After six weeks of NFL action, the biggest takeaways are that QB Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs proved he’s one of the league’s elite passers, and the New England Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC.
Meanwhile, can anyone take down the undefeated Rams? Mason Crosby kicked the game-winning FG for the Packers to bounce back after the worst day of his career. The L.A. Chargers are 4-2 thanks to a three-touchdown game from Melvin Gordon. Lastly, the Oakland Raiders are off to a horrendous 1-5 start and not getting any better.
1. Patrick Mahomes = Real Deal
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes faced his biggest test of the season and passed against Bill Belichick who had extra time to prepare for the game (the Patriots played a Thursday Night Football game the previous week). Sure, the Patriots won 43-40 on Tom Brady’s home turf, but Mahomes overcame a shaky first half (2 INT and zero TD) and threw 4 touchdowns in the second half to finish with 352 passing yards.
2. Belichick Is Wicked Smart
The New England Patriots improved to 4-2 after a 1-2 start. Everyone knew that it was a matter of time before the Bill Belichick got his team on the right track. The Patriots added WR Josh Gordon to the offense and he’s been a welcomed addition. Tom Brady also got back his favorite target, Julian Edelman, who sat out the first four games due to a substance abuse violation.
The Patriots are also thrilled that rookie RB Sony Michel from Georgia has come into his own. Michel rushed for 106 yards and 2 TD in the win over Kansas City.
The Patriots are currently listed as 6/1 odds (via South Point Casino in Las Vegas) to win the Super Bowl.
3. Two-Pronged Rams Could Be Toughest in Football
The Rams (6-0) faced two tough road opponents and won two close games. The Rams went into Seattle, the loudest stadium in the NFL, and edged out the Seahawks 33-31 in Week 5. Last week, the Rams beat the Broncos 23-20 in the first winter-like game of the season. With Jared Goff unable to get the passing game going, Todd Gurley stepped up and destroyed the Broncos for 208 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Rams can beat you in the air (#5 ranked passing game) and on the ground (#1 ranked rushing attack). If you want to stop the Rams, you have to figure out how to thwart Sean McVay’s two-headed monster that generates a league-leading 464.3 yards per game and 32.7 points per game (3rd overall).
The Rams are currently 2/1 odds to win the Super Bowl.
4. Mason Crosby Bounces Back
In Week 5, Mason Crosby missed 5 kicks including 4 FGs in an ugly loss for the Packers. On Sunday Night Football, Crosby bounced back with a perfect game in Lambeau Field going 4 for 4 on FGs. Crosby kicked a 51-yarder and then added a game-winner as time expired to lead the Packers to a 33-30 win against the San Francisco Niners.
? 4 field goals
? 3 extra points
? Game winner as time expires @crosbykicks2 is the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 6! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/ki89L8kXFH— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 17, 2018
5. Here Comes Melvin Gordon
The Chargers (4-2) unleashed Melvin Gordon and he tore up the Dog Pound. The Cleveland Browns were undefeated at home until the L.A. Chargers blew through town. Phil Rivers (1,702 passing yards, 15 TD,68/6% completion rate) is quietly having an exceptional season, but Melvin Gordon was the star of the game with 3 touchdowns and 132 rushing yards.
The Chargers are 0-2 against winning teams, but those losses were against the Chiefs and Rams.
6. Les Miserables in Oakland
Jon Gruden did not envision the Raiders would be 1-5 after their first six games, including an embarrassing 27-3 blowout against the Seahawks in Wembley Stadium in London, England.
The Raiders have been abysmal with a poor offense generating only 18.3 points per game (ranked #28 out of 32) and a bad defense allowing 29.3 ppg (ranked #28 out of 32).
The Raiders gambled on the former host of Monday Night Football, even though Gruden had not coached in the last ten years. Gruden talked a good game in the media and generated significant buzz, but that’s all. Gruden’s sole only win was a 45-42 shootout at home against the Browns, who were coming off the hangover of their first win in two seasons.
Before the Raiders boarded their flight home from London to Oakland, word got out that starting QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper would be on the trading block. The Raiders are throwing in the towel and looking to rebuild next season before eventually moving to Las Vegas in 2020.
