NFL Week 6 Preview: Bold Predictions, Upset Picks & Best Games to Watch! (Ep. 2269)

Designated to return from IR after high ankle sprain; missed four games. Erickson expects cautious approach and believes he likely won't play Week 6 against Jets, preferring to hold him for Thursday night game against Bears on short week to get him fresh. Fitzmaurice agrees, noting high ankle sprains are serious (essentially knee injuries) with four-to-six week recovery timelines; prefers limited snap count or holding him rather than risking two games in five days.

Brown is expected to play in Week 6 against the Panthers; the source notes that if Brown and Saquon Barkley are both active, it could make the Eagles' upset loss prediction look foolish, but the Eagles' offensive line issues and overall team dysfunction remain concerns.

Young has been playing well for the Panthers coming off their bye week; the source highlights Young's performance as part of the Panthers' offensive momentum heading into Week 6 against the Eagles, suggesting the Panthers have an opportunity to make a real statement.

Reuniting with Marvin Harrison Jr. in London. Fitzmaurice notes Stroud made Nico Collins, who didn't do much his first two years, explode in year three, suggesting Stroud has the ability to elevate receivers. Erickson notes Stroud will likely force some stuff but won't improve Harrison's route running or separation. Jaguars are pass funnel defense, so Texans will have to throw, making Stroud active in the game.

Williams' status for Week 6 against the Falcons is uncertain; the source questions how the Bears will respond to their loss in Green Bay and whether Caleb will return, noting that the Falcons have been playing at a near-playoff caliber level offensively and defensively over the last three weeks.

Fitzmaurice and Erickson both predict Carson Beck will start games before J.J. McCarthy. Erickson mentions there's another rookie quarterback they'll talk about later.

Prescott faces a high-scoring matchup against the Cowboys; the last time these teams played on Sunday Night Football, they scored 80 combined points in a 40-40 tie, setting up an over-heavy game script where Prescott will need to put up significant volume.

Watson's play has been letting people see how good Denzel Boston is going to be as a pass catcher in the Browns offense. Boston is part of a complete offense that the Browns have if Deshaun Watson can avoid those fall-over sacks.

Henry faces Ravens coach Todd Munkin, who was the Ravens offensive coordinator for the last two seasons; the source suggests this could be a revenge game for Henry because Munkin didn't give him the ball enough in the second half of their previous matchup, potentially motivating Henry to perform well against his former coach.

Derrick Henry is going to get a big dose of carries in Cleveland in Week 6. If Lamar Jackson doesn't play, it's going to be a big dose of Derrick Henry; either way, it's going to be a big dose of Derrick Henry. With Browns linebacker Carson Schwestinger questionable with an ankle injury and not practicing as of Wednesday, stopping Derrick Henry is going to be a challenge for the Browns.

Deshaun Watson looked horrible last week, taking eight sacks against the New York Jets. The Browns are banged up all over the place heading into their divisional matchup at Baltimore, creating a challenging environment for the backup quarterback scenario.

Watson played functionally for the Browns and made the offense go, letting pass catchers see how good Denzel Boston and Casey Concepcion are going to be and making Harold Fannin work; however, last week against the Jets was bad and didn't help that they botched a punt. For the Browns to win outright against Baltimore, Watson has to be better than he was last week, or the Shadur Sanders watch is on.

Welsh notes Drake May has found his rhythm after early-season struggles, bouncing back after three weeks of Welsh calling for it. Fitzmaurice agrees, emphasizing that Drake May finding rhythm is the key thing to watch, and that A.J. Brown's return will help the connection. Welsh is anxious to see the Drake May to A.J. Brown connection develop after it was taken away early in the season.

Dylan Samson is designated to return, indicating he has been out with an injury. There are a lot of banged up guys in the Ravens backfield that could lead them to pass the ball a little bit more.

Mendoza is expected to take over as the Raiders' starting quarterback after Week 6, replacing Kirk Cousins following the team's third consecutive loss. This represents a significant opportunity for the number one overall draft pick to enter the game.

Fannin wasn't involved in recent games but would get back involved if the Browns' offense gets going. Watson's play has been making Harold Fannin work as part of a complete offense that the Browns have if Deshaun Watson can avoid those fall-over sacks.

Giants head coach John Harbaugh hinted team has more in store for J.J. McCarthy packages. Fitzmaurice expects McCarthy will eventually play due to inevitable Jameis Winston interception games, and believes Giants are working him into games knowing they'll probably feel obligated to start him eventually. Erickson notes McCarthy isn't a Taysom Hill-type player and questions the value of running RPOs and design run plays for a quarterback who's been injured for multiple seasons. Fitzmaurice and Erickson both predict Carson Beck will start games before McCarthy.

Brissett is identified as a potential trade candidate; the source suggests he could be dealt to a fringy quarterback team as part of the broader trade market activity expected to accelerate in Week 6 as losing teams make moves.

McLaughlin is positioned as an X factor in the Ravens-Chargers game; with multiple Ravens running backs banged up (Raheem Samson and others), the backfield injuries could increase passing volume and create opportunity for McLaughlin, the all-time leading college rusher across all divisions with over 8,000 yards at Notre Dame College of Ohio and Youngstown State.

Jaleel McLaughlin, the all-time leading college rusher, is one of the many X factors in the Ravens-Browns game. He could be a factor if the Ravens' backfield injuries continue to mount.

