Every week, Yardbarker highlights crucial folks main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed here are the ten most essential folks to keep watch over in Week 6.
Proprietor Woody Johnson | New York Jets
Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Monday after a 2-3 begin and a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. After canning Saleh, Johnson mentioned the 2024 roster is “one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets.”
The timing of Saleh’s firing makes little sense when factoring in quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the primary cause the Jets misplaced to the Vikings on Sunday. Rodgers threw three interceptions, together with a pick-six. Plus, the Jets are heading into an AFC East matchup in opposition to the 3-2 Buffalo Payments on “Monday Night time Soccer.”
If the Jets beat the Payments on Monday, they’re going to lead the division. If the Jets lose to the Payments and subsequently prolong their postseason drought to 14 seasons, Johnson will deservedly obtain many of the blame.
HC Sean McDermott | Buffalo Payments
The Payments began 3-0, however the wins got here in opposition to dropping groups (Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars). Now they’re 3-2 after dropping 35-10 to the Baltimore Ravens and 23-20 to the Houston Texans.
McDermott’s teaching selections are underneath a microscope, particularly his poor clock administration within the remaining two minutes of the fourth quarter versus Houston with the rating tied at 20. After three incomplete passes and a Buffalo punt, the Texans bought in field-goal vary and Ka’imi Fairbairn booted a 59-yarder as time expired.
QB Drake Maye | New England Patriots
Maye, the 2024 No. 3 total choose, shall be making his beginning debut in opposition to the 4-1 Houston Texans. The Texans rank No. 8 in sacks (15) and the Patriots rank No. 2 in sacks allowed (19). This is not an excellent matchup for Maye, however it’s higher late than by no means for a New England crew that is 1-4 and destined to be one of many league’s worst groups.
QB Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders
The 2024 No. 2 total choose has performed phenomenally for the Commanders (4-1). Daniels ranks No. 3 in ESPN’s Whole QBR at 73.2 and leads the NFL in completion proportion at 77.1. Per ESPN, Daniels is the primary participant in NFL historical past to surpass 1,000 passing and 250 speeding yards in his first 5 video games.
Daniels’ subsequent check is kind of the quarterback matchup: He is going up in opposition to QB Lamar Jackson and the 3-2 Ravens and their prolific offense in Baltimore.
HC Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers began 2-0 however dropped their previous two in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. L.A. is coming off a bye and is on the street in Week 6 in opposition to the 3-2 Denver Broncos. Harbaugh is 3-1 in opposition to Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
A win will get the Chargers again on observe however a loss may begin elevating doubts in regards to the crew’s route.
QB Deshaun Watson | Cleveland Browns
Watson’s 21.0 QBR ranks No. 31 within the league and his 852 passing yards rank No. 26. Front Office Sports reported in September that Watson nonetheless has $92M in assured cash remaining on his contract, which should be the one cause he is nonetheless beginning.
The Browns, who play at Philadelphia in Week 6, could be higher off with Jameis Winston as their QB1. He has 80 NFL begins and cannot be any worse than Watson.
HC Doug Pederson | Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars (1-4) beat the Indianapolis Colts, 37-34, in Week 5 for his or her first win of the season. Pederson is 19-20 with the Jaguars and will wind up being fired in the event that they miss the postseason for the second season in a row.
In Week 6, Jacksonville heads to London to face the 3-2 Chicago Bears. The Jets fired their head coach after their loss in London. Pederson shall be hoping he does not endure the identical destiny if Jacksonville falls in England.
HC Zac Taylor | Cincinnati Bengals
If the 1-4 Bengals fall to the 2-3 New York Giants on Sunday evening, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes may very well be useless. With QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and DE Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals have been anticipated to compete for a Tremendous Bowl. Proprietor Mike Brown has a observe document of being affected person with head coaches, however Taylor cannot afford for this season to grow to be embarrassing. A loss to the Giants could be embarrassing.
QB Aidan O’Connell | Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have benched Gardner Minshew and are rolling with second-year participant O’Connell in opposition to the 3-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Purdue product was 5-5 as Raiders starter final season, throwing for two,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Going with O’Connell is the best transfer. Minshew’s arm power is restricted and O’Connell can at the least preserve safeties sincere and never cheat as much as quick and intermediate areas.
HC Shane Steichen | Indianapolis Colts
Steichen should select whether or not to begin 2023 No. 4 total choose Anthony Richardson, who may very well be accessible after struggling an indirect damage in Week 4, or veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco has been the higher QB, throwing for 527 yards, 5 touchdowns, zero interceptions and posting a 70% completion charge. Richardson has three TD passes, six interceptions and a 50.6% completion charge.
The two-3 Colts play on the 1-3 Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The QB name looks like a no brainer for Steichen.
