2019 NFL Week 6 Recap

By Rob Woodfork
October 14, 2019 | 3:33 AM

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Devlin Hodges #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball down the field against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. — <b><i>Steelers 24</i></b> <b><i>Chargers 17</i></b> On a night when the literal last man standing among the QB Class of '04 was supposed to <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/12/rivers-closing-in-on-eli-ben-on-career-passing-yards-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strut past his contemporaries</a>, Philip Rivers was outplayed in his own stadium by <a href="https://twitter.com/SNFonNBC/status/1182784388863614977?s=20">undrafted duck caller Devlin Hodges</a> to fall from playoff contender to last-place afterthought. But give Mike Tomlin credit: Pittsburgh is some <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/juju-smith-schuster-calls-overtime-fumble-that-led-to-steelers-loss-the-worst-feeling-ever/">bad JuJu</a> away from going 3-0 after their 0-3 start, even amid an onslaught of injuries and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27835125/source-mike-tomlin-redskins-far-fetched-browns-gm-denies-obj-trade-rumor">bogus rumors</a> of leaving the Steel City for a quasi-homecoming in Washington. This probably isn't a playoff team but it's one that won't be an easy game on the schedule.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets rushes against the Dallas Cowboys in fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. — <b><i>Cowboys 22</i></b> <b><i>Jets 24</i></b> Sam Darnold returned from mono to lead Gang Green to their first home win in a calendar year, and BWAHAHAHAHA DALLAS! HAHAHAHA!

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans is sacked against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. — <b><i>Titans 0</i></b> <b><i>Broncos 16</i></b> How do you know your season is over? When your coach says, “We’re really just trying to find a way to move the football, score some points,” when justifying playing Ryan Tannehill in a game against a Joe Flacco-led team. Yikes.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. — <div><b><i>Falcons 33</i></b></div> <div><b><i>Cardinals 34</i></b></div> <div></div> <div>Give it up for Kyler Murray, y'all. The rookie outdueled a former MVP and became only the third player in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in half of his first six games. His future is bright, even if Arizona's present fortunes aren't necessarily.</div> <div></div> <div>And if this was Step 1 of <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/dan-quinn-has-three-games-to-turn-things-around/">Dan Quinn's three-week process</a> of turning around the most disappointing team in the league … he's already fired.</div>

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 13: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams and Dante Fowler #56 put pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers who would fumble the ball in the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. San Francisco won 20-7. — <b><i>49ers 20</i></b> <b><i>Rams 7</i></b> Considering this is what <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/09/nick-bosa-says-jared-goff-hasnt-done-anything-to-anger-him-yet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/09/nick-bosa-says-jared-goff-hasnt-done-anything-to-anger-him-yet/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNHH2cnRq3dHaFieQ4SLWnv0GMO70A">the Niners defense does to a QB they're not mad at</a>, Kyle Shanahan is <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/11/kyle-shanahan-embraces-the-challenge-of-replacing-injured-players/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/11/kyle-shanahan-embraces-the-challenge-of-replacing-injured-players/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNH88CWDX-Tc6GOckQ4uh2c0w9CADg">proverbially plugging his fingers in holes</a> extremely well and Jimmy G <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1183524732295110657?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1183524732295110657?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNGA3fSzXOqgC7Qs-v4L6Q7zJeODMw">wins more than DJ Khaled</a>, San Francisco looks poised to run away with a division that's a helluva lot closer than most expected it to be at this point in the season.

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens scrambles during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. — <b><i>Bengals 17</i></b> <b><i>Ravens 23</i></b> Lamar Jackson has three 100-yard rushing games — two against Cincinnati alone — in his first two seasons, which matches only Billy Kilmer in the last 70 years. Every record Michael Vick owns is in jeopardy, and Baltimore gets a front-row seat for one of the greatest shows the NFL has to offer.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Minneapolis. — <b><i>Eagles 20</i></b> <b><i>Vikings 38</i></b> Given the difference between what Zach Brown had to say about Kirk Cousins <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/11/zach-brown-trashes-kirk-cousins-ahead-of-sundays-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/11/zach-brown-trashes-kirk-cousins-ahead-of-sundays-game/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNGx4NNcj9uon8gBdTy20cQRZeqkFw">before</a> this game and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/zach-brown-doesnt-want-to-talk-about-kirk-cousins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/zach-brown-doesnt-want-to-talk-about-kirk-cousins/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNFWiAu0i0ZWSo3vzyryQGauTw87Mw">after</a>, I shall heretofore refer to Brown as Smokey because this felt a lot like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw31fE_AWsI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DKw31fE_AWsI&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNF09WA4twTkBpxtxjT8KlEwAW57QA">his (NSFW) attitude about Deebo</a>. If Philly misses the playoffs, we'll certainly point to this early-season underachieving.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris (11) is brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Andrew Wingard, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. — <em><strong>Saints 13</strong></em> <em><strong>Jaguars 6</strong></em>

