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Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers displayed a dynamic offensive performance against the New Orleans Saints, while Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions showcased their scoring prowess in a dominant game against the Dallas Cowboys. Other teams like the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and Baltimore Ravens also made substantial contributions to an offensive-driven Week 6.
In this week’s action, nine teams surpassed 30 points. Detroit’s impressive 47 points against a depleted Cowboys squad and Tampa Bay’s extraordinary 51 points in New Orleans highlighted a week where offense reigned supreme. Mayfield’s three interceptions hindered what could have been a record-setting game, as the Buccaneers recorded the second-highest point total in their history. “That was a full group effort on offense,” Mayfield commented on the team’s performance.
With the Monday night matchup between the Bills and Jets yet to take place, the average score of 49.7 points per game so far this week is the highest of the season. Six teams amassed over 400 yards of total offense, with five more exceeding 350 yards. Tampa Bay (4-2) led the charge, achieving a franchise-record 594 total yards, marking the second-largest total ever allowed by the Saints. Mayfield ended the day with 325 yards and four touchdowns, while Sean Tucker added 136 rushing yards. The Buccaneers also became only the fifth team in NFL history to achieve at least 300 passing yards alongside 275 rushing yards in a single game. “Putting up 51 points with three turnovers shows our potential,” stated wide receiver Chris Godwin. “This versatility in our offense will be essential as we navigate a challenging schedule ahead.”
The Lions capitalized on a Cowboys defense missing key players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson even experimenting with unusual plays aimed at getting an offensive lineman into the end zone. Despite a couple of close calls, including a dropped pass from tackle-eligible Taylor Decker in the end zone, Goff still managed to throw for 315 yards and three touchdowns, leading Detroit (4-1) to a remarkable 492-yard performance, marking Dallas’s (3-3) third consecutive home loss. “Things are starting to click,” Goff reflected. “It took us a few weeks, but we’ve found our rhythm.”
Given many teams chose to rest their starters or limit their playtime during preseason, it took a while for offensive strategies to gel. Week 1 saw teams averaging 45.8 points per game, which then decreased to 39.6 in Week 2 and 41.6 in Week 3, before steadily climbing. Early on, passing statistics were down, but that is no longer the case.
This week, eight quarterbacks surpassed 250 yards, including four surpassing 300. Three quarterbacks threw for four touchdowns apiece, while four others achieved three touchdown passes. “There’s always room for improvement,” remarked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson after Baltimore’s narrow 30-23 victory over Washington. Jackson threw for 323 yards, while Derrick Henry contributed with 132 rushing yards, propelling the Ravens (4-2) to 484 total yards.
In Houston, C.J. Stroud registered three touchdown passes in the Texans’ 41-21 triumph over the New England Patriots, marking a challenging start for rookie QB Drake Maye. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins managed 225 yards passing as the Falcons (4-2) defeated the Carolina Panthers 38-20, with a notable contribution on the ground as well, totaling 198 rushing yards, primarily through Tyler Allgeier (105) and Bijan Robinson (95).
The Chicago Bears capped the week with a surge, scoring four consecutive touchdowns in a 35-16 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Caleb Williams continued to shine with a passer rating over 100 for the third consecutive game, completing 79.3% of his passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns.
Jordan Love also excelled, tying his career high with four touchdown passes to lead the Green Bay Packers (4-2) to a 34-13 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers amassed 437 yards and initially established a commanding 24-0 lead, as the Cardinals struggled with just one first down within their first four drives. “Our goal was to start fast and get into that rhythm,” Love explained, and the Packers succeeded, mimicking the success of several other teams this Sunday.
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