There are always these types of games during the NFL season, but this week it's hard to ignore a matchup between the 0-5 Redskins, who just fired head coach Jay Gruden, and the 0-4 Dolphins who — at least this week — have not had to deal with players asking to be traded.
It's been a rough season for both organizations. The Dolphins are doing little to hide they are after Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Redskins decided to fire Gruden after the worst start of his career.
As bad as his start this season was though, he fully admitted his time with the Redskins was never completely easy.
"At the end of the day, if you're not the GM, you have to accept the fact that you don't get everything you want," Gruden told ESPN. "You accept the players given to you. I had input in some areas, but there are some major issues there. It's that way with most coaches. You don't have that total say. It's something you have to overcome and work with the guys you have."
Now Washington is turning its gaze to new candidates, and apparently Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is at the top of the team's list.
Pittsburgh's head man though isn't thinking about the Redskins very much. He's concerned about this week.
“I am not worried about that, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin told reporters.
He continued: "Guys, look: I’m the head coach of a 1-4 football team that’s going on the road to play a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback with my third quarterback. You think I’m worried about anything this week other than that?”
So we'll see who wins in Miami this week and which fanbase is disappointed at falling behind in Tanking for Tua.
In the meantime, here's your NFL Week 6 countdown:
3 must-see NFL Week 6 games
Texans (3-2) at Chiefs (4-1), 1 p.m. ET Sunday (CBS) — It's the "Bears Regret which Quarterback They Drafted Bowl" as Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes face off in Kansas City. The difference in this game though might be an ailing Chiefs defense facing Watson a week after he went 28-of-33 passing for 426 yards and five touchdowns with a perfect quarterback rating.
49ers (4-0) at Rams (3-2), 4:05 p.m. (Fox) — The 49ers gave a pretty good indication that they're for real by dominating a Browns offense that one week before undressed a solid Ravens defense. But facing a team with a Super Bowl appearance last season is certainly a test — if passed — that can show a team what it really is.
Lions (2-1-1) at Packers (4-1), 8:20 p.m. ET Monday (ESPN) — The Lions have shown through the first quarter of the season that they can play with anyone, and apart from one quarter against the Cardinals, they have been flat-out ready to play every single game. The Packers are a different challenge with the eighth-ranked scoring defense. Nothing will come easy for Matt Stafford in this one.
2 players to watch in NFL Week 6
Ross Cockrell, CB, Panthers — Fellow Carolina corner James Bradbury showed he could slow down Mike Evans in the Panthers' Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers, but what really cost the Panthers in that game was Chris Godwin, who had eight catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers have to do more than merely limit Evans in this one, even though Bradbury showed he can do that. Cockrell will have to play better against Godwin if Carolina hopes to win its fourth in a row.
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Jets — Statistically the Cowboys have been good on defense, and Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylen Smith look as if they are foundational pieces for Dallas for years to come. However, the Cowboys gave up four rushing touchdowns to Aaron Jones last week, and Bell is a handful no matter what his previous performance has been this season (hint: it hasn't been great). Bell has an opportunity to break out, and with QB Sam Darnold back in the lineup, the Jets could be primed for a good performance on offense this week.
1 bold NFL Week 6 prediction
Lamar Jackson will be responsible for four TDs — The Ravens quarterback started this season on fire but has been only so-so in recent weeks, throwing five interceptions and taking nine sacks in Weeks 4 and 5. But this week he's taking on the lowly Bengals, who are just about last in every defensive category this season. He'll run for at least one touchdown and throw for another three.