NFL Week 6 newest buzz, questions, information and fantasy ideas

We’re cruising into Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season, and insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources across the league for the newest information and buzz on key conditions.

This week, they bought the heart beat of the Raiders after Geno Smith had one other iffy sport. He is now as much as 9 interceptions on the season and hasn’t delivered on the promise of Las Vegas’ offseason commerce. Is the franchise involved? On the flip aspect, Daniel Jones has wildly exceeded expectations in Indianapolis. However do folks across the league assume the Colts quarterback can maintain his early-season success?

Jeremy and Dan additionally break down what they’re listening to on gamers who might get contract extensions over the following few months and coordinators who’re placing themselves in place to get head teaching job interviews within the offseason. It is all right here, as our nationwide reporters reply large questions and empty their notebooks heading into Week 6.

Be aware: New updates are on the backside, as of 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Leap to:
Rising Smith concern | Perception in Jones
Extension candidates | Rising coordinators
Extra notes for Week 6

Are the Raiders anxious about Geno Smith’s begin to the season?

Fowler: I might classify it as mildly involved. The Raiders know Smith has to play higher — and shortly — however there isn’t any sentiment that Smith is a damaged quarterback. So I am not anticipating him to get benched or something this week. Scouts I’ve talked to consider Smith has been too late with the ball this season and is counting on arm expertise to pressure throws into tight home windows. On the flip aspect, the Raiders had been with out their prime two tight ends (Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer) and left sort out Kolton Miller on Sunday towards Indianapolis. And the receiver depth will not be nice general.

Additionally, his two picks towards the Colts weren’t blatantly dangerous choices. The Colts appeared offsides on considered one of them, leading to a batted go, and Smith stated he threw to a spot the place a receiver was supposed to sit down towards Cowl 2 protection on the opposite. The scenario is clearly not good, however as was identified to me by somebody with the staff, Raiders coach Pete Carroll and Smith have sufficient sweat fairness collectively from their Seattle days that Carroll might follow him a bit of longer consequently.

Graziano: If the season spirals down the drain, might the Raiders take a look at Kenny Pickett? Presumably. That is what the Browns had been making an attempt to do earlier than they drafted two quarterbacks and Pickett bought harm in camp earlier than touchdown in Las Vegas on a commerce. However for now, it sounds just like the Raiders will experience it out with Smith. What I am listening to from loads from folks across the league is that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s scheme is not creating sufficient benefits to beat the Raiders’ personnel deficiencies, and there isn’t any margin for error if Smith retains turning the ball over as a lot as he has.

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Fowler: The Raiders are working in a bizarre area between rebuilding and making an attempt to win now, and people two worlds seem in battle. New basic supervisor John Spytek took over a poor roster and believes in constructing by means of the draft. That takes time. However 74-year-old Carroll was basically a win-now rent. He does not have the personnel to try this in 12 months 1 of this regime. The roster is missing premier gamers — save for Bowers and edge rusher Maxx Crosby — notably on protection.

Smith was a wise offseason quarterback acquisition for a staff with scarce choices within the draft. However he is quarterbacking a squad which may not be able to win for an additional two seasons.

Graziano: What’s attention-grabbing to me is that the contract Smith signed with the Raiders after the commerce does not actually tie them to him past this 12 months. He has an $18.5 million wage assure for 2026, after making $40 million this 12 months. If the Raiders reduce him after this season, they’d have paid him $58.5 million for one (presumably disappointing) 12 months. That is loads, however as Jeremy stated, this staff needs to win quickly. If absorbing $18.5 million in lifeless cash subsequent 12 months to maneuver on helps them try this, I doubt it might stand within the Raiders’ approach.

What are folks across the league saying about Daniel Jones’ scorching begin? Are they believers?

Graziano: Most individuals I discuss to consider Jones can proceed to achieve Shane Steichen’s system if he stays wholesome. He had turnover issues early in his profession, however much less so in later seasons with the Giants. And with RB Jonathan Taylor working the way in which he is working, a robust offensive line in entrance of him and Jones’ personal capacity to create performs together with his legs, there appears to be a perception that the infrastructure round Jones is strong sufficient to maintain — once more, assuming he stays wholesome. It does really feel a bit of bit just like the 2022 Giants season after they went to the playoffs with Saquon Barkley working wild and Jones gutting out powerful, low-scoring wins. Besides the Colts aren’t a low-scoring staff!

