Questions, takeaways from NFL Week 6: Panthers squeak by against Cowboys, Jets remain winless

Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off with an NFC East showdown between the Eagles and the Giants on Thursday night. The Giants' rookies dominated their win, as quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo accounted for five total touchdowns.

Sunday's action began overseas for the third straight week, with the Broncos holding on and the Jets remaining the NFL's lone winless team. Back in the United States, the Ravens lost their fourth straight game with three turnovers against the Rams. The Panthers won on a time-expiring field goal over the Cowboys, while the Colts narrowly defeated the Cardinals and backup QB Jacoby Brissett.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it.

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ARI-IND | SEA-JAX | DAL-CAR
LAR-BAL | NYJ-DEN | PHI-NYG

Indianapolis 31, Arizona 27

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Colts

Did the Colts allay defensive concerns with their late-game stand? The Cardinals were missing their starting quarterback, multiple running backs and lost their top receiver during the game. And yet, Arizona was able to consistently move the ball against a Colts defense that has raised a few questions in recent games. Only the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford compiled more total yardage against the Colts this season than the Cardinals' 400 yards on Sunday. But, the Colts got the final word when they stopped the Cardinals on a fourth down with the game on the line.

What to make of the QB performance: Daniel Jones didn't have a gaudy stat line -- 22-of-30, 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception -- but he was diligent in not forcing balls into the teeth of a very good Arizona defense. And Jones gets credit for a fourth-quarter game-winning drive when he helped engineer a nine-play, 66-yard drive that ended with the decisive touchdown with 4:32 remaining. -- Stephen Holder

Next game: at Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Cardinals

Should the Cardinals start Jacoby Brissett next week? Unless Kyler Murray is completely, undoubtedly, 100% healthy from his foot injury, then yes. The Cardinals should let Murray rest for another week and into the bye. Brissett played an efficient, relatively clean game and had the Cardinals' offense moving in all four quarters, so playing him isn't a high-risk decision. Even for a team that's lost four in a row, the Cardinals looked as composed offensively as they have all season.

What to make of the QB performance: What Brissett did Sunday afternoon was nothing short of impressive, even if it wasn't enough to win. He started his first game in 371 days and put together a solid, efficient performance running a scheme that he was familiar with from spending the 2022 season with the Browns, who had Arizona's offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork on staff. Even more impressive it that Brissett threw for 320 yards on 27 of 44 passing without receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who left the game in the second quarter with a concussion. -- Josh Weinfuss

Next game: vs. Packers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Seattle 20, Jacksonville 12

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Seahawks

Why are the Seahawks so much better away from Lumen Field? Their win pushes their road records to 3-0 this year and 10-1 in two-plus seasons under Mike Macdonald, who became only the fourth coach in NFL history to win 10 of his first 11 away games. In that same span, they're 4-8 at Lumen Field, where they used to own one of the NFL's best home-field advantages. This latest road win at 10 a.m. PT didn't come easy. They needed a huge day from wide reciver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and seven sacks from their pass rush, which came alive after a poor showing a week earlier.

Trend to watch: The Seahawks could use help at cornerback. With Devon Witherspoon (knee) playing in only two games this year and Riq Woolen (who missed this game with a concussion) often plagued by costly mistakes, Josh Jobe has been their most consistent cornerback. But Jobe struggled Sunday, with one of his several miscalculations resulting in a Jaguars touchdown. Cornerback feels like a position the Seahawks will look to upgrade before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. -- Brady Henderson

Next game: vs. Texans (Monday, 10 p.m. ET)

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Sam Darnold finds AJ Barner deep for 61-yard gain

Sam Darnold launches a 61-yard strike to AJ Barner, who powers through before finally being taken down.

Jaguars

How can the Jaguars generate more sacks? The Jaguars entered Sunday fifth in the NFL in pressures (69) but 27th in sacks (seven), so they've had trouble finishing all season. It didn't help that defensive lineman Travon Walker missed last week's game with a wrist injury or that defensive end Josh Hines-Allen has managed just a half-sack (he entered the season needing 2.5 to set the franchise career record). The only sack they got against Seattle came on a jailbreak blitz, and blitzing more might be what they should do. They entered Sunday 21st in the NFL in blitz percentage at 25.7%.

