Each week, Yardbarker highlights the most important people leading into the week’s NFL games.
From players to coaches and beyond, here are the 10 most important people to keep an eye on in Week 6.
Owner Woody Johnson | New York Jets
Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Monday after a 2-3 start and a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. After canning Saleh, Johnson said the 2024 roster is “one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets.”
The timing of Saleh’s firing makes little sense when factoring in quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the main reason the Jets lost to the Vikings on Sunday. Rodgers threw three interceptions, including a pick-six. Plus, the Jets are heading into an AFC East matchup against the 3-2 Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football.”
If the Jets beat the Bills on Monday, they’ll lead the division. If the Jets lose to the Bills and subsequently extend their postseason drought to 14 seasons, Johnson will deservedly receive most of the blame.
HC Sean McDermott | Buffalo Bills
The Bills started 3-0, but the wins came against losing teams (Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars). Now they’re 3-2 after losing 35-10 to the Baltimore Ravens and 23-20 to the Houston Texans.
McDermott’s coaching decisions are under a microscope, especially his poor clock management in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter versus Houston with the score tied at 20. After three incomplete passes and a Buffalo punt, the Texans got in field-goal range and Ka’imi Fairbairn booted a 59-yarder as time expired.
QB Drake Maye | New England Patriots
Maye, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick, will be making his starting debut against the 4-1 Houston Texans. The Texans rank No. 8 in sacks (15) and the Patriots rank No. 2 in sacks allowed (19). This isn’t an ideal matchup for Maye, but it’s better late than never for a New England team that’s 1-4 and destined to be one of the league’s worst teams.
QB Jayden Daniels | Washington Commanders
The 2024 No. 2 overall pick has played phenomenally for the Commanders (4-1). Daniels ranks No. 3 in ESPN’s Total QBR at 73.2 and leads the NFL in completion percentage at 77.1. Per ESPN, Daniels is the first player in NFL history to surpass 1,000 passing and 250 rushing yards in his first five games.
Daniels’ next test is quite the quarterback matchup: He’s going up against QB Lamar Jackson and the 3-2 Ravens and their prolific offense in Baltimore.
HC Jim Harbaugh | Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers started 2-0 but dropped their past two against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. L.A. is coming off a bye and is on the road in Week 6 against the 3-2 Denver Broncos. Harbaugh is 3-1 against Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
A win will get the Chargers back on track but a loss could start raising doubts about the team’s direction.
QB Deshaun Watson | Cleveland Browns
Watson’s 21.0 QBR ranks No. 31 in the league and his 852 passing yards rank No. 26. Front Office Sports reported in September that Watson still has $92M in guaranteed money remaining on his contract, which must be the only reason he’s still starting.
The Browns, who play at Philadelphia in Week 6, would be better off with Jameis Winston as their QB1. He has 80 NFL starts and can’t be any worse than Watson.
HC Doug Pederson | Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars (1-4) beat the Indianapolis Colts, 37-34, in Week 5 for their first win of the season. Pederson is 19-20 with the Jaguars and could wind up being fired if they miss the postseason for the second season in a row.
In Week 6, Jacksonville heads to London to face the 3-2 Chicago Bears. The Jets fired their head coach after their loss in London. Pederson will be hoping he doesn’t suffer the same fate if Jacksonville falls in England.
HC Zac Taylor | Cincinnati Bengals
If the 1-4 Bengals fall to the 2-3 New York Giants on Sunday night, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes could be dead. With QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and DE Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals were expected to compete for a Super Bowl. Owner Mike Brown has a track record of being patient with head coaches, but Taylor can’t afford for this season to become embarrassing. A loss to the Giants would be embarrassing.
QB Aidan O’Connell | Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have benched Gardner Minshew and are rolling with second-year player O’Connell against the 3-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Purdue product was 5-5 as Raiders starter last season, throwing for 2,218 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Going with O’Connell is the right move. Minshew’s arm strength is limited and O’Connell can at least keep safeties honest and not cheat up to short and intermediate areas.
HC Shane Steichen | Indianapolis Colts
Steichen must choose whether to start 2023 No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, who could be available after suffering an oblique injury in Week 4, or veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco has been the better QB, throwing for 527 yards, five touchdowns, zero interceptions and posting a 70% completion rate. Richardson has three TD passes, six interceptions and a 50.6% completion rate.
The 2-3 Colts play at the 1-3 Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The QB call seems like a no-brainer for Steichen.
