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As leaves turn to brown and clocks go back, the importance of NFL football increases. And Week 6 of the 2024 NFL season is no different with playoff hopes slipping away and jobs on the line.
The week opened with the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
Sunday’s action will begin with London’s de facto team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, returning to the United Kingdom for the first time this year to play their first of two games, opening against the Chicago Bears.
With a full slate of football from morning to night, here are the three games you don’t want to miss.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch during his team's
36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, October 10. Samuel
became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 20 touchdown receptions and 20 touchdown runs after scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch.
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Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, center, celebrates an interception with his teammates during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, October 13. The Lions trounced the Cowboys 47-9.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs dives for a touchdown in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 13. The Packers beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II stands for the national anthem ahead of the Broncos' 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on October 13.
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Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson stops Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku in Philadelphia on October 13. The Eagles won 20-16.
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Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 13. The Panthers lost 38-20.
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Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams walks down the tunnel after his team
beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 35-16 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 13. Williams completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts and throwing for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom and safety Ji'Ayir Brown break up a touchdown pass intended for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf in Seattle on Thursday, October 10.
Ed Zurga/AP
New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr. signs autographs for a young Kansas City Chiefs fan before the start of the game between the teams in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, October 7. Gay played for the Chiefs for four seasons before signing with the Saints during the offseason.
The Chiefs beat the Saints 26-13.
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Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.
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Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.
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Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team's 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9.
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Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24.
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Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.
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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants' 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26.
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Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers' 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 22.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7.
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Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22.
Stacy Bengs/AP
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescotts sits on the field after a play during the team's 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22.
Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3.
Matt Slocum/AP
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team's 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs' 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17.
Tim Heitman/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints' 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game.
Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after
he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion.
Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8.
Ken Blaze/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20.
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was
detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties.
Danny Karnik/AP
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10.
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Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears.
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Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10.
Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8.
Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.
Matt Slocum/AP
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6.
It was the first NFL game in South America.
Ed Zurga/AP
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20.
Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.
Charlie Riedel/AP
Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.
Washington Commanders (4-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
It’s been a long while since the “Battle of the Beltway” has held such significance.
For the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens – whose stadiums sit just 32 miles apart – Sunday’s game comes at crucial points in the season.
The Ravens are currently riding a three-game winning streak as they rebuild from a stuttering start, while the Commanders are looking to continue their ascension from upstart to serious playoff contender.
The match-up will feature a showdown between two of the NFL’s most exciting quarterbacks; on one sideline is reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, and on the other is rookie Jayden Daniels.
Jackson is ranked as the No. 1 quarterback through five weeks of the season by NFL.com, while Daniels is sixth having made a historic start to his rookie campaign.
Jackson displayed all facets of his skillset in the Ravens’ dramatic overtime victory over the Bengals in Week 5, accurate with his throwing and elusive with his running. This was highlighted none more so than when he dropped snap and was able to twice fend off Cincinnati defender Sam Hubbard before finding tight end Isaiah Likely in the endzone in one of the best plays of the season.
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Reigning NFL MVP Jackson has led the Ravens on a three-game winning streak.
Daniels, on the other hand, is breaking records seemingly every week for his accuracy throwing the ball and his ability to run it.
The last time there has been this much excitement around a Washington quarterback was in 2012 with Robert Griffin III’s Offensive Rookie of the Year season.
And although Baltimore are the much more experienced team, head coach John Harbaugh was quick to praise Washington and Daniels.
“I can tell you that Jayden is playing at a high, high level,” Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday. “He has his team; they built it around him. (Commanders offensive coordinator) Kliff (Kingsbury)’s done a great job there in terms of building the offense around Jayden.
“They have skill players; they have a really good running back, a veteran offensive line. They’ve been doing a great job – you see it on tape … There’s all kind of space out there that they’ve created with all of that chemistry together that they have. We have our hands full. It definitely starts with Jayden, but it’s the whole offense, and we have to be on point.”
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Despite being in his rookie season, Daniels is one of the early season contenders for the MVP award after a historic start to life in the NFL.
