipated matchup heading into week six. Even without acknowledging the matchup between two of the league's best QBs in Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. When these two teams last met, it was a back-and-forth shootout. This time, however, the defenses showed up; both sides forcing turnovers and even holding their opposition scoreless through the first quarter. Buffalo marched down the field on the opening drive, only to fumble when entering the RedZone. Kansas City responded with an efficient drive of its own. The offense had a goal-to-go situation until Patrick Mahomes threw one of two interceptions in the game. After the two explosive offenses teased the fans with first-quarter Redzone turnovers, they started to come alive in the second period. The Bills opened up the scoring early in the second quarter after an eleven-play drive, taking a 3-0 after Tyler Bass field goal. Mahomes and the Chiefs struck back quickly as JuJu Smith-Schuster broke away from two Bills defenders on third down and sprinted into the endzone from forty-two yards out for the first touchdown of the afternoon. After a turnover on downs from the Bills and multiple punts from both teams, the offenses seemed to be slowing down again. But the Bills got the ball back with just under two minutes before halftime and retook the lead after Allen found deep threat Gabe Davis from thirty-four yards out for a touchdown. Much like last year though, Mahomes and the offense were able to gain a field goal with less than fifteen seconds on the clock. Harrison Butker drilled a sixty-two-yard field goal as time expired, sending us into the half with a 10-10 ball game. The two teams continued to heat up in the second half as Josh Allen found his favorite target, Stefon Diggs, for a seventeen-yard touchdown following a missed field goal from the Chiefs. On the ensuing possession, the Chiefs marched down and tied the game after big plays from Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster. On third and goal Mahomes hooked up with Mecole Hardman for a three-yard score knotting the game up at seventeen. Kansas City’s defense then made a huge stop, forcing the Bills to turn the ball over on downs near midfield early in the final period. However, they were unable to do much after the turnover as the drive stalled out just outside of the RedZone, resulting in another field goal from Butker. After punts from both teams on their next offensive possessions, Allen and the Bills trailed 20-17 with around five and a half minutes to play. Allen did it all on this drive, using his arm and his legs. The MVP front-runner went to his go-to guy in Diggs several times on the drive including an eighteen-yard play to get the Bills just outside of the RedZone. Just three plays after, Allen found Dawson Knox for the go-ahead score and Knox’s first touchdown on the season. The Chiefs were left with 1:04 in the game to score a potential game-winning touchdown. But the Bills came for revenge and didn’t let up. Taron Johnson made an incredible play on the ball on the first play on the drive and intercepted Mahomes, sealing the victory for Buffalo. In a battle of two of the league’s best–teams and Quarterbacks–Josh Allen and the Bills triumphed.
Top Performers:
Joe Burrow (QB) and Ja’Marr Chase (WR), Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow and Chase returned to New Orleans where they won the 2020 College Football National Championship and put on a show once again. The duo gave the Saints’ defense trouble all game. Burrow found Chase seven times totaling one-hundred and thirty-two yards and two of Burrow’s three passing touchdowns. Including what would be the game-winning score. Burrow continued his big day as he passed for three hundred yards and ran for twenty-five more. Burrow found Joe Mixon early on for his first passing touchdown and followed it up by scrambling for a nineteen-yard score just a few drives later. After a bumpy start to the season, the Bengals may be finding their rhythm.
Brandon Aiyuk WR, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk posted a career day against the Falcons, although the 49ers were defeated. Aiyuk scored multiple touchdowns in one game for the first time in his young career and accounted for all of San Francisco’s endzone scores. Jimmy Garoppolo found the third-year receiver early and often as he scored both of his touchdowns in the first half. The Arizona State product tied with teammate George Kittle as the team leader in receptions and yards as he hauled in eight of his eleven targets for eighty-three yards.
Matt Ryan QB, Indianapolis Colts
The absence of All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor was apparent as Ryan logged the second most pass attempts in his long career with fifty-eight. Ryan made the most of these attempts though, completing forty-two passes for just over a seventy-two percent completion rate (72.4%). The former MVP threw for nearly four hundred yards (389) and dished out three touchdowns in the Colts’ come-from-behind win. Ryan also added another game-winning drive to his resume as he led the Colts down the field and delivered the go-ahead touchdown to rookie Alec Pierce.
Rhamondre Stevenson RB, New England Patriots
With Damien Harris sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Rhamondre Stevenson made the most of an expanded role. Stevenson recorded seventy-six of the team’s ninety-eight rushing yards and two of their three touchdowns on the ground. Stevenson was also a solid safety blanket for rookie QB Bailey Zappe, as the second-year product caught four of seven targets for fifteen yards. The former Oklahoma Sooner dominated the snap count for the Patriots’ backs, being the only running back to carry the ball until late in the third quarter. With Harris in line to potentially miss week seven, Stevenson is likely to remain the featured back in New England.
