We are headed into Week 6 of the 2021 NFL season. Bye weeks are beginning, as some teams will have the week off. Several matchups on this week’s slate look promising; a few teams with playoff aspirations entering the season have important games ahead. Here is a look at the key points for each game and what Week 6 has in store.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles
The week starts with this NFC matchup. The Buccaneers enter on a two-game winning streak, and looked very impressive a week ago. The Eagles are coming off a crucial win on the road to keep themselves in it. Tampa Bay is the more talented team on both sides of the football, it will be interesting to see their offensive line against the Eagles’ talented defensive line. It could lead to a big game for Tom Brady and all of the Buccaneers’ pass catchers. Philadelphia will need big games from Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith if they want a chance. In the end, the Buccaneers will win by a touchdown.
Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars
There is another international game that kicks off early Sunday morning. Both of these teams have had struggles to this point. With the Dolphins, it is somewhat of a surprise. In this game, they will need their defense to make key plays against Trevor Lawrence and will have to find a way to contain James Robinson. The Jaguars’ defense has an opportunity here to make an impact on this game themselves despite some struggles. This game will likely be a close one that the Dolphins win.
Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Football Team
This is a big game for both of these 2-3 teams who entered the season with big expectations. Each of these defenses has struggled greatly. For the Chiefs, they will need Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Travis Kelce to all be at their best to win this one. Without Clyde Edwards-Helaire, they may not attain much success running the football. How their revamped and improved offensive line executes against the dominant defensive line Washington has will be key in this one. For Washington, expect big performances from Taylor Heinicke, Antonio Gibson, and Terry McLaurin as it will be needed. In the end, expect a lot of points and ultimately the Chiefs will win by one score.
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants
The Rams got an important bounce-back win and head into this game with extra rest. The Giants lost a tough one last week and are in a tough spot at 1-4. The status of Daniel Jones is key for the Giants to have a chance. He has played some very impressive football this season. Kadarius Toney has been outstanding the last two games. It will be fun to see him against Jalen Ramsey when they are matched up. The Rams’ talented front led by Aaron Donald will need to make an impact. For the Rams offense, expect the same level of play from Matthew Stafford, Darrell Henderson, Cooper Kupp, and Robert Woods. There could be a lot of scoring in this one. The Rams will win by one score.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Both of these NFC South teams enter this one at 1-4. The Colts are coming off a crushing loss. Over the last two weeks, they have looked much better. They need this one in a big way. It will be important for them to get a lead at home early and rely on Jonathan Taylor the entire game. The Texans let up a big home lead last week. It will be interesting to see how Davis Mills plays in this division matchup. The Colts will win by at least 10.
Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions
Each of these teams lost tough games a week ago on field goals. The Bengals to this point have shown some very encouraging things. They should have another productive game offensively led by their great talent in Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and Tee Higgins. Their defense has done a good job this season with some new players. For the Lions, Jared Goff has played good football for the most part this year. They will need D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams to keep up their play. The Bengals will win this one by a score.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
These NFC North division rivals both enter this one on winning streaks. The Packers had a thrilling win a week ago picking up their fourth in a row. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have been playing at their usual level dominating. Randall Cobb has given some key contributions the last two weeks as well. Expect Aaron Jones to get a heavy workload in this one. For the Bears, they should attain some success offensively led by Justin Fields. Hopefully, they can get good contributions from both Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. This will be a one score game the Packers win.
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens
This is arguably the best game of Week 6. Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson are two of the best quarterbacks in football right now and both very young. Each had special performances a week ago. For the Chargers, they have gotten great production from their talented skill players in Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams who is having by far his best year. It will be fun to see two first-round rookies Rashawn Slater and Odafe Oweh when they are matched up. The Ravens have gotten great production from Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews. Their defense could struggle in this one. It will be a great game the Chargers win by a field goal.
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
This is a fascinating matchup between two NFC teams trying to prove who they are. The Vikings are coming off a huge win. The Panthers have lost two in a row and were disappointing last week. Kirk Cousins has been having a great year for the Vikings leading their offense. If they get Dalvin Cook back for this one it would be great. If not, they will be fine with Alexander Mattison who has stepped up and been tremendous. For the Panthers, they could be getting Christian McCaffrey back. They need Sam Darnold to step up in this key game. This game will be a close one the Vikings win by about a field goal.
Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns
Along with the Chargers and Ravens matchup, this is arguably the best game of Week 6. The Cardinals have the best record in the NFL right now at 5-0. The Browns are 3-2, their two losses have been on the road at the wire against the Chiefs and Chargers. Seeing the Cardinals’ offense compete against the Browns’ defense should be intriguing. Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and Rondale Moore have been sensational. Aside from their performance last week, the Browns revamped defense has made a big difference. Offensively, the Browns will need a big game from Baker Mayfield to win. Their offensive line against the Cardinals front led by J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones will be fun. The Browns will win by about a field goal.
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
After 3-0 starts for both of these teams, they have lost their last two. The Raiders need their offense to pick it up from the start of this one to have a chance. Getting a big game from Josh Jacobs would help big time. The Broncos’ talented defense could bounce back in this game and ultimately win it. Offensively, they should rely on Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams to control the game. The Broncos will win this game by a touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots
The Cowboys enter this one as winners of four straight. They have played great complementary football. They are led by tons of elite caliber players in Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs to name a few. For the Patriots, they did not play such impressive ball against the Texans a week ago. It will be fascinating to see how Mac Jones executes against this talented Cowboys defense. The Cowboys will win by a touchdown.
Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers
These two teams enter at 2-3. The Seahawks will be without Russell Wilson for the next six weeks or so. Geno Smith will be the starter. He looked impressive when he filled in a week ago but will need the best from Chris Carson, D.K. Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett. The Steelers’ offense should have a big game against a bad Seahawks defense. Expect impact plays from Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool. The Steelers win this one by about a touchdown.
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans
The Bills enter this game with four straight wins and a very impressive one on the road against the Chiefs. The Titans are 3-2 and have played some inconsistent football. The Bills’ defense has played great across the board. Ultimately, slowing down Derrick Henry in this one would go a long way for them. Anticipate a big game from the Bills’ offense led by Josh Allen who is playing great. Dawson Knox has been much improved and it has helped the Bills a ton. Expect big games from Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley in this one. The Bills will win by a touchdown.
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