Fowler: Dan, the folks I’ve talked to about Jones are shopping for the hype, although with slight apprehension. What’s turning into clear with these reclamation QBs is that perception and confidence are highly effective. Steichen is a talented playcaller with a deft quarterback contact who occurs to consider wholeheartedly in Jones as a participant and particular person. That carries quite a lot of weight and has helped Jones rebound.

In New York, Jones was affected by overthinking. He is taking part in extra freely now. The Colts have helped him enhance his footwork. And let’s be trustworthy, he is taking part in behind top-of-the-line offensive line-tailback mixtures within the league. That is an enormous assist to any quarterback. I do know the Vikings had been bummed to lose Jones — who has excellent dimension and a ton of instruments — within the offseason after his quick stint there.

Graziano: Sure, the way in which the Vikings’ season has begun makes one marvel if they’ve some stage of remorse about shedding him. However that is a narrative for an additional time. I believe the easiest way to take a look at the Indianapolis scenario is that Steichen appears to have an excellent sense of what Jones’ strengths are and the way finest to lean into them whereas minimizing the impression of his weaknesses.

There’s a simple comparability to be made to what Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings had been capable of do with Sam Darnold final season, and I believe that is the template. In fact, the hope could be for a stronger end to the season than the one Darnold had. But when and when that point comes, it ought to assist that Jones has some playoff expertise, whereas Darnold didn’t.

Fowler: There are a couple of areas of apprehension. Jones’ deep ball remains to be a bit spotty. He is underthrowing a few of these makes an attempt, which resulted in a late-game interception within the Week 4 loss to the Rams. Alec Pierce’s jump-ball capacity helps bail Jones out at instances, however he has been out of the lineup due to concussion protocol. And there is loads of time (12 video games) for a Jones gaffe that grew to become a signature in New York to resurface in Indianapolis. Interceptions and fumbles had been as soon as a part of the Jones expertise. Can he forestall the turnover snowball when errors occur? The Colts consider he can.

Which participant is most definitely to get an extension over the following two months?

Fowler: I’ll begin on protection. Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson seems to be destined for a brand new deal. Either side have had exploratory discussions about an extension, for which Hutchinson is eligible as a fourth-year professional. High go rushers now make quarterback cash, punctuated by Micah Parsons’ four-year, $186 million take care of Inexperienced Bay.

Whereas I am unsure Hutchinson tops that quantity, he’ll be among the many highest paid at his place each time this deal will get completed. He appeared destined for a Defensive Participant of the 12 months award final season earlier than struggling a leg harm in mid-October, and he has picked up the place he left off with 5 sacks and three pressured fumbles by means of 5 video games. Detroit has proven an eagerness to increase its marquee gamers, and there is none larger than Hutchinson.

However the actual reply is perhaps the Indianapolis quarterback whom we simply mentioned.

Graziano: Hutchinson is an effective one, and I am fascinated to see whether or not the Colts would do one thing with Jones in-season. That one is difficult, as a result of the foundations say you should wait a 12 months after signing a man if you wish to modify his contract in a approach that makes his cap quantity go up. However there are actually methods the Colts might try this in the event that they selected. However what would they do with Anthony Richardson Sr. in the event that they did?

As for pending extensions, the Eagles are at all times proactive, and so they have quite a lot of younger defensive gamers developing for extensions over the following 12 months or two. I’ve my eye on defensive sort out Jordan Davis, who’s taking part in nicely in his fourth season and is extension-eligible. The Eagles picked up his fifth-year possibility for 2026, so that they have time to determine what they wish to do. However with fellow DT Jalen Carter eligible for an extension subsequent offseason and defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean the offseason after that, it would not shock me to see the Eagles attempt to get forward of issues and get some price certainty on Davis.

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Fowler: Good name on Philly. There are few different extension candidates on my radar. Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor has stored strains of communication open with New Orleans in latest months. Taylor has inside-out scheme flexibility and three go deflections by means of 5 video games. His scenario might be just like the 49ers’ Deommodore Lenoir, who bought a five-year, $89.8 million extension final midseason. Additionally, Quentin Lake is a do-it-all chess piece for Sean McVay’s protection, and the Rams are keen on retaining him if a deal is sensible.

On offense, Ravens tight finish Isaiah Seemingly and Packers receiver Romeo Doubs are on my radar within the coming weeks and months, relying on how issues shake out on the sector.