Josh Allen QB, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen continues to strengthen his case for the MVP award, this time out-dueling Patrick Mahomes. In a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship, Allen shined once again. Completing twenty-seven of forty pass attempts for three hundred and twenty-nine yards and three scores, Kansas City had no answer for the Pro Bowl QB. He continued to play a role in the rushing attack as well, finishing second in carries and yards (12 for 32) for the Bills. After another outstanding performance, Allen leads the league in passing yards and is tied for first in passing touchdowns this season. The Bills are in a great position as of now; sitting at 5-1 going into the off week.
Kenneth Walker III RB, Seattle Seahawks
Walker made his first career start due to the injury to Rashaad Penny and had a productive day in Seattle’s 19-9 victory. Walker ran twenty-one times for ninety-seven yards–both career highs– and found the endzone once. Walker was also the only running back for Seattle with a reception, recording two catches on three targets for thirteen yards. Walker looks poised to take on a “workhorse” like role, accounting for all but two rushing attempts from Seattle running backs this week. The rookie from Michigan State will look to keep his positive momentum going next week against the Chargers.
Injury Updates and News:
Robbie Anderson WR, Carolina Panthers
Anderson was sent to the locker room during Sunday’s game by interim Head Coach Steve Wilks, after several outbursts and alterations with assistant coaches. Just a day after the Panthers’ loss to the Rams, Anderson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for two late-round draft picks. The trade provides a fresh start for Robbie Anderson, who was frustrated with his role in Carolina; and gives the Cardinals more depth at the position with Hollywood Brown slated to miss some time.
Carson Wentz QB, Washington Commanders
Wentz suffered a fractured finger during Thursday night’s victory over the Bears. The fracture was on Wentz’s ring finger, and the Commanders’ QB is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Wentz has yet to have been placed on the injured reserve but has already been ruled out for week seven against the Packers. With the former number two overall pick sidelined, fan-favorite Taylor Heinicke is set to start for the next few games.
Kenny Pickett QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The rookie QB was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol after enduring a head injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s game versus the Buccaneers. Pickett left the game and did not return, sending Mitchell Trubisky into the game. Pickett will have to go through the league’s protocol for head injuries before being able to play. However, the hope is that he will be cleared in time for Pittsburgh’s Sunday night game against the Dolphins.
Charvarius Ward CB, San Francisco 49ers
Ward exited Sunday’s loss against the Falcons with a groin injury and did not return to the game. For a 49ers team that has been depleted by injuries on defense, losing Ward would be another big loss for Kyle Shanahan’s team. Thankfully though, Ward’s injury is considered day-to-day, and he is expected to play in week seven.
Cameron Brate TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s Tight End suffered a scary neck injury on Sunday that resulted in him being carted off the field. Brate gave the fans and his teammates a thumbs up as he was being taken off the field, and thankfully he did not suffer a serious injury. Brate traveled back to Tampa with the team and is currently diagnosed with a sprained neck.
Joe Noteboom OT, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have already been affected by injuries and overall poor play by their offensive line. Unfortunately for Sean McVay and this position group, they’ll be without Noteboom for the remainder of the season. Noteboom suffered what was originally feared to be a torn Achilles and after further evaluation, the Rams’ fears were confirmed. As a result of the injury, the Rams have placed Noteboom on the injured reserve.
Randall Cobb WR, Green Bay Packers
Cobb left Sunday’s game against the Jets with an ankle injury and originally feared that he would be out for a long duration. Cobb went through X-rays after the game and received the great news that there was no structural damage to his ankle. Cobb is currently dealing with a sprained ankle and is looking at a 2-4 week absence. With a receiving unit that has struggled mightily thus far, the news that Cobb will return this season is huge. Rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are likely to see more opportunities with Cobb out of the lineup.
Mike McGlinchey OT, San Francisco 49ers
McGlinchey left week six’s matchup with Atlanta early on with a calf injury and did not return. McGlinchey was later diagnosed with a calf contusion according to Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. But, the Notre Dame product is currently considered day-to-day, like teammate Charvarius Ward. Both Ward and McGlinchey are expected to return to the field for week seven against the Chiefs.
Marquise Brown WR, Arizona Cardinals
Brown exited Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks with a foot injury that was originally believed to be serious and potentially sideline him for the rest of the season. However, after further evaluation into the injury, Brown is expected to return later in the season as he’s dealing with a small fracture to his foot. The fracture will not require surgery. The newly acquired receiver is set to miss about six weeks, further justifying the Cardinals’ decision to trade for Robbie Anderson. With DeAndre Hopkins also returning after a six-game suspension, the Cardinals will need him to replace Brown’s production.
Russell Wilson QB, Denver Broncos
Wilson endured a hamstring injury during Monday night’s defeat against the Chargers although he was able to finish the game. There was uncertainty surrounding Wilson and the seriousness of the injury at first. But, after undergoing an MRI Wilson is considered day-to-day. With the Broncos’ offense struggling early in the season, Wilson remaining mostly healthy is big news for them.
*All stats were received from ESPN's stats & info. department
*Injury news received from CBSSports.com