2020 NFL Week 6 Recap

Cardinals 38
Cowboys 10

Kyler Murray’s Monday Night Football debut was just about everything he could ask for — the Texas product handed the Cowboys their worst loss in Jerry World, where he’s still undefeated all-time. Arizona should be filing a petition to return to the NFC East.

Well, if I’m being precise, Big D handed themselves this big L by turning the ball over four times (a season-long theme), which led to 24 Cardinals points. Do the math. And you’ll need a calculator to tally the points allowed by a Dallas defense that’s allowed the fifth-most points through six games in NFL history. Much like their next opponent, it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback — this team is a dumpster fire.

Chiefs 26
Bills 17

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Patrick Mahomes is a quarterbacking god, the Kansas City defense is playing above expectations and Buffalo has historically been bad against defending champions. But here’s what should make NFL defensive coordinators wake up in a cold sweat: The Chiefs haven’t even played Le’Veon Bell yet and still ran roughshod over a good Bills defense for 245 rushing yards on 46 attempts — the most ever for an Andy Reid offense in his 22-year head coaching career. If this is suddenly a two-dimensional juggernaut, nothing can stop KC from repeating as champs.

Rams 16
49ers 24

San Francisco dominated the first leg of its seven-game gauntlet, overcoming a litany of injuries to win a key divisional game that leads me to wonder if the Rams are any good when they’re not feasting on the lousy NFC East. We’ll find out when L.A. hosts the Bears next Monday night.

Packers 10
Bucs 38

Aaron Rodgers threw a stunningly rare Pick Six, Tom Brady reestablished his connection with Gronk and Tampa Bay had its second penalty-free game in franchise history. Despite Rodgers’ spin, this is a statement win for the Bucs that might also give them the leg up on Green Bay in a potential playoff rematch.

Jets 0
Dolphins 24

Only the New York Jets can follow up a breathtakingly incredible interception with a 28-yard loss on a sack to kill the ensuing drive. Adam Gase is Exhibit A in the case against the NFL for its inequity in coaching hires.

But it was a great story for Miami. For the first time, Brian Flores was a favorite and Tua was on the field to set up a special moment after the game. I have a feeling this team is going to be pretty good in 2021.

Washington 19
Giants 20

Fact: The Giants’ only touchdowns were scored off of Kyle Allen turnovers, each more mindnumbingly terrible than the last. If Ron Rivera is truly trying to win now, putting the game in the hands of a turnover machine makes no sense whatsoever. It’s starting to look like Washington’s only path to victory in a bad division involves playing Alex Smith at QB.

Ravens 30
Eagles 28

Philadelphia is desperate and Baltimore struggles against the run without Brandon Williams, so maybe the Eagles’ comeback shouldn’t be a total surprise. Regardless, the Ravens’ streak of 29 straight games scoring 20+ points is tied with “The Greatest Show on Turf” Rams for the second longest such streak in NFL history, and their 5-1 record puts them on pace to meet my lofty expectations. Count on a playoff atmosphere when the Steelers come to Charm City in two weeks.

Browns 7
Steelers 38

Pittsburgh is the first team since the 1985 Giants to record at least three sacks and an interception in each of its first five games and stopped any talk that Cleveland is ready to push its way into the division race. Losing Devin Bush is a huge blow, but the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is about to ramp up again.

Broncos 18
Patriots 12

A rusty Cam Newton’s Denver nightmare continued, and New England is below .500 after five games for the first time since 2002 — the last season the Patriots failed to win 10 games. The Pats’ playoff streak could be next to fall if they lose to the Niners and Bills the next two weeks.

Falcons 40
Vikings 23

Kirk Cousins, who had the worst first half against one of the worst defenses in the league, is playing so badly right now even he knows he should be benched. I’m not sure how Mike Zimmer comes back for 2021 if the Vikings don’t have a massive turnaround starting immediately.

Bears 23
Panthers 16

Chicago starting 5-1 has to be one of the most unbelievable developments of the first half of the NFL season. If the Bears win any of their next three games (at Rams, Saints, at Titans) they’re almost certainly a playoff team — whether or not they actually look like one.

Lions 34
Jaguars 16

Matthew Stafford — who, quiet as it’s kept, has a little Mahomes in him — now has a TD pass against every NFL team outside of Detroit. But don’t get it twisted: The Lions still owe Jim Caldwell an apology.

Bengals 27
Colts 31

It’s so bad in Cincinnati, it’s actually progress to amass a 21-point lead on the road before letting Philip Rivers, of all people, beat them Bengals. Yikes.

Texans 36
Titans 42 (OT)

While many are questioning Romeo Crennel’s questionable late decision to go for a two-point conversion, I kind of see what he was thinking. Derrick Henry gashed the Texans defense for a career-high 264 scrimmage yards, including a 94-yard touchdown run, and the only way to beat him is to outscore him. If Henry even plays half as well against the Steelers next week, Tennessee is a runaway train on collision course with Kansas City in an AFC title game rematch.

Speaking of King Henry …

Bills 16
Titans 42

I know this game was part of last week’s slate, but A) it wasn’t added to the NFL Week 5 Recap and B) I couldn’t help circling back to make sure everyone’s seen Josh Norman’s soul get harvested by Derrick Henry. We finally have the perfect encapsulation of Norman’s tenure in Washington.