No more unbeaten teams, backup QBs win and the Jets are still rolling: What we learned in NFL Week Six

For the third consecutive week, the NFL began its Sunday slate in London, with the Ravens and Titans at Tottenham, with Baltimore bouncing back from a loss to Pittsburgh last week, beating the Titans, 24–16.

In Cleveland, PJ Walker, formerly of the Panthers and the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, stepped in to lead the Browns in the absence of Deshaun Watson, while in New York, a similar script unfolded as the Jets caused another major upset with a first-ever victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who, like the 49ers, went into the game yet to lose.

Elsewhere, the winless Panthers were unable to hold on to an early 14-0 lead over the Dolphins as Miami recovered to hit 35 straight points to put another upset out of reach. Carolina’s 0-6 start is the franchise’s worst since 1998, and though the Dolphins have yet to beat a contender, Mike McDaniel’s offense is averaging 37.1 points a game a month and a half into the season. That’s the fifth-highest total since 2000.

To cap off the week, the Los Angeles Chargers failed to convert chances as they lost to the Dallas Cowboys late on Monday evening, as Dak Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes and also a rushing TD as they rebounded to 4-2.

A crazy week of action, with some new storylines emerging. Here’s what we learned in Week Six…

Jets are a good team without Aaron Rodgers

It was poised to be more doom and gloom for New York following Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury moments into the season opener against the Buffalo Bills last month.

But, despite the transition back to Zach Wilson, the Jets are continuing to upstage elite QBs and prove the are still an unbelievable team despite not necessarily having an incredible quarterback.

Wilson has fought through the ridicule and early-season (and early career for that matter) lumps that have defined the bulk of his tenure in New York. Credit must go to Robert Saleh and his coaching staff, who have stuck by Wilson despite three consecutive defeats following the Rodgers injury. Finally, their trust and support for the young talent is paying off.

But once again, we’re praising the Jets defense, undoubtedly one of the best units in the entire NFL, who limited a typically explosive Eagles offense to three plays of 20 yards or more, and didn’t concede a point after halftime. Once again, they were the difference for the Jets, with Tony Adams late interception on Jalen Hurts helping to pave the way for a Jets comeback.

Heading into their bye-week, it’s an unbelievable achievement for this Jets team to be 3-3. Having now faced their hardest opponents for the season, there is no reason why this Jets can’t make a run for the playoffs in 2023.

Jim Schwartz proving to be an excellent DC hire for the Browns

It was a slugfest between two of the best defenses in football, but it was Cleveland who got the shock win over San Francisco on Sunday.

The Niners had injury issues during the game (Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel both left early), but if you look at who was missing from the Browns for the game, it makes the victory all the more impressive. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, running back Nick Chubb and two key pieces on the offensive line, Jack Conklin and Joel Bitonio all did not play.

A ton of credit must go to Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was hired just this offseason but has transformed a Cleveland defense which has been underperforming its outrageous talent. They led the way, holding the 49ers to 215 yards and made Brock Purdy, who was being referred to as a top-5 QB prior to the match, look incredibly average.

Kyle Shanahan’s teams are now 1-8 against Schwartz-coached defenses, and hasn’t won against the former Lions head coach since 2008. Schwartz has his number.

Yes, the Browns did get lucky at times, some of the officiating decisions went in their favour and Jake Moody should have made his game winning kick for the 49ers late on. But once again, Cleveland were able to stay in a game to snatch a win as a huge underdog, and Jim Schwartz played a big part in making that happen.

Desmond Ridder is costing the Falcons

A first home defeat since high school for Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, but once again, the QB had a big hand in the outcome not going Atlanta’s direction.

It’s part of life as an NFL quarterback; one week you get a win and you’re praised, the next, you get a loss and everything comes crashing back down to Earth. But the lack of consistency, on top of some poor decision making and accuracy, means this good Falcons team with one of the easiest schedules this year, is not really where they should be after Week Six.

Ridder’s stat lines looks solid, having thrown for over 300 yards and two touchdowns here. But three interceptions were the difference once again – his picks cost his team against the Jaguars in London, and it cost them again against the Commanders.

Is it time for a change? Many have been arguing that Taylor Heinicke would have steered the team to victory against Washington if he had been playing. Credit to Arthur Smith for sticking to his guns and backing the young QB, but this feels like a wasted opportunity for this talented Falcons team. They could definitely win the NFC South and make a burst into the post-season. But if Ridder continues the way he’s going, that feat is going to be very difficult to get to.