Stat to know: Before the Jaguars' next-to-last drive, quarterback Trevor Lawrence had been pressured on 25 of his 47 dropbacks (53%). The 25 pressures are the most any quarterback has faced in a game this season, per ESPN Research, and he was later sacked on the third down on that drive. The Seahawks sacked him seven times - which was as many times as he had been sacked in the first five games. -- Mike DiRocco

Next game: vs. Rams (in London) (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. p.m. ET)

Carolina 30, Dallas 27

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Panthers

Are the Panthers legitimate contenders in the NFC South? Yes... maybe. They're .500 (3-3) for the first time since 2021 and playing well with two straight wins. The Bucs got off to a fast start, but Carolina still gets to play them twice. The emergence of running back Rico Dowdle as a star, smashing Christian McCaffrey's (416) team two-game record for scrimmage yards (473), has brought play-action into play for quarterback Bryce Young. He's taking advantage. They have a chance to get three straight wins against the 0-6 Jets.

What to make of the QB performance: Young might finally have arrived. After a rough start to the season, he has five touchdown passes over the past two games, something he's done only one other time. He's been in control of Carolina's offense, as coach Dave Canales has preached. Now, he's getting results. -- David Newton

Next game: vs. Texans (Monday, 10 p.m. ET)

Cowboys

Is it time to make drastic changes on defense? Is it time to make a trade for a legit pass rusher? A linebacker? Is it out of the realm of possibility they do something the Cowboys have not done before: make an in-season coordinator change? The Cowboys had no answers for Dowdle, the ex-Cowboy. They did not put any sustained pressure on Young. They gave up too many big plays again. And with 6:07 to play, the Panthers ran down the clock for the game-winning field goal. These problems have been consistent from the opening week of the season. When it goes poorly, the Cowboys don't have a playmaker, like edge rusher Micah Parsons, to get them out of a funk. The trade deadline is in less than a month.

Trend to watch: The Cowboys were not pleased with their running game last week against the Jets, despite 180 yards on 29 carries. They are certainly less pleased after Sunday. The Cowboys finished with 31 yards on 19 carries and did not have a run longer than six yards. Take away the 66-yard run by running back Javonte Williams in the second quarter against the Jets, and the run game has not had the consistency the Cowboys need. With a defense that is scuffling (to be kind), that's even more pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott to deliver every time. -- Todd Archer

Next game: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

L.A. Rams 17, Baltimore 3

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Rams

What does wide receiver Puka Nacua's injury mean for the Rams? Nacua appeared to be in a lot of pain after injuring his foot in the second quarter but came back into the game early in the third quarter, although he did not have another target. Nacua entered the game leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards, and the Rams will miss him if he is not able to play or is limited because of the foot injury. They have struggled in first halves this season -- averaging 9.8 first-half points per game -- and did not score a first-half touchdown against a Ravens defense that has been among the worst in the league this season.

Stat to know: Rams tight end Tyler Higbee had 8.6 yards of separation when the ball arrived on his 8-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That's the most open a player has been on a touchdown allowed by the Ravens this season, and the second most on a touchdown allowed by the Ravens over the past three seasons. -- Sarah Barshop

Next game: vs. Jaguars (in London) (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. p.m. ET)

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Stafford's 4th-and-3 completion sets up Rams TD

Matthew Stafford makes an amazing throw to Kyren Williams, who comes down with the ball then he rushes in for a touchdown on the next play.

Ravens

Did the Ravens' playoff hopes end Sunday? Recent history says yes. Since the 14-team playoff format started in 2020, only one team -- Washington in 2020 -- started 1-5 and made the playoffs. A preseason Super Bowl favorite, the Ravens have now lost four in a row for the first time in four seasons. They've been outscored 98-33 the past three weeks. The only glimmer of hope is quarterback Lamar Jackson could return from his hamstring injury after the Week 7 bye, when Baltimore's schedule becomes much easier. Over the next six games, the Ravens play one team with a winning record (Vikings). But Baltimore will likely need some of Jackson's heroics to bring them back from this formidable hole.

