NFL Week 6 Takeaways: What We Learned Sunday
Week 6 brought a variety of surprising outcomes with it to the betting world. Here are some of our biggest takeaways.
Prop Bet Analyzer: View top rated props and historical prop performance by player >>
Atlanta Falcons 28 – San Francisco 49ers 14
Dirty Birds
The 49ers were handicapped by a crippled defense and their own offense’s inability to score. These were the fewest points that Atlanta has surrendered all season. The team’s success in stalling the 49ers’ rushing attack was unexpected by a unit that had previously ranked 31st in EPA/Play defending the run.
Additionally, the Falcons’ unique offense has continued to be disorienting to their opposition. The team’s aversion to manufacturing plays for its young pass-catchers is frustrating. Still, Arthur Smith coaches to the Falcons’ strengths, and the team will likely flirt with a playoff spot in an NFC with few legitimate contenders.
New England Patriots 38 – Cleveland Browns 15
Never Count Out NE
The Cleveland Browns were the worst version of themselves, and the Patriots’ coaching staff deserves the credit. New England has strung together consecutive victories with third-string QB Bailey Zappe under center, and any pessimism regarding the offensive staff is no longer warranted.
The process was in question, but the results could not be. The Pats were teetering with a lost season and now are firmly in the AFC playoff hunt.
New York Jets 27 – Green Bay Packers 10
A Ceiling in Green Bay
There is no dome at Lambeau, but the team has a ceiling. Green Bay’s offense has clear limitations, and any goodwill afforded to the Packers is now gone. The team’s reputation far exceeds its abilities, and it is clear that they are sorely missing the presence of All-Pro WR Davante Adams.
Consequently, few expected the Jets to have had such a strong start to the season. There is clear young talent on this Jets roster, and a 4-2 start is a welcome indicator of a promising future for this core.
Indianapolis Colts 34 – Jacksonville Jaguars 27
Stunning Victory
The Colts slugged their way to a fortunate 2-2-1 start, and optimism surrounding the team had all but dissipated. The decision to acquire veteran quarterback Matt Ryan appeared to be a misstep, and chatter regarding a bleak future for HC Frank Reich had begun. Such circumstances make this performance versus Jacksonville that much more stunning.
QB Matt Ryan was near perfect, and this was easily his best game of the young season. Indy was able to protect the former MVP, and a vision of a competitive 2022 Colts team was not so farfetched. Conversely, the Jaguars continue to reel following their hot start to the season. The team has shown its inexperience in the past three weeks, and a discussion surrounding the Jags’ inability to close-out games should be had. Regardless, such inexperience on the roster has shown potential, and Jacksonville surely has its franchise QB in Trevor Lawrence.
Minnesota Vikings 24 – Miami Dolphins 16
Musical Chairs
For the third straight game, the Dolphins starting QB was sidelined due to injury, and Miami lost in an uninspiring fashion. The fall from their 3-0 start has been precipitous, but it may not be unsalvageable. It is worth holding on hope for this Dolphins team, and a steadied return by QB Tua Tagovailoa may remedy the team’s downfall.
As to the Vikings, this was a game that they were supposed to win, and sloppily doing so will not silence the team’s skeptics. Minnesota wishes to be considered among the NFC’s elite. While their record may indicate such a place in the hierarchy, marginal victories versus lesser competition will not vault them into that category.
Cincinnati Bengals 30 – New Orleans Saints 26
Who Dey / Who Dat
The Bengals’ fourth-quarter comeback should not halt conversations regarding Cincinnati’s continued ineptitude. This was undoubtedly Cincinnati’s best offensive performance of the young season. Even on this day, it took the heroics of WR Ja’Marr Chase to subvert a disappointing loss to an injury-ridden Saints team.
The Bengals are failing to manufacture touches for their best playmakers, and their defensive struggles on this day were confounding. Cincinnati is fortunate that New Orleans consistently stalled in the red zone. The Saints were clearly the better team in this contest.