Cleveland Browns (1-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
The Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles were two teams who began the season with high hopes. But they have both flattered to deceive.
The Browns have had poor quarterback play from Deshaun Watson as the team has slumped to a 1-4 opening with negativity and question marks surrounding the franchise.
NFL.com has Watson ranked as the worst quarterback in the league through five weeks, with writer Nick Shook saying: “He’s no longer a starting-caliber quarterback, and until the Browns decide to make a change, they’re going to continue to struggle mightily. It’s time to bench him, plain and simple.”
However, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanksi has resisted calls to sit Watson, saying as long as he’s healthy, the eight-year veteran will be the team’s starter.
Peter Casey/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Watson has struggled in the first four games of the 2024 season.
The Eagles also enter Week 6 with clouds hanging over them. Following a disappointing end to last season, head coach Nick Sirianni needed a fast start to win over his doubters.
Although they won their season-opener in Brazil against the Packers, Philadelphia lost on a last-minute drive at home to the Atlanta Falcons, while in Week 4, they suffered a convincing loss on the road to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They are coming back off their bye week which gave their two star receivers – A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith – the chance to get healthy after missing the past few outings.
Without his top two targets, QB Jalen Hurts has struggled with seven turnovers in his four games. And Sirianni said on Thursday that addressing the turnover battle is something the team looked at during their week off.
“I think, generally speaking, it’s our turnover differential that we have some different ways that we’re going to coach a couple things, some tackling things, how we’re going to coach a couple things and drill a couple things,” he told reporters.
Both teams could really use a victory on Sunday to get their seasons back on track.
Carla Carniel/Reuters
Sirianni is facing pressure after a 2-2 start to the season.
Sunday offers both the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys the chance to pick up their fourth wins of the season and the opportunity to cement their playoff aspirations.
The Lions’ start to the season has been impressive so far, having last played in Week 4 with their 13-point victory against the Seattle Seahawks before going on bye.
Head coach Dan Campbell’s team is rounding into shape nicely as time goes by, with quarterback Jared Goff not missing a pass against Seattle. The two-headed running attack of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery also keeps opposing defenses on their toes and the array of pass-catching talent is a threat on every snap.
Nic Antaya/Getty Images
The Lions offense looks to be kicking into gear through five weeks of the season.
Conversely, the Cowboys have spluttered to their 3-2 start. QB Dak Prescott has been accurate but ‘America’s Team’ have struggled at home, losing their two games at AT&T Stadium in convincing fashion so far.
One issue for the team has been getting star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb involved in the second half of games. Lamb has just four catches for 25 yards in 10 quarters of second-half action across the first five weeks of the season.
But Prescott sees the defense focusing on Lamb as an opportunity to get the rest of his offensive weapons involved.
“I mean, it’s the NFL,” Prescott told reporters. “They’re not going to allow you to come in and beat you with their fastball early and late if that’s what you’re trying to go to; they’re going to make you change it up and that’s credit to those guys, not only the coordinators to the defense understanding that we want to get the guy the ball.”
The Cowboys will likely be without star pass rusher Micah Parsons through injury for Sunday’s game in Arlington, Texas, but ending their poor home record will be vital if they hold any hopes of making a deep playoff run.
And with pressure mounting on head coach Mike McCarthy’s shoulders after two successive under-par postseason defeats, that is the expectation for Dallas.
Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Lamb (No. 88) is the Dallas Cowboys' star offensive weapon.
Away vs. home
Chicago Bears (3-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) – 9:30 a.m. ET
Washington Commanders (4-1) @ Baltimore Ravens (3-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Arizona Cardinals (2-3) @ Green Bay Packers (3-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Houston Texans (4-1) @ New England Patriots (1-4) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) @ New Orleans Saints (2-3) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Browns (1-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts (2-3) @ Tennessee Titans (1-3) – 1:00 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) @ Denver Broncos (3-2) – 4:05 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) – 4:05 p.m. ET
Atlanta Falcons (3-2) @ Carolina Panthers (1-4) – 4:25 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions (3-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-2) – 4:25 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals (1-4) @ New York Giants (2-3) – 8:20 p.m. ET