NFL Week 6 Winners and Losers: Fred Warner Injury Could Finally Derail 49ers

The NFL is steadily marching toward midseason, with the trade deadline looming on November 4. After Monday night’s doubleheader – featuring the Buffalo Bills visiting the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders hosting the Chicago Bears – it’s clear that early-season excuses are running thin. With one-third of the 2025 campaign already behind us, teams must face the reality of their positions and chart a course for the second half of the season. Week 6 offered thrilling contests, with six games decided by a single score, leaving little room for complacency. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from the latest slate of games.

Winners

Rico Dowdle – Carolina Panthers

Rico Dowdle has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in the absence of injured starter Chuba Hubbard. Stepping into the spotlight once again, the sixth-year running back racked up 183 rushing yards and set a franchise single-game record with 239 yards from scrimmage in a 30-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The performance was particularly satisfying for Dowdle, who played for Dallas for five seasons before the team opted for a new lead back this offseason. After issuing a warning to the Cowboys last week that they needed to “buckle up,” Dowdle made his point emphatically on the field. His physical running style and record-setting day made him the standout in an otherwise tight NFC matchup.

Kansas City Chiefs Offense

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has faced criticism in recent weeks for failing to find its rhythm. But Sunday’s 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions demonstrated just how dangerous this unit can be. Patrick Mahomes delivered a masterclass performance, throwing four touchdowns and slicing apart a struggling Lions secondary with precision passing. Travis Kelce led the receiving corps with six catches for 78 yards, but the contributions of Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster highlighted the depth of the Chiefs’ options. While still not the explosively dynamic offense Mahomes envisioned during the offseason, this version is efficient, effective, and very much a threat—especially with Rashee Rice expected to return next week.

Drake Maye – New England Patriots

Drake Maye continues to impress as the Patriots’ offensive engine. Against the New Orleans Saints, Maye threw three touchdowns, completing 18-of-26 passes for 261 yards despite two controversial offensive pass interference penalties that erased long gains. Beyond his arm, Maye led New England in rushing with 28 yards, highlighting his versatility and determination. In a team lacking a reliable running game, Maye’s ability to keep the offense moving is invaluable as the Patriots fight to stay in contention for an AFC playoff spot.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as the Seahawks’ primary receiving threat, particularly with Puka Nacua sidelined by an ankle injury. Smith-Njigba led the team with 162 receiving yards in a 20-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, commanding nearly half of Seattle’s passing attempts with 13 targets. Far from being just a possession receiver, Smith-Njigba has become a go-to playmaker, a critical asset for an offense still searching for consistency in the running game.

Ladd McConkey – Los Angeles Chargers

Despite a quieter sophomore season, Ladd McConkey reminded fans of his big-play potential on Sunday. Facing the Los Angeles Chargers’ fourth-quarter collapse against the Chargers, McConkey secured a clutch 42-yard reception after Justin Herbert avoided a sack, setting up the go-ahead field goal by Cameron Dicker. McConkey finished the game with seven catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, proving his importance in key moments.

George Pickens – Dallas Cowboys

George Pickens has been a revelation for the Cowboys, who acquired him to help share the load with CeeDee Lamb. With Lamb sidelined, Pickens caught nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, extending his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown to five. His performance highlights Dallas’ potential when healthy, though the team’s defensive struggles could undermine their playoff hopes if not addressed.

Losers

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have endured a punishing wave of injuries, but the season-ending loss of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner could prove catastrophic. Warner’s ability to cover sideline-to-sideline, defend deep passes, and rally the defense is irreplaceable. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh previously compensated for Nick Bosa’s ACL tear with creative blitz packages, but Warner’s absence removes both skill and leadership from the equation. While San Francisco remains 4-2, vying for a division title without Warner—and with Jauan Jennings playing through multiple injuries—will be an uphill battle.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore’s 1-5 start puts the Ravens in a precarious position. Historically, only one team since the NFL’s playoff expansion has reached the postseason with a similar record after six games, and that required a highly unusual divisional setup. Even with Lamar Jackson’s return and the potential comeback of Roquan Smith, the odds remain stacked against Baltimore, as their roster continues to battle injuries and inconsistency.

Shedeur Sanders – Cleveland Browns

Sanders’ rise has been slow, and he remains on the sidelines as Dillon Gabriel’s backup. While the situation might appear promising, the circumstances are complicated, including Sanders’ own draft-related requests. With the Browns struggling offensively, patience is key, but the young quarterback has yet to make a meaningful impact.

Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell

Both cornerbacks faced rocky debuts following their trade between Cleveland and Jacksonville. Newsome allowed a 61-yard touchdown to Smith-Njigba, while Campbell struggled against DK Metcalf despite some pass breakups. Both players are still adjusting to new schemes, suggesting growing pains are ahead before either finds stability.

Embattled Coaches

The coaching carousel may start to heat up. Coaches like Brian Daboll (Giants), Aaron Glenn (Jets), Mike McDaniel (Dolphins), Brian Callahan (Lions), and Jonathan Gannon (Eagles) are facing mounting pressure. Week 6 results have done little to calm scrutiny, and the margins for error continue to shrink as teams slip in the standings.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ collapse against the Chargers exposed lingering leadership and cultural issues. Tua Tagovailoa openly criticized leadership and attendance in players-only meetings, pointing to a team struggling with cohesion. Despite offseason efforts to correct these problems, Miami faces another organizational reckoning if improvements are not made quickly.

Justin Fields – Chicago Bears

Justin Fields endured a nightmarish outing against the Washington Commanders, finishing with nine sacks and -10 net passing yards. While coaching decisions contributed to the struggle, Fields’ processing and in-game decision-making remain critical concerns. For the Bears, this performance only amplifies questions about their quarterback situation and overall offensive strategy.

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