Graziano: The Ravens had been speaking with a minimum of three of their gamers — Seemingly, heart Tyler Linderbaum and security Kyle Hamilton — about extensions throughout camp. They bought Hamilton’s completed, however the different two are nonetheless on the to-do listing. In addition they must do one thing about quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract, too, as his cap quantity balloons to $75 million for 2026, however there does not appear to be a lot motion on that.

Doubs is attention-grabbing as a result of the Packers are overloaded at large receiver. They undoubtedly had commerce talks about Doubs this offseason, however he is additionally a dependable favourite of quarterback Jordan Love. Inexperienced Bay goes to must make some decisions there within the coming 12 months or two.

How about “Monday Night time Soccer” hero Devin Lloyd? The Jaguars declined to choose up the linebacker’s fifth-year possibility for 2026, so he is a pending free agent. Would possibly they remorse that call and attempt to head off his free company if he retains taking part in at this stage?

Which coordinator has boosted his head coach candidate inventory probably the most this season?

Graziano: I believe the reply might be Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, however the names I am listening to when it comes to coordinator head teaching candidates aren’t essentially new — guys just like the Commanders’ Kliff Kingsbury, Payments’ Joe Brady, and so forth. And the Broncos’ Vance Joseph on the defensive aspect. However there have not been any out-of-nowhere, red-hot begins exterior of a spot like Indianapolis, the place Steichen runs the offense.

Fowler: From the sleeper candidate information, it is laborious to disregard what Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is doing. Jacksonville leads the NFL in turnovers created (14) by a large margin. The league’s second-worst protection in 2024 is taking part in with a critical edge underneath Campanile, a first-year NFL coordinator who got here up within the New Jersey prep scene. Jacksonville gave up yards towards the Chiefs on Monday however was extremely disruptive and confused Patrick Mahomes within the greatest second of the sport, a 99-yard pick-six from Lloyd. Campanile in all probability suits in that Mike Vrabel mould as a tough-minded defensive chief, so if a staff is into that, he might get a couple of seems to be.

I am actually intrigued by the younger defensive coaches this 12 months. We highlighted that a couple of weeks in the past with Minter, the Packers’ Jeff Hafley and the Rams’ Chris Shula. Add Campanile into the combination. He has juice.

Graziano: I believe the hot button is making an attempt to determine what from the primary 5 weeks is sustainable. If the Falcons or Colts have nice seasons on protection, does that imply Jeff Ulbrich or Lou Anarumo will reappear on the radar? I do not wish to sit right here and throw out a ton of names, since this might all look loads totally different in a month, a lot much less two or three. However we have to take a look at who’s profitable, and which coordinators have contributed to vital enhancements on these groups.

Fowler: It is also value noting that the Tampa Bay offensive pipeline is pipelining once more. Josh Grizzard has taken over, and the Buccaneers’ offense hasn’t missed a beat. It nonetheless ranks excessive in most offensive classes regardless of a rash of accidents, and quarterback Baker Mayfield remains to be dealing. Todd Bowles’ earlier two coordinator picks — Dave Canales (Carolina) and Liam Coen (Jacksonville) — have moved into head teaching jobs, and Grizzard has three months to point out that he belongs in that group. However the early returns are good for the previous Yale soccer captain, a standing that may intrigue some homeowners.

What else are you listening to this week?

Graziano’s notes:

• When Joe Burrow bought harm, the Bengals really did consider that Jake Browning could be a succesful fill-in and play higher than he has over the previous 4 video games. They weren’t desiring to commerce for a quarterback. However after a 3rd straight loss, they spent Sunday and Monday calling round to just about any staff that had greater than two quarterbacks on its roster. I am advised that neither of the Giants veterans — Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston — had been ever actual prospects, nor was Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins. There was some chatter about Drew Lock in Seattle, Sam Howell in Philadelphia — guys like that. However groups aren’t desirous to commerce from their QB depth.

The Bengals ended up with 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco. Whereas it sounded pre-trade just like the Bengals weren’t anticipating any new acquisition to have the ability to play instantly, post-trade it feels like they assume Flacco would possibly be capable to begin for them this week towards the Packers (and if not, then subsequent Thursday towards the Steelers). Cincinnati is 2-3 in an AFC North that has been turned upside-down by the Burrow harm and every thing the Ravens are coping with for the time being, and it feels obligated to attempt to keep within the race, particularly if it stills has any hope of Burrow returning by season’s finish.