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Bashaud Breeland #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs holds on to the jersey of Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. — <b><i>Texans 31</i></b> <b><i>Chiefs 24</i></b> I see you, Carlos Hyde. The former Chief helped Houston pull off a big road win to spoil Tyreek Hill's return and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/carlos-hyde-league-should-be-on-notice-after-this-win/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/carlos-hyde-league-should-be-on-notice-after-this-win/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182804000&usg=AFQjCNH8e1zlF7OTdZCaxjclQHyuR25vPg">put us on notice</a> that the Texans are for real. A win in Indy next week will hammer home that point.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, right, scrambles against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Cleveland. — <b><i>Seahawks 32</i></b> <b><i>Browns 28</i></b> Ohio-native Russell Wilson's first game in Cleveland went a helluva lot better than any of the three Baker Mayfield has played there this season. The Browns are 2-4, including an 0-3 start at home, and it's starting to look like this team is closer to <a href="https://riggosrag.com/2019/06/27/redskins-2000-super-team-not/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://riggosrag.com/2019/06/27/redskins-2000-super-team-not/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182805000&usg=AFQjCNGCUPsk5Lz2IlxFnGsPkqs6MQycxA">the Fortune .500 Redskins</a> than anything resembling their preseason hype.

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) reacts during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. — <b><i>Panthers 37</i></b> <b><i>Bucs 26</i></b> Jameis Winston established himself as the heir apparent to Blake Bortles for the title of "<a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1183408328875106311?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1183408328875106311?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1571101182805000&usg=AFQjCNGQOO5Hxt2HC4VDIB2jYct6WxLl5Q">The Human Turnover</a>," and <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/panthers-used-gerald-mccoys-knowledge-of-jameis-winston-against-him/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/10/13/panthers-used-gerald-mccoys-knowledge-of-jameis-winston-against-him/&source=gmail&ust=1571101182805000&usg=AFQjCNGFyBP3iD392thOZojah-V_mjRifA">Gerald McCoy was a big reason why</a>. With the Panthers defense swarming, Riverboat Ron <a href="https://deadspin.com/the-panthers-tried-an-ultra-rare-fair-catch-kick-1839009200?utm_source=deadspin_facebook&utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://deadspin.com/the-panthers-tried-an-ultra-rare-fair-catch-kick-1839009200?utm_source%3Ddeadspin_facebook%26utm_campaign%3Dsocialflow_deadspin_facebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocialflow&source=gmail&ust=1571101182805000&usg=AFQjCNH5dtV8tGIsj9MIgFuLSg_-CM6UwQ">exploiting obscure rules</a> and Christian McCaffrey helping Kyle Allen play way above his own head, Carolina looks destined for a wild card playoff spot.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 10: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a one-yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the game at Gillette Stadium on October 10, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. — <b><i>Giants 14</i></b> <b><i>Patriots 35</i></b> On a night when Tom Brady passed longtime rival Peyton Manning for the second-most passing yards in NFL history, Tom Terrific became the oldest player in NFL history to rush for two touchdowns in a game and the Patriots' defense <a href="https://deadspin.com/its-neat-to-think-of-the-patriots-someday-playing-again-1838959982?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_facebook&utm_source=deadspin_facebook&fbclid=IwAR1RAs3CsXoHe1wNlNdRvgZWjBdY9luEwZJx4QWnzy9zpgh_DcmqIl8H9yg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dominated another patsy</a> to extend their home win streak to 19 games. Go figure.

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Some ineffective mind control, an accidental “win” and divine intervention headline the NFL Week 6 Recap.

Quarterback Alex Smith’s grueling road to recovery chronicled in ESPN program

By CNN
April 28, 2020 | 10:34 PM

NFL quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury that put his career in jeopardy and had him fighting for his life, and his long and grueling road to recovery is chronicled in an upcoming one-hour program from ESPN called "Project 11." The leg injury occurred Nov. 18, 2018, in the third quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans. After being sacked by the Texans' J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson, Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula.

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