National Football League

NFL Week 6: Best Games to Watch

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Spiller (28) celebrates with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after he caught a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Which games will be the most exciting to watch in NFL Week 6?

If football fans enjoyed the first five weeks of the regular season, just wait until they see what’s in store for the top games of NFL Week 6.

Last weekend saw two previously undefeated teams fall in the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos as the Minnesota Vikings are now the only remaining team in the NFL, which is impressive when considering everything they’ve had to overcome. To top it off, the Broncos already suffered another loss on Thursday to the San Diego Chargers to give them their second loss of the 2016 season. That certainly puts team in a tough spot moving forward as they now trail the Oakland Raiders in the division.

Despite everything that has happened already in the early season, football fans have plenty to be thankful for when looking at the slate of games in store for Sunday as there are plenty of games that stand out when it comes to being epic showdowns. From a certain wide receiver on the Washington Redskins squaring off against his former team to a desperate team in the Cincinnati Bengals anxious to get back on the winning track, here’s a look at the top five games for NFL Week 6.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

5. Eagles vs. Redskins

Even though he’s in the middle of his third season with the Washington Redskins, it’s always fun to watch DeSean Jackson go against the team that drafted him in 2008 in the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, the situation is different this time around now that Chip Kelly is no longer part of the Eagles after the head coach was fired prior to the regular season finale in 2015. It’s no secret Kelly was the main reason why Jackson was sent packing from Philadelphia. And now that the head coach is no longer part of the organization, it’s safe to say there’s no hard feelings on Jackson’s end.

Still, Sunday’s matchup between the Redskins and Eagles is still an important one when it comes to the standings in the NFC East. Philadelphia may be in good shape following a 3-1 start, but Washington is the team to keep an eye on as this team has won three straight after an 0-2 start.

Division rivalries are always entertaining to watch, and when looking at the history between these two teams over the last few years thanks to Jackson joining the Redskins, there’s every reason to believe this matchup will live up to the hype.

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Chiefs vs. Raiders

At the beginning of the regular season, who would have thought it would be the Oakland Raiders sitting on top of the AFC West alone heading into their Week 6 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs?

Obviously, this wasn’t the case a few day ago when considering the Denver Broncos suffered their second loss of the season after falling to the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, but the Raiders aren’t complaining as they control their own destiny moving forward. If Oakland can find a way to pull off another win against their division rivals in Kansas City, it would make an even bigger statement when it comes to proving themselves as serious contenders in the AFC.

While the Raiders have emerged as one of the hottest teams in football as they continue to pull off impressive, the Chiefs could use a win of their own against a contender after they were embarrassed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. Kansas City may be well rested after their bye week. But this team still has plenty of work to do when it comes to proving they’re worthy of being contenders.

A win against Oakland won’t be easy, but it’s certainly possible for Kansas City to get back in the hunt for the division.

Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratules tight end Martellus Bennett (88) on his second quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bengals vs. Patriots

Prior to the start of the 2016 season, a game between the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots seemed to have the potential of being a possible early preview of two teams that could end up meeting in the postseason. While all signs point to the Patriots playing deep into January, the Bengals still have a long road to overcome when it comes to getting back in the discussion of serious contenders in the AFC.

As if losing twice to serious contenders in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos wasn’t bad enough, the Bengals were absolutely embarrassed last weekend by the Dallas Cowboys. It took this team until the fourth quarter just to score a single point. With all of the weapons Cincinnati has on offense, there’s no reason why this should be happening.

So why on earth would this game make the list if the Bengals are playing this bad? Well, last weekend’s performance against Dallas is the perfect motivation for Cincinnati to come out firing against New England. If the defense can figure out a way to keep Tom Brady in line, the Bengals may actually have a chance to pull out a win in this one.

Oct 9, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2. Cowboys vs. Packers

Over the years, the Dallas Cowboys have a history of struggling when Tony Romo is injured and watching from the sidelines. But this season is different. With Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott shining as rookies running the offense, the Cowboys look like a serious contender in the NFC. However, they still have plenty to prove.

If they can find a way to pull off a win at Lambeau, it would be the ultimate statement when it comes to proving they belong in the conversation of playoff contenders.

Normally, road teams have a history with struggling at Lambeau Field, but the Green Bay Packers just haven’t been the same team at home over the few years. Even this season, Aaron Rodgers just doesn’t seem to be the same quarterback as he’s coming off a game against the New York Giants in which he threw two interceptions, one of which came on a deflected pass.

The Packers may be favorites heading into Sunday. Still, don’t sleep on the Cowboys and their four-game winning streak as they look to maintain their spot on top of the NFC East. With the way this team has been playing over their last four games, Dallas is capable of beating any team.

Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) carries the ball in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. Falcons vs. Seahawks

After losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, who would have thought the Atlanta Falcons would go on to win their next four games to sit at 4-1 heading into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks?

As if winning four in a row since Week 1 wasn’t already impressive, the Falcons deserve all of the credit in the world for pulling off a rare road win against the Denver Broncos in Week 5. When taking a closer look the number of offenses the Denver’s defense had kept in check over the first three weeks of the regular season, Atlanta has every reason to feel confident heading into their Week 6 road game against Seattle.

If the Falcons can go on the road and defeat the defending Super Bowl champions, why shouldn’t they be able to do the same against the Seahawks?

With the way Seattle’s offense has looked over their previous two games, the only chance Atlanta is going to have in this one is if their defense plays like they did against Denver in Week 5. Otherwise, the Falcons could be in for a long afternoon, especially when looking at well the Seahawks’ offense tends to play at home.