Fitzmaurice expects inevitable Jameis Winston interception games that will irritate coaches, leading to McCarthy packages being used. Erickson notes Winston threw a really bad pick recently, prompting McCarthy package usage. Fitzmaurice and Erickson both predict Carson Beck will start games before McCarthy, implying Winston's struggles will eventually lead to benching.

Winston is expected to start for the Saints against the Giants in a must-see TV matchup; he attempted 54 passes last week without throwing an interception—the first time in his career with that many attempts without a pick—setting up a wild back-and-forth shootout game with Tyler Shuler and the Giants.

Daniels faces a difficult matchup against the 49ers; Fred Warner's ability to erase quarterbacks in the run game will neutralize Daniels' reliance on his legs due to the Commanders' poor offensive line and hamstring injuries to both top receivers. Warner will spy Daniels, making the Commanders offense inoperable and creating a tough road challenge after the overtime tie loss to the Giants.

Fitzmaurice and Erickson discuss Higgins as having better long-term outlook than Marvin Harrison Jr. Fitzmaurice notes Higgins has not failed yet while Harrison has basically failed. Erickson suggests this is a great time to buy Higgins in Dynasty. In August, Nico Collins was talking about Higgins having face-of-the-league type potential. Fitzmaurice prefers Higgins over Michael Wilson in a trade scenario.

Herbert has not played well through the first five weeks; combined with mounting offensive line injuries and receiver losses, his performance outlook remains bleak against the Chiefs' defense in Week 6.

Cousins will make his final start of the 2026 season on Sunday; after the Buffalo Bills hand the Las Vegas Raiders their third straight loss, the Raiders will make the switch to number one overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, ending Cousins' tenure as the starter.

Per Schefter and league sources, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has a realistic chance to play Sunday against Cleveland despite ankle injury. Erickson notes that either a backup QB starting on road in hostile environment or a potentially compromised Lamar Jackson off ankle injury could affect the matchup dynamics.

Per Schefter, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a realistic chance to play on Sunday against Cleveland, but faces an ankle injury concern. The source emphasizes caution given what happened last year when Lamar Jackson returned from injury too quickly, resulting in poor performance that cost John Harbaugh his job. The Ravens need Jackson to be 150% ready to go; a compromised Lamar Jackson off an ankle injury creates risk in this divisional matchup.

The Ravens may exercise caution with Lamar Jackson in Week 6 against Cleveland. If Lamar Jackson doesn't play, it's going to be a big dose of Derrick Henry; either way, it's going to be a big dose of Derrick Henry in Cleveland.

Jackson may start for the Ravens in Week 6 against the Browns; the source makes a bold prediction that the Browns will beat the Ravens regardless of whether Jackson or Tyler Huntley is under center, picking the divisional home underdog to win outright.

Valdez-Scantling is the Chargers' number one wide receiver and leading in snaps, but the speaker emphasizes this reflects the team's offensive dysfunction and injury crisis rather than his quality; the Chargers have no shot offensively with him as the top option.

Making debut with Texans in London after trade from Cardinals. Fitzmaurice expects low snap count due to learning new offense and notes Harrison has struggled significantly this season: hasn't separated well, had trouble with contested catches, and nothing has looked good. Expects no dramatic turnaround despite reuniting with CJ Stroud. Erickson agrees expectations remain low; Stroud won't improve his route running or separation. Best case scenario is red zone fade route touchdown. Fitzmaurice notes his body of work through 2+ years mirrors Roman Dunzey's aggregate stats (yards per route run, yards per target, TDs), but Harrison is viewed as much worse producer due to top-five draft expectations versus reality.

Fitzmaurice prefers Michael Wilson over Jaden Higgins in a trade, suggesting Wilson can be flipped on high. However, Erickson notes Wilson has an ACL tear, which is a strike against him. Fitzmaurice says he'd rather hold Wilson just because of the ACL tear concern.

Evans has a favorable matchup against the 49ers secondary; the 49ers are without depth at pass catcher positions, and Evans established a strong game last week, positioning him well for this week's contest.

Fitzmaurice cites Collins as example of CJ Stroud's ability to elevate receivers; Collins didn't produce much his first two years but exploded in year three under Stroud. In August, Nico Collins was talking about Jaden Higgins having face-of-the-league type potential.

Rice is expected to be the focal point of the Chiefs offense in Week 6 against the Chargers; the source notes the Chiefs should probably run Ken Walker 30 times, implying Rice will be the primary passing target for Kansas City, who are 8-point favorites over a deficient Chargers offense.

Barkley is expected to play in Week 6 against the Panthers; the source notes that if Barkley and A.J. Brown are both active, it could make the Eagles' upset loss prediction look foolish, but the Eagles' offensive line issues and overall team dysfunction remain concerns.

Huntley may start for the Ravens in Week 6 against the Browns; the source makes a bold prediction that the Browns will beat the Ravens regardless of whether Huntley or Lamar Jackson is under center, picking the divisional home underdog to win outright.

Erickson expresses strong preference for Marvin Harrison Jr. over Hutchinson, saying he'd rather have Harrison on field than Hutchinson, who 'just does a bunch of cardio and is not adding a ton of value.' Suggests Harrison's arrival is positive for getting Hutchinson off the field.