2026 NFL Week 6 Biggest Takeaways for Every Team

Action began early for the NFL's Week 6, with the Houston Texans making the campaign's first big trade by acquiring wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals.

Can the former fourth overall draft pick change the Texans' fortunes after a 1-4 start to the campaign? Only time will tell.

Conversely, the Denver Broncos subtracted two of their best defenders Thursday and still found a way to shut down Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Seattle Seahawks offense.

As the weekend progresses, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Brent Sobleski, Kris Knox, and Moe Moton will follow all of the action and then break down each contest, provide takeaways and ask the most pressing questions.

Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Broncos 17, Seahawks 14

How Do the Denver Broncos Offset Slow Starts?

The Broncos have been notoriously slow starters since the 2025 campaign began. It continued to be an issue this season, which is why Sean Payton stripped offensive coordinator Davis Webb of play-calling duties and the head coach took over the job once again.

However, Thursday's approach was different.

The Broncos weren't marching down the field. However, Denver employed a strong ball-control approach by leaning on the run game. Then, Payton asked Bo Nix to get the ball out quickly when the quarterback did drop to pass. Nix even took a few shots down the field in an attempt to stretch the defense, though those passes didn't connect.

As The Mandalorian says, "This is the way."

Ultimately, Denver built a 14-3 halftime. In an ironic twist, the unit and team, as a whole, struggled during the second half before winning in overtime.

QB Bo Nix Remains a Problem

The Bo Nix that everyone continues to watch this season is not the same player as last year. Yes, Payton did a better job manufacturing a little offense to start the game. But the unit still wasn't particularly good from a macro perspective.

Denver won Thursday despite generating only 168 yards of offense. As Sumer Sports' Shawn Syed noted, the Broncos' victory came without Nix completing a pass over 10 air yards. An aggressive and opportunistic defense led the way.

Payton can devise an improved game plan and place his squad in a better position to succeed, but, eventually, Nix must take onus of his position and perform at a higher level. Otherwise, this Broncos team won't be able to match up against the AFC's best.

Is Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold Part of the Problem?

It's weird to question a Super-Bowl winning quarterback just six games after he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Even so, Darnold was a primary reason why the Seahawks lost Thursday. He simply hasn't played well since returning from injury.

Darnold threw two critical interceptions. One occurred in the fourth quarter and the other came in overtime. The latter was particularly devastating, because it led to the Bronco's game-winning field goal. The first was a little late and left inside during an over pattern that the defensive back undercut. The second was far more egregious since Denver's safety had shell coverage over the top and Darnold attempted a hole shot that had no chance.

Granted, Denver harassed and assaulted Darnold all night long, amassing 17 quarterback hits. At the same time, the Seahawks quarterback made debilitating mistakes at critical moments. He's now thrown two interceptions in three of Seattle's last four games.

Seahawks Must Feature Rashid Shaheed

Jaxon Smith-Njigba may be the most NFL's most productive wide receiver, but he could use a little help. Shaheed is the perfect complementary option because of the 28-year-old's explosive traits.

Shaheed is more than a special teams ace and offensive gadget contributor. He can be a legitimate WR2 on Seattle's roster, as evidenced Thursday with five catches for 66 yards. Both figures were season-highs.

Cooper Kupp isn't the wide receiver he once was. Tory Horton has yet to prove he can be a reliable option. Shaheed is the logical choice to be the Seahawks' primary option after Smith-Njigba, thus taking some pressure off the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Sunday Slate

AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Baltimore Ravens hope Lamar Jackson can play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Divisional rivalries take center stage Sunday, starting with the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Half of this weekend's slate is built around rivals facing one another, and its a make-or-break scenario for at least one of the squads in each of those contests.

The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns vie to be the AFC North's top team. The Titans Titans want to finally notch a victory, while the Indianapolis Colts desperately need a win to regain .500 status. The New York Jets can get into the AFC East by beating the New England Patriots. The Los Angeles Rams try to get back on track against the Arizona Cardinals after a devasting overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Los Angeles Chargers want to show their season isn't over while facing the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (9:30 am)

Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons (1 pm)

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (1 pm)

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (1 pm)

New England Jets at New England Patriots (1 pm)

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants (1 pm)

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (1 pm)

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 pm)

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (4:05 pm)

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 pm)

Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 pm)

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (8:20 pm)

Monday Night Football: Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans

Don't make San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans angry. Opponents don't like him when he's angry.

Evans played through broken ribs against the Seattle Seahawks and dominated, even against Mike Macdonald's outstanding secondary.

"I think it pissed him off, honestly," long-time friend Terran Petteway told The Athletic's Matt Barrows. "And when that happens, it's a totally different Mike, a totally different beast. Once that Mike comes into play, it's game over."

Now, Evans and the Niners face the Washington Commanders, who field a bottom 10 pass defense. Plus, Dan Quinn's squad is coming off a heart-wrenching loss that was the direct result from a lack of situational awareness. Now, the Commanders get to face arguably the NFL's best team.