NFL Week 6: Injuries and Standings Shape the Race

Houston beat Jacksonville with a walk-off field goal at Wembley Stadium, changing the AFC South odds as players and teams navigated the league’s unforgiving standings and injury rules. Jacksonville’s division-winning chance fell from 87 percent to 69 percent; Houston’s climbed from 2 percent if it lost to 14 percent after the win. One kick changed the numbers.

The standings set the price

Jacksonville could have improved to 5-1 with a win. Before Houston’s victory, The Athletic’s playoff predictor gave the team an 87 percent chance of winning the division. Afterward, that figure fell to 69 percent. Houston’s chance rose to 14 percent.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson was ruled out of the AFC North game against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury. He was set to miss his second straight game. Jackson hurt the ankle late in the first half of Baltimore’s Oct. 4 win over the Tennessee Titans, and team sources called his status “day to day.” Coach Jesse Minter said the team didn’t expect him to miss much time.

Tyler Huntley was set to start again after leading Baltimore to a 30-23 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons the previous Sunday. He had started 12 regular-season games, and Baltimore went 6-6 in those contests. The Steelers’ division record stood at 1-1; the Browns game marked Baltimore’s first division game of the season. The numbers speak for themselves. Players carry the consequences on the field.

Philadelphia also had to adjust its lineup because of injury. Doctors found a small, superficial blood clot in Jalen Hurts’ calf, and the Eagles placed their quarterback on injured reserve. He would miss at least four games, with Nov. 22 against the Pittsburgh Steelers listed as the earliest possible return date. Already on a three-game losing streak and without key offensive players, Philadelphia planned to start Tanner McKee, a fourth-year veteran who had started in Week 18 in each of the previous two seasons.

On Friday, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said: “I know there's a great deal of interest in Jalen's health, but I'm not going to get too much into any of that. ... Jalen's health is of the utmost importance to all of us in the building. Care deeply about Jalen. Not going to get too much into that.” It was his first public statement since doctors found the clot.

A week of managed risk

The 4-1 Buffalo Bills traveled to face the 3-2 Las Vegas Raiders after beating the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime on Monday night. Josh Allen ran for 121 yards against the Rams, while James Cook added 111; together, they scored three rushing touchdowns. A win in Las Vegas could lift Buffalo’s conference record to 3-1. The defense, described as being at a critical point before its bye week, faced calls for urgency from defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, along with consistent signs that the team’s potential remained within reach.

The Raiders aimed to end a two-game losing streak after the New England Patriots beat them 45-17 the previous week, piling up 536 yards as Drake Maye accounted for five touchdowns. New York Post writer Vincent Bonsignore said Allen could punish defensive mistakes by running, escaping pressure or throwing over defenders. He said the Raiders’ pass rush, led by Maxx Crosby, needed to pressure Allen without giving him escape routes. Interior defenders had to hold their rush lanes, while the secondary needed to stay with receivers when Allen extended plays. Rob Leonard also had to account for Cook.

Bonsignore said the Raiders needed a running game, help from receivers beyond Brock Bowers, and scoring drives from Kirk Cousins. Coach Klint Kubiak had to deliver those elements; field goals might not keep pace if Buffalo scored touchdowns. The coverage named Bills coach Joe Brady against Rob Leonard as a marquee matchup, and Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn against Allen as another. Using Chinn as a spy on selected passing downs was presented as a possibility, not a confirmed assignment. The prediction: Bills 34, Raiders 20.

The people in the stands

Week 6 coverage said 12 games were scheduled Sunday. About 20 minutes before kickoff at Wembley, drizzle fell as empty seats remained. Former Jaguars player Fred Taylor tried to rally support inside the stadium, saying, “it's all about business.” Jerseys representing Texans, Jaguars, Rams, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Chiefs, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Colts and Bears fans showed up on London’s transit system.

The coverage also said Caleb Williams was questionable for the Chicago Bears against the Atlanta Falcons after full practices Thursday and Friday. He was expected back barring a setback and said he’d need to pass a “stress test” of his readiness. The Kansas City Chiefs were looking to stay undefeated against the winless Los Angeles Chargers. No mutual-aid effort or self-organized response appeared in the account; it stayed focused on teams, coaches, injuries and the standings.