• Talking of the Ravens, a few eye-catching strikes by them Tuesday within the secondary, signing veteran security C.J. Gardner-Johnson and buying and selling edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Chargers for security Alohi Gilman. The Ravens want pass-rush assist, so it is a head-scratcher on its floor, however the truth is Oweh wasn’t serving to a lot in that space. Plus, Baltimore wasn’t planning to re-sign him when he hits free company after this season. So the Ravens save about $8 million in cap area, which they’ll use so as to add one other front-seven participant or two earlier than the early-November commerce deadline.

In addition they added depth at security with the strikes, which might point out a want to make use of Swiss Military knife security Kyle Hamilton extra at linebacker as soon as he returns from his groin harm. The Ravens know they should change issues up on a protection that has been league-worst in numerous classes up to now this season.

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What does Oweh-Gilman commerce say for Ravens, Chargers?

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• Neither Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring) nor 49ers QB Brock Purdy (toe) have been dominated out for his or her respective groups’ Week 6 video games, and Jackson particularly has been lobbying to get again on the sector earlier than it will get too late for the 1-4 Ravens. However after checking in on each of these conditions early within the week, I would be shocked if both performs in Week 6. Baltimore is off in Week 7 and will seize the chance to provide Jackson one other couple of weeks to heal. The Niners introduced Purdy again from the harm in Week 4 and he had a setback, so that they’ll probably be extra cautious this time, particularly with backup Mac Jones taking part in so nicely.

• Some fantasy stuff:

• For those who picked up Houston RB Woody Marks and began him final week, you had been absolutely disenchanted. The week earlier than, it appeared just like the rookie had taken over the backfield from veteran Nick Chubb. However the Texans nonetheless view Marks as predominantly a passing-game again and one who had a little bit of an harm historical past in school. So in video games the place they’re up large and working the ball — as they had been Sunday towards the Ravens — Chubb nonetheless has the taking part in time edge.

• Houston want to discover methods to work rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel into the lineup extra. The Texans had been a lot happier with their offense Sunday in Baltimore than they’ve been at any level this season and hope to construct off that efficiency. It was the primary time of their previous 4 conferences with the Ravens that they scored an offensive landing.

• I am anticipating Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving to overlook a minimum of this week’s sport towards the 49ers and probably subsequent week’s together with his foot and shoulder accidents. Clearly Tampa Bay is comfy with Rachaad White in an expanded function within the meantime.

• Buccaneers large receiver Mike Evans is actually “week-to-week” together with his hamstring harm, and it is not out of the query he might return this week if he is ready to get some apply time in.

• The Saints assume RB Kendre Miller is working nicely and provides them one thing of an explosive component of their working sport, so he’ll probably hold getting alternatives together with veteran Alvin Kamara, who’s a possible commerce candidate forward of the deadline.

• The Raiders would really like TE Brock Bowers’ knee to heal totally earlier than placing him again on the market, since taking part in by means of the harm clearly wasn’t serving to it, and so they do not wish to make it worse. Bowers will proceed to attempt to push by means of the harm, however the staff would favor to guard him from himself, even when meaning lacking one other sport or two to get wholesome.

• Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. bought some apply work in final week and will make his return to take a few of the load off battering-ram rookie Cam Skattebo on a brief week this Thursday evening towards the Eagles.

• The Chargers are right down to Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal at working again following the accidents to Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton. It is laborious to suggest both for fantasy due to what is going on on with the Chargers’ offensive line, which has misplaced each beginning tackles to accidents and is having a tough time defending quarterback Justin Herbert. Whichever of these RBs the Chargers like higher in go safety ought to have the sting for enjoying time.

• The Panthers up to now are standing by QB Bryce Younger, who recovered from a tough begin Sunday and introduced Carolina again to beat Miami. However there are folks across the league who’re watching that scenario to see whether or not Younger, who hasn’t maintained the momentum that he completed with final season, might get benched once more for Andy Dalton if he does not present enchancment quickly. Younger is twenty seventh within the league in QBR, is finishing simply 60.9% of his passes and has seven landing passes to 4 interceptions. The Panthers may have a fifth-year possibility choice to make in Might on the 2023 first general choose, and it is doable they might be available in the market for a brand new QB subsequent offseason.

Fowler’s notes:

• A couple of notes on the Browns dealing Flacco to the Bengals:

• Flacco didn’t ask Cleveland to commerce him and was prepared to attend issues out in Cleveland, however his want was to play, and he’s thrilled to be throwing to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and extra.

• I am advised Flacco is “going to strive” to play Sunday towards Inexperienced Bay. The Packers will put together for all eventualities, together with Flacco taking part in. He has performed in lots of methods through the years and may have a minimum of some familiarity with Zac Taylor’s assault.

