Man, the 2025 season has been a total fever dream so far. Just when you think you’ve got the hierarchy figured out, the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles both drop games in the same afternoon, leaving us with a league that’s basically a massive game of musical chairs. Heading into nfl games week 6, we don't have a single undefeated team left. That's the fastest we've seen the "perfect" teams crumble in years.
Honestly, it makes the Week 6 slate feel less like a mid-October grind and more like a massive fork in the road for half the league. We’ve got rookie QBs finally hitting the "rookie wall," established stars like Lamar Jackson battling hamstring issues, and a London game that, on paper, looks like a total mismatch but carries some weirdly high stakes for the AFC West.
The London Factor: Why Broncos vs. Jets Matters More Than You Think
Everyone loves to joke about the "London special," but the Denver Broncos heading across the pond to face the winless New York Jets is actually fascinating. Denver is currently riding a two-game heater, including a massive upset over Philly. Bo Nix is starting to look like he actually belongs, mostly because Sean Payton is calling games like it’s 2011 again.
The Jets, though? They’re the last winless team in the NFL at 0-5. Justin Fields is under center for them, and while he can pull a rabbit out of a hat with his legs, that offense is sputtering. If Denver wins this, they’re legitimately in the AFC West race with the Chiefs and Chargers.
Sunday morning football (9:30 AM ET) is usually for the die-hards, but keep an eye on this one. If the Jets fall to 0-6 in London, we might see the kind of mid-season "total rebuild" talk that usually waits until December.
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Sunday Afternoon Chaos: Rivalries and Mismatches
Most people are circling the Eagles vs. Giants on Thursday night as the game to watch, and yeah, Saquon Barkley playing his old team in New Jersey is great drama. But the real meat of nfl games week 6 is on Sunday.
Take the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Baltimore Ravens. This is a nightmare matchup for Baltimore. The Ravens' defense is currently ranked second-to-last in the league. Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua are likely licking their chops because Baltimore's secondary has been giving up over 270 passing yards per game. To make matters worse, Lamar Jackson is dealing with a hamstring injury. If he’s not 100%, the Ravens could easily drop to 1-5. It’s wild to think a team this talented could be that deep in a hole by mid-October.
Then you’ve got the NFC South showdown. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 4-1 and Baker Mayfield is playing like he’s got a personal vendetta against every defensive coordinator in the league. They’re facing the San Francisco 49ers, who are surprisingly inconsistent right now. Most experts have the Bucs as 3.5-point favorites, which would have sounded like a typo back in August.
Other Key Sunday Matchups:
- Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are heavy home favorites (-9.5). Anthony Richardson is healthy and the Cardinals' defense is, well, not great.
- Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers: A classic AFC North rock fight. The Steelers are 3-1 and their defense is still terrifying, while Cleveland is struggling to find any offensive identity.
- Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers: The Bengals are 2-3 and looking rough since losing Joe Burrow. Facing Jordan Love at Lambeau after a Packers bye week is a tall order.
The Lions-Chiefs Primetime Collision
Sunday Night Football is the crown jewel of the week. The Detroit Lions just leapfrogged everyone to take the #1 spot in the Power Rankings. They’re 4-1 and Dan Campbell has them playing like they’re trying to physically remove their opponents from the field.
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They’re heading into Arrowhead to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, the Chiefs haven't been perfect—they're 2-3—but Patrick Mahomes in primetime is still the scariest thing in sports. The Lions' defense looked a bit shaky in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati last week, and Mahomes is exactly the kind of guy who will exploit those lapses in discipline.
The line is tight, with the Chiefs favored by just 2.5 points. If Detroit wins this, they aren't just NFC favorites; they’re the team to beat in the entire league.
Monday Night Doubleheader: The Rookie Duel
The NFL is giving us two games on Monday night again. The Buffalo Bills visit the Atlanta Falcons at 7:15 PM ET, which is a massive "get right" game for Josh Allen after that ugly loss to New England.
But the real intrigue is Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders at 8:15 PM ET.
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This is the Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels duel. Both teams are sitting at 2-2 (Washington is 3-2 according to some sources, but let's call it a tight race). The Bears are coming off a bye, which usually helps a rookie QB reset. Washington's defense has been surprisingly plucky under Dan Quinn. Most people are picking the Commanders here (-4.5), but Williams has shown flashes of that "it" factor that could keep Chicago in it.
Making Sense of the Betting Lines
If you're looking at the board for nfl games week 6, there are some weird numbers popping up.
- Packers -14 vs. Bengals: That is a massive spread for a pro game. It shows you exactly how much faith Vegas has in the Bengals without Burrow.
- Patriots -3.5 at Saints: New England is 3-2 and Drake Maye is actually moving the needle. The Saints are 1-4 and looking like a team that needs a hard reset.
- Cowboys -3 at Panthers: Dallas is a bit of a mess defensively, but Dak Prescott is still playing at an MVP level. Carolina's defense is improving, but can they stop CeeDee Lamb? (Actually, Lamb is likely out with a high ankle sprain, which explains why this line is so thin).
Actionable Insights for Week 6
If you’re following these games, don’t just look at the win-loss columns. The 2025 season is being defined by EPA (Expected Points Added) and defensive success rates.
- Watch the "Slot" Matchups: The Ravens are giving up a +8.1 fantasy point boost to slot receivers. If you're playing fantasy or betting props, Puka Nacua is the guy to watch.
- Monitor the London Jet-Lag: Historically, teams struggle the week after London, but this year the NFL is getting better at scheduling byes. The Vikings and Texans are the only teams on bye this week, so everyone else is grinding through.
- The "Post-Bye" Bounce: The Bears are coming off their Week 5 bye. Teams with rookie QBs often show their biggest improvement right after that first break.
- Check the Injury Report Late: With guys like CeeDee Lamb, Lamar Jackson, and Malik Nabers all "questionable" or likely out, these lines will move fast on Saturday night.
The parity in the league right now is at an all-time high. Enjoy the chaos of Week 6, because by Tuesday morning, the playoff picture is going to look completely different once again.
Next Steps:
- Verify the latest injury reports specifically for the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, as key starters are currently sidelined.
- Check the London weather forecast for Sunday morning, as rain often plays a massive role in the ground game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- Set your fantasy lineups by Thursday night to account for the Eagles-Giants rivalry game.