NFL Week 6: Everything You Need to Know for Sunday's Games
Week 6 of the 2015 NFL season is already upon us, and it seems like the league hierarchy is finally beginning to sort itself out. Of course, there are always going to be a few surprises.
Such was the case on Thursday night, when the downtrodden New Orleans Saints managed to knock the Atlanta Falcons from the ranks of the unbeaten. This was an NFC South rivalry game, of course, but few could have predicted the outcome.
With Atlanta now in the loss column, five teams—the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots—remain undefeated. This means that five of the 12 games to be played on Sunday will feature a team trying to stay perfect.
What other storylines will be worth following on the sixth Sunday of the season? Let's find out.
Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's games.
Biggest Questions
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How Long Can Andy Dalton Keep This Up?
The Bengals remain one of the league's undefeated teams thanks in large part to quarterback Andy Dalton, who is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate. The redheaded rocket launcher has passed for 1,518 yards, has completed 67.5 percent of his passes and has scored a total of 13 touchdowns.
He has also limited his turnovers to just three over five weeks.
If opposing teams cannot find a way to slow Dalton, wins against the Bengals are going to be hard to come by. The next team up to try its luck is the Buffalo Bills.
This is actually an intriguing matchup because the Bills are playing at home and have a stout pass defense. Pro Football Focus rates them sixth overall in pass coverage.
Will Home-Field Advantage Help the Seahawks Save Their Season?
The defending NFC champion Seahawks are reeling at 2-3 and are sitting in third place in the NFC West. A loss to the undefeated Panthers could be enough to doom their 2015 campaign.
The good news is that the Seahawks are playing this game at CenturyLink Field, where Seattle hasn't lost since Week 6 of last season. The last time the Panthers came to CenturyLink—in the divisional round of the 2014 playoffs—the Seahawks won 31-17.
The Panthers are riding a lot of momentum and will be playing to stay atop the NFC South standings, so they have a lot at stake in this game. However, there is even more pressure on the Seahawks, who could fall as far as three games back in their division with a loss.
How Will the Dolphins Respond Under Interim Coach Dan Campbell?
The Miami Dolphins are another team that has gotten off to a disappointing start. However, their 1-3 record was disastrous enough to result in the firing of head coach Joe Philbin.
Philbin has since been replaced by tight ends coach Dan Campbell, who will lead the team out of the bye week with a thirst for redemption. Miami can get to 2-3 and potentially save its season with a win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
To do so, the Dolphins will have to play with more heart and efficiency than they did in the first month under Philbin.
Miami's roster boasts a ton of talent, so that shouldn't be the question. In fact, the talent is good enough that an offseason Harvard study predicted the Dolphins would be the third-strongest team in the NFL this season.
If Miami can come out slinging, it can likely get back in the AFC playoff race.
Game of the Day
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Who: New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: NBC
Though it has recently been a bit one-sided, the Patriots-Colts rivalry dates back to the early days of both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Stanford product Andrew Luck has since taken over the mantle in Indianapolis, but this remains one of the better rivalries in the AFC—especially since the Colts and the Patriots have been playoff teams in each of the past three seasons. The rivalry will continue Sunday night.
On paper, this looks like another mismatch that favors the 4-0 Patriots, who have looked virtually unstoppable on offense. The 3-2 Colts haven't looked nearly as good as initially advertised and may again be without Luck under center. However, they are riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak and will boast home-field advantage.
Indianapolis will also look to exact a little revenge for the 45-7 shellacking the Patriots administered the last time these two teams met, in the 2014 AFC title game. When you toss in the fact that meeting also sparked the now-infamous deflated-football scandal, this game becomes must-watch television.
"Unless Indianapolis does something to stop him, New England is going to try to put 100 on the scoreboard," an unnamed defensive coach recently told ESPN Insider Matt Bowen.
Expect this to be one of the most personal and hardest-hitting contests of the weekend.
Honorable Mention: Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
Though the Patriots vs. Colts game is spotlight material, the marquee NFC matchup may actually provide a better football game.
Like the Patriots, the Panthers are unbeaten and looking to keep their perfect record intact. However, they will try to do so on the road against a desperate 2-3 Seahawks team that is trying to save its season.
The action here kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox.
Stats of the Week
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The number of turnovers forced by the New York Jets this season. Their next opponents, the Washington Redskins, have given away the football nine times. This could be one of the bigger mismatches of the weekend.
The average number of scrimmage yards Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles produced per game over the first five weeks of the season. Charles is now out for the year with a torn ACL.
Consecutive wins the Detroit Lions have over the Chicago Bears. If the Lions can continue the trend on Sunday, they'll notch their first win of the season.
The average number of rushing yards the Denver Broncos have produced per game in 2015. Denver will have a prime opportunity to turn things around Sunday against the Cleveland Browns and their 31st-ranked run defense (149.4 yards per game allowed).
The number of points surrendered by the Colts defense in two games against the Patriots last season. If the Colts want to have a chance to turn the tide in this rivalry, the defense will surely have to stiffen.
The number of yards Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer has passed for in the past two games, to go with four touchdowns. Hoyer didn't start either contest. He will start Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and their 21st-ranked pass defense (260.0 yards per game allowed).
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Who Is Favored?
