The sports calendar has reached its climax here in mid-October, with the NFL in full swing, one of the greatest MLB postseasons underway, and NHL & NBA right around the corner. Through just over a month, offenses have finally been able to get things going, and certain teams are out to Super Bowl caliber starts. Here are the top storylines i saw from NFL Sunday, Week Six.
NFC North = Best Division in Football – As things stand today, the entire NFC North has above a 50% chance to make the playoffs this year. This would obviously be the first time in NFL history an entire division has made the playoffs, since it only became possible in the 2021 season with seven playoff teams. One of the crazier statistics is that all four NFC North teams are 1,2,3,4 in point differential across the entire NFL. Although these teams will go head to head for multiple games this season, and could potentially spell trouble for either the Bears or Packers who through six weeks seems like one of these two squads will get the short end of the stick.
The Ravens should be the Most Feared Team – After an 0-2 start, things starting look grim very early for Baltimore. But over the last four weeks, they have been the most dangerous squad in football. Everybody knew coming into this season that Derrick Henry would be a focal point of this offense, but he has steamrolled opponents en route to a historic rushing attack for the Ravens. The 2019 Baltimore squad with Jackson and Mark Ingram set the NFL record with 3,296 yards, averaging 206 per game. The 2024 team is currently averaging 205 Y/PG, on pace for 3,485 total rushing yards with a 17-game season. The biggest issue with the Ravens last year was their inability to close out games with a consistent rushing attack, and with Henry, who is nicknamed “The Closer” that narrative should be put to bed.
Lions are the clear NFC favorite – Despite losing their best defensive player Aidan Hutchinson for the year with a broken tibia, Detroit absolutely ragdolled the Cowboys in Dallas on Sunday. Ben Johnson was toying with Dallas’ defense, running trick flea flickers, laterals, and even having offensive lineman Dan Skipper line up as a wide receiver in the 4th quarter. It can not be understated how crucial OC Ben Johnson & DC Aaron Glen are to this teams success. They are far and away the best coordinators in football, who are taking full advantage of one the most talented rosters in football. With the 4th best Odds to win the Superbowl, I believe that by the end of the regular season, they will jump up all the way to #1.
Week 6 Gambling Nugget – For the first time since Week 15 of the 2017 Season, every single favorite won outright on Thursday/Sunday. According to ESPN’s stats and information, Since 1970, There have only been three previous times this has occurred. Week 9 of 2005, Week 5 of 2006, and Week 15 of 2017. The Bills have a chance to finish the favorite train tonight, and i can only imagine the damage sportsbooks are under today after Sundays NFL slate.