New York Giants 24 – Baltimore Ravens 20
Four Quarters Loss
The Ravens blew yet another fourth-quarter lead, and the onus of this loss falls squarely on QB Lamar Jackson’s shoulders. The veteran QB cannot continue to be prone to errand turnovers if Baltimore is to be a legitimate threat in the AFC. Additionally, the current makeup of the Ravens almost necessitates that the team plays with the lead. It is frustrating that even with such circumstances, they have been unable to finish off lesser opponents. Here’s hoping the return of WR Rashod Bateman can ignite the Baltimore passing game, but there is a reason for skepticism.
Conversely, the Giants are 5-1 and have a favorable schedule moving forward. They will be considered a force in the NFC, and deservedly so.
Pittsburgh Steelers 20 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 18
How Old is Tom Brady
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense stunk in Week 6, and it has all season. The team struggled all day versus a Pittsburgh team devoid of their best defensive players, and the reputation of the Tampa offense can no longer justify such large spreads.
Similarly to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, any goodwill afforded to the Buccaneers based on the reputation of their QB cannot still be justified. Until further notice, it would be wise to fade the Buccaneers. This was an embarrassing loss.
Los Angeles Rams 24 – Carolina Panthers 10
Get Right Game
The more things change, the more they stay the same, and the decision to fire HC Matt Rhule did little to change the tempo for the Carolina Panthers. The team’s own offense was once again its Achilles heel, and it struggled to find any answers other than the Christian McCaffrey button.
Conversely, the Rams needed this win in every way. The reigning champs have limped their way to a 3-3 start, and here’s hoping the bye week can help remedy their injury woes and early-season offensive struggles.
Seattle Seahawks 19 – Arizona Cardinals 9
Wasting Away in the Desert
The return of WR DeAndre Hopkins has been promised as an answer to Arizona’s offensive woes, but his presence surely cannot solve a fundamentally broken offense. The Cardinals consistently stalled in Seattle territory, and HC/ Play-caller Kliff Kingsbury deserves much of the blame. Arizona continually fails to scheme easy offense versus the lesser competition, and relying on QB Kyler Murray’s ad-lib abilities is frustrating.
Kyler has his faults, but his limitations are not hindering this offense. This performance versus one of the NFL’s worst defenses is laughable.
Buffalo Bills 24 – Kansas City Chiefs 20
GOTW
It was a tempered offensive output, but the game of the week did not disappoint. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are comfortably the two best players in the game, and this very well may be the greatest rivalry in modern sports.
Buffalo has built their roster with the intent of beating Kansas City in the postseason, and intentional additions such as edge-rusher Von Miller proved their worth this afternoon. This victory is a welcome indication that the team’s maneuvers will help them supplant KC when it matters most.
Conversely, the Chiefs should not be deflated following this loss. KC was not thoroughly outplayed and will likely be healthier if these teams meet again in the postseason.
Philadelphia Eagles 26 – Dallas Cowboys 17
Cooper Rush < Dak Prescott
Even when it isn’t great, the Eagles’ offense is really good. The team has a really strong sense of what they are good at and has leaned into these strengths en route to a 6-0 start. If one were to critique Philadelphia, one may cite that the team has demonstrated a pattern of shifting into neutral with a big lead. Habitually leaving the backdoor open to the inferior competition may eventually burn the birds, but the Eagles are in the driver’s seat in the NFC for the time being.
Regarding Dallas, the conversation surrounding QB Cooper Rush’s prospects as the team’s full-time starter was put to rest Sunday night. Clearly, the backup QB handicaps the Cowboys and doesn’t possess the playmaking ability necessary to elevate above teams of greater stature.
Prop Bet Analyzer: View top-rated props and historical prop performance by player >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you're new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section - including How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Sports Betting Mistakes - or head to a more advanced strategy - like Thinking Like an Expert Sports Bettor - to learn more.