Stat to know: Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens are 8-26 (.235) when they turn the ball over three or more times. On Sunday, Baltimore committed three turnovers, including an interception and fumble by quarterback Cooper Rush, who was benched in the fourth quarter for Tyler Huntley. The Ravens' three points are their fewest at home since 2002, when they were shut out by the Buccaneers 25-0. Baltimore has lost its past six games without Jackson and has failed to score more than 17 points each time. -- Jamison Hensley

Next game: vs. Bears (Oct. 26, 1 p.m. ET)

Denver 13, N.Y. Jets 11

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Broncos

How did the Broncos manage to keep this game on a razor's edge? Let them count the ways on the flight home from London. The Broncos fumbled on their first possession, had a cascade of penalties on offense -- including a holding penalty in their own end zone that resulted in a third-quarter safety -- and allowed two massive kickoff returns, including a 72-yarder. Add it all up and it almost negated one of the best defensive performances in the league this season that included nine sacks and holding the Jets to minus-11 passing yards. Broncos coach Sean Payton said he believed the offense would find its identity soon, but they certainly didn't find it in north London.

Trend to watch: The Broncos entered Sunday with the league lead in sacks (21) as well as the individual leader in linebacker Nik Bonitto (seven). They showed no signs of slowing down and consistently harassed Justin Fields with a diabolical variety of four- and five-man pressure looks. With three teams in the next four games who were among the top 12 in the league in sacks allowed heading into Sunday's games, the Broncos' pass rush could feast almost until Thanksgiving. -- Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Giants (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

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Broncos defense comes up with game-sealing sack

Jonathon Cooper and Brandon Jones get to Justin Fields to seal the game for the Broncos.

Jets

Should the winless Jets consider a quarterback change? It would be a surprise if coach Aaron Glenn pulls the plug, but let's be honest: Justin Fields struggled mightily against the Broncos. He passed for only 45 yards and took nine sacks. Most of those sacks were on him; he held the ball too long, unable to find his second and third reads when the first was covered. He got no help from offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, whose conservative playcalling reflected no confidence in Fields. That includes a botched two-minute drive at the end of the first half in which they let the last 32 seconds run off the clock without running a play. The Jets also finished with 82 total yards and their minus-10 passing yards was the lowest in team history.

Most surprising performance: The Jets' defense snapped its historic turnover drought with a fumble recovery on the first series -- their first takeaway of the season. The maligned defense, which had a players-only meeting, delivered a winning performance. The Jets blitzed less than usual and held Bo Nix to 174 passing yards. All for naught. -- Rich Cimini

Next game: vs. Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

N.Y. Giants 34, Philadelphia 17

Catch up on the action: Box score | Recap

Giants

How much have Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo changed the feel of the Giants? The rookie duo showed the difference they can make, being involved in all five of the Giants' touchdowns. Three rushing for Skattebo; one rushing and passing for Dart. But they've also brought a different energy. "I feel it," Skattebo said. Both Skattebo and Dart rushed for 23 yards over expectation against the Eagles, per NFL Next Gen Stats. That's indicative of how they play and act. "I think we're just trying to set a standard of intensity here each and every day," said Dart, who also noted that beating the defending champions is naturally a statement win. It helps change the perception of them.

Stat to know: Dart became just the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for at least 50 yards in each of his first three career NFL starts, joining Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. Elite company. Dart ran for 60 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, which doesn't even include the handful of sacks he avoided with his mobility. -- Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Eagles

How concerning is this loss? This bounce-back opportunity devolved into a lopsided loss that will lead to questions about whether there are foundational cracks. The hope externally was the long meeting between A.J. Brown, Hurts and Saquon Barkley would get everyone on the same page and move the team past some early-season frustrations. The offense looked decent in spots, but Hurts' first interception of the season -- a fourth-quarter crusher in the red zone -- highlighted a mistake-riddled performance in all three phases. Philadelphia was outgained in each of its first five games and was outplayed badly by the Giants' less-talented roster. It will be a long 10 days before the Eagles have another chance to course-correct in Minnesota.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Eagles had to have known that the best way to defend Dart was to bottle him in the pocket, especially after facing QBs with similar styles the past two weeks in Baker Mayfield and Bo Nix. But they lost contain on multiple occasions, and it cost them. Dart ran for a 20-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. Later in the frame, he escaped to his right and found Wan'Dale Robinson, who broke a tackle and raced down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown. -- Tim McManus

Next game: at Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)