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Here are the odds for Sunday's games, via Odds Shark:
| Game Time (ET) | Away Team | Home Team | Favorite |
| 1 p.m. | Cincinnati | Buffalo | Cincinnati -3 |
| 1 p.m. | Denver | Cleveland | Denver -3 |
| 1 p.m. | Chicago | Detroit | Detroit -3 |
| 1 p.m. | Houston | Jacksonville | Even |
| 1 p.m. | Kansas City | Minnesota | Minnesota -3.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Washington | New York Jets | Jets -7.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Arizona | Pittsburgh | Arizona -3.5 |
| 1 p.m. | Miami | Tennessee | Even |
| 4:05 p.m. | Carolina | Seattle | Seattle -7.5 |
| 4:25 p.m. | San Diego | Green Bay | Green Bay -11.5 |
| 4:25 p.m. | Baltimore | San Francisco | Even |
| 8:30 p.m. | New England | Indianapolis | New England -10 |
Matchups to Watch
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Aaron Rodgers vs. Philip Rivers
OK, so we all know that Rodgers and Rivers aren't going to literally go toe-to-toe on Sunday. However, the Packers-Chargers tilt is likely to produce one of those quarterback duels that are just too good to pass up.
Rodgers ranks third in the NFL in terms of passer rating (117.4), while Rivers ranks seventh (103.9). The two quarterbacks have combined for 2,849 passing yards and 23 touchdowns so far this season with just seven interceptions.
Expect to see plenty of passing at Lambeau.
Jaguars Offensive Line vs. J.J. Watt
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt hasn't been quite as good as a pass-rusher as last year (he has just 4.0 sacks in five games), but he will have an opportunity to get back on track Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars are rated just 24th in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus, and quarterback Blake Bortles has been sacked 14 times in five games. However, the Texans defense (ranked 24th, allowing 27.0 points per game) is lacking in the efficiency department.
If the Jaguars can keep Watt at bay, they will have an opportunity to put points on the board and fight for a much-needed home win. If Watt dominates, this one could get ugly.
* Update: According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Watt is now listed as questionable with an illness.
Browns Offensive Line vs. Broncos Pass Rush
You might not think it because of the overall struggles of the team, but Cleveland's offensive line is again looking like a top-tier unit—at least in terms of pass protection. The Browns are rated first overall in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus.
Cleveland's challenge this week is the Denver Broncos, who have the league's best pass rush, according to Pro Football Focus. This will be a fun one to watch.
Le'Veon Bell vs. Cardinals Run Defense
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Michael Vick made enough plays to come away with a win last week, but since Ben Roethlisberger was injured, it's really been all about running back Le'Veon Bell. Pro Football Focus ranks him second overall among running backs.
Bell has averaged more than 130 combined rushing and receiving yards per game since returning from suspension. He has also scored once in each of his three contests. On Sunday, he will face the Arizona Cardinals and their 11th-ranked run defense (97.2 yards per game allowed).
The Steelers will be playing at home and with an opportunity to get to 4-2 and possibly get Roethlisberger back in a week. Finding a way to control the tempo and move the ball on the ground has to be the key to Pittsburgh's offensive game plan.
Injury Report
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Each week, we'll look at the most notable injuries for Sunday's games.
Nate Solder, OT, New England Patriots (IR)
The Patriots have placed left tackle Nate Solder on long-term injured reserve with a torn biceps. While his loss might not be a huge issue against the Colts defense (just six sacks this season), it will probably come into play at some point.
According to head coach Bill Belichick, the team will look for an in-house replacement.
“We have guys in this building that we feel like will be able to take care of the situation,” Belichick recently said, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. “We’ll figure out what we feel is the best option before game time and be ready to go.”
Jadeveon Clowney, LB, Houston Texans (out)
According to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com, Texans pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney will miss Sunday's game against the Jaguars with an ankle sprain. This means that J.J. Watt will be primarily responsible for Houston's pass rush.
I'm pretty sure Watt is fine with that.
DeMarcus Ware, LB, Denver Broncos (out)
According to the Broncos' injury report, pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware will miss Sunday's game against the Browns with a back injury. Offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo (shoulder) has also been ruled out.
Joe Haden, CB, Cleveland Browns (out)
According to NFL.com, the Browns have ruled out Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden with a concussion. Linebacker Craig Robertson (ankle) and safety Tashaun Gipson (ankle) are also out.
Gipson was a Pro Bowler a year ago as well. With him and Haden out, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (passer rating of 77.3) may have an opportunity for a bounce-back game on Sunday.
Multiple Players, Washington Redskins (out)
According to NFL.com, Washington will be without center Kory Lichtensteiger (shoulder, finger), tight end Jordan Reed (concussion), left tackle Trent Williams (neck), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (toe) and cornerback Chris Culliver (knee) on Sunday against the New York Jets.
This is obviously a lot to overcome against a 3-1 Jets team that is looking more and more like a potential playoff contender.
* Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that wide receiver DeSean Jackson has been downgraded and will join the list of players ruled out.
Ryan Shazier, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers (out)
According to Pittsburgh's injury report, second-year linebacker Ryan Shazier will miss Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a shoulder injury. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and safety Will Allen (ankle) have also been ruled out.
Steve Smith Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens (questionable)
Smith is officially listed as questionable with the back injury he suffered two weeks ago against the Steelers. However, he has stated that his expectation of playing "is very low."
The Ravens have ruled out defensive lineman Chris Canty (calf) and wide receiver Darren Waller (concussion).
Expert Predictions
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Each week, we'll take a look at picks and predictions from some of the top Bleacher Report NFL writers. We'll also spotlight the experts' results on a week-to-week basis.
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