• The youth motion is on in Cleveland. Many of the impression talent gamers on offense are rookies — quarterback Dillon Gabriel, tight finish Harold Fannin Jr., working again Quinshon Judkins, large receiver Isaiah Bond and others. Whereas Cleveland is clearly in transition, this rookie class has been spectacular, and Cleveland needs these gamers to coalesce collectively. I am anticipating a prolonged run for Gabriel. He may have an affordable runway to play by means of his errors, regardless of the presence of Shedeur Sanders.

• Carolina’s Rico Dowdle simply had the sport of a lifetime one week earlier than he’ll face his outdated staff of 4 seasons. Dowdle — who burned Miami for 206 yards on 23 carries Sunday — advised me going up towards Dallas, probably as his new staff’s lead again, is “going to be nice. I am trying ahead to it, for positive.”

On the run sport dominating, Dowdle stated, “That is a beautiful feeling. As soon as you may get the run sport established, it opens every thing up.” That is the plan for Carolina this Sunday. Coach Dave Canales needs to lean closely into the run, however the Panthers struggled to take action constantly over the primary month. Dowdle thrived rather than Chuba Hubbard, who missed final week and is taken into account day-to-day with a calf harm. Dowdle stated he is not positive about Hubbard’s Week 6 standing however “each of us might be able to roll” in a two-back system — probably with each gamers on the sector on the similar time.

The Panthers began the season with Dowdle taking part in each third sequence, however that might be altering by the way in which he is taking part in. Dowdle holds no in poor health will towards Dallas for not re-signing him in free company, as an alternative specializing in Carolina’s want to make use of him. He’s conversant in Dallas’ defensive personnel. Will that give him an edge? “I am going to hold that to myself,” he stated with fun.

• The Giants face a difficult week. They’re short-handed offensively and face a gifted Eagles protection that may attempt to pressure Jaxson Dart into errors. However what New York likes about Dart by means of the primary two video games is his confidence and his instincts. He communicates nicely on the line of scrimmage and does not get rattled. The Giants are hoping that pays off on a brief week, however they know they must run the ball nicely on early downs. Third-and-long for the rookie towards Vic Fangio in all probability will not finish nicely. After which, when the Eagles make changes, the Giants should decipher what they’re doing and make their very own changes.

Veteran receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) is predicted to overlook Thursday’s sport, I am advised. He was hopeful to contribute, however a hamstring harm on a brief week is just too powerful to beat.

• Trades are beginning to fly off the board leaguewide. Two bought completed Tuesday, practically a month from the deadline. That the Ravens gave up on Oweh, sending him to the Chargers, was a light shock. League execs are already questioning which struggling groups might enter hearth sale mode. Within the AFC East, the Jets would have a number of engaging commerce prospects on the defensive aspect of the ball, as would the Dolphins on offense. It will not shock me if groups begin to name on Miami receiver Jaylen Waddle if the Dolphins proceed to wrestle, although I extremely doubt Miami would entertain that at this level, particularly with Tyreek Hill out for the season.

One different receiver from a struggling staff to observe might be Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders and Meyers could not attain a deal earlier than Week 1 regardless of his commerce request, and with the Raiders sitting at 1-4, curiosity within the participant might tick upward. Anyway, there might be a lot motion leaguewide, and I believe sufficient curiosity within the receiver place to forecast a transfer or two.

• Trevor Lawrence is breaking leaguewide narratives about his play. As Lawrence struggled final season, I had quite a lot of executives/coaches ask the query as they assessed his play: Does he love the sport? They questioned aloud whether or not the gifted passer ever put within the mandatory work to go from first rate to nice on the subsequent stage. And the numbers form of bore that out. He confirmed flashes however was largely unspectacular by means of his first 4 NFL seasons.

This Lawrence, nonetheless, is taking part in with a fireplace that Jacksonville has tried to encourage. Coach Liam Coen stated on “The Pat McAfee Present” this week that Lawrence performed “pissed off” within the thrilling win over Kansas Metropolis. That is by design. The Jaguars love that he is taking part in with juice and flare. Lawrence has purchased into Coen’s course of, organizing additional work with receivers after apply and emphasizing further movie work. He takes on Coen’s persona a bit. Additionally, the Jaguars have inspired him to make use of his legs extra usually for simple yardage when introduced by the protection, just like what the Chargers are attempting to do with Herbert. These are large, athletic quarterbacks who do not must be statues within the pocket, so long as they’ll shield themselves.