Here's a look at a film nugget for each team playing this weekend that should impact the action on the field in Week 6:
San Francisco at Buffalo
The story of this game will be Colin Kaepernick going back in at quarterback for the 49ers. But the key for San Francisco will be on the other side of the ball. Can they slow LeSean McCoy? He's been on a tear lately and the 49ers inside linebackers are coming off a bad game last week against Arizona and David Johnson. Nick Bellore and Michael Wilhoite got blocked for much of the night. Bellore is also really aggressive and tends to overrun plays at times. He is starting because NaVorro Bowman is out for the year. They have to be better against McCoy.
Last week I wrote about linebacker Zach Brown being an impressive player so far for the Bills defense. A young player who is also starting to play well is rookie Adolphus Washington. The defensive tackle/end from Ohio State had a sack last week and was also good in the run game against the Rams. On his sack, he was initially doubled but then was able to beat the block of left guard Rodger Saffold with a bull rush to get Case Keenum down. In the run game, he was good at the point and when a play went away from him he pursued well. He had a tackle on a play away from him for a 2-yard gain for Todd Gurley. When he was doubled, he held the point as well. The Bills might have a steal in the third-round pick.
Philadelphia at Washington
Not having Lane Johnson for 10 games, due to his league-imposed suspension, will be a big hit to the Eagles offense. He has been really good this season, and his ability to pass protect has really helped rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. The Eagles could have moved left guard Allen Barbre to his right tackle spot, but that would have weakened two spots. So they've opted to insert fifth-round pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai in as the right tackle. He started at both tackle spots in his college career at TCU. He has a big task trying to replace Johnson, who has played so well this season.
The Redskins are getting nice play from outside linebacker Trent Murphy. He had a half sack last week against the Ravens on a play where he lined up down over the guard and was able to get push inside. He had two other quarterback hits. He's also been good against the pass and done a nice job in the run game. On a run wide last week, he was able to shed the block of the tight end against the Ravens and make a nice tackle. With Ryan Kerrigan and Murphy, the Redskins have a nice outside duo. Now they need to get Preston Smith going in terms of more help with the pass rush.
Cleveland at Tennessee
The Browns have had some tough times so far this season, but in those tough times there are glimpses where young players flash. Third-year linebacker Christian Kirksey is one of those players. He's off to a good start, especially against the run. His instincts are much improved in the run game, and that showed up last week against the Pats. On one early run, he jumped to the outside, took on pulling guard Joe Thuney, and made the tackle for a 2-yard gain. He did have some issues in coverage, where pinpoint passes by Tom Brady beat him, but he's been even better in that area up until last week. He's been one of their better defenders so far.
Although I wasn't sure he'd be a nice pickup for the Titans, running back DeMarco Murray has impressed so far. He looked like the Murray of 2014 last week against the Dolphins. He was back to gliding as a runner, and even had a 13-yard gain off a spin move to avoid a tackler on the outside. Murray made some nice jump cuts and looked quick. The Titans have to be thrilled with how he's playing right now in their run-based offense.
Baltimore at New York Giants
In 2014, Jimmy Smith looked like a future star at corner. But he missed time that season with a foot injury and also had a procedure done on the foot this offseason. He did play 16 games last season, but he hasn't been the same player. He struggled last week against the Redskins and needs to pick up his game. Baltimore has corner issues that show up on a weekly basis. This week, they face Odell Beckham Jr., so they have to be better.
When the Giants won Super Bowls, their pass rush was a big reason why. They spent big to get the pass rush going this season, but so far it's not translated into sacks. They have just four on the season and didn't have any last week against the Packers. The Giants paid Olivier Vernon a lot of money as a free agent, and he doesn't have a sack in five games. Jason Pierre-Paul, who re-signed as a free agent, has one. That doesn't mean they are playing poorly. They both have been good against the run, and they have had some pressures, but we know sacks is what everybody watches. They need to get it going. Both were sub-par last week against the Packers.
Carolina at New Orleans
For the past few weeks, I've made it a point here to highlight how the Panthers ends have no sacks. That's a big part of their defense. But the more I watch their tape, it's not just them. The inside players, Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short, are not having the types of seasons they had last year. Short, who was one of the best inside players in the game in 2015, just has not looked like the same player. He hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been a force either. Linebacker Thomas Davis is another whose play has tailed off some this season. When five of your front seven players aren't getting it done, including all of the down four starters, that's a problem. I know Johnson has been good against the run, but this is a passing league. They need pressure.
The Saints have to be thrilled with the play of undrafted rookie Ken Crawley, who is now starting at corner. He had nice game a few weeks ago against Julio Jones, as the Saints limited him to one catch, but he also impressed against San Diego before the Saints had their bye. Crawley is solid in coverage, but he's also a wiling tackler. He made a really nice play against the Chargers on a screen pass where he jumped underneath a block to tackle Dexter McCluster for a 2-yard gain. If he doesn't make that play, it's likely a touchdown. Without Delvin Breaux, the idea was that the Saints would have major corner issues, but Crawley has relieved a lot of those concerns.
Jacksonville at Chicago
With Luke Joeckel out for the season, the Jaguars will put Patrick Omameh in at left guard. He took over against the Colts when Joeckel went down and did some really good things. He was physical in the run game and got some powerful blocks in his 58 snaps with the first unit. At 6-4, 305 pounds, he's started 16 games for Tampa Bay in 2014 and nine for Chicago last season, playing both left and right guard. Joeckel was starting to show signs of becoming a good left guard, but Omameh might end up being better as a run blocker. The concern with him is pass protection.
The Bears have to be thrilled with what they are getting from rookie center Cody Whitehair. He didn't play the position in college, playing both guard and tackle, but he looks like a natural. It was his outstanding reach block that sprung Jordan Howard for a 57-yard gain last week against the Colts. Several times in the game, he was able to get underneath his man and turn him in the run game. He's also getting better in pass protection. There were some who questioned moving him to center, but it looks like it's paying off -- if they want to keep him there.
Los Angeles at Detroit
The Rams linebackers had a rough go of it last week and Mark Barron, the converted safety, hasn't played that well this season, especially against the run. He is smallish for the position, and that has hurt him some. On LeSean McCoy's 53-yard run, the Bills went to an unbalanced line to the left of their formation. They moved right tackle Jordan Mills to the left tackle spot and moved left tackle Cordy Glenn outside of him. When Barron jumped outside quickly on the run, he was blocked by Glenn to create a big void. Middle linebacker Alec Ogletree got caught inside and Josh Forrest, the other linebacker, whiffed on McCoy as he ran through the hole. The Rams have to be better at the linebacker spots moving forward.
The Lions benched left guard Laken Tomlinson last week against the Eagles, limiting him to 28 snaps, but they say he's back in as the starter this week. In his place, they inserted rookie Graham Glasgow. He was a little better, but he had some issues in the run game, getting tossed aside by Bennie Logan on one play where Logan made the tackle. Whoever plays has to be better because Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald comes to town this week. Donald is the best interior lineman in the league. Tomlinson has been a season-long issue on the Lions line, so he might get the quick hook again this week if he struggles.
Pittsburgh at Miami
Receiver Sammie Coates is big and fast and that speed scares the heck out of defensive backs. Once he learns to be a more precise route runner -- and he's getting better -- he will be a big-time player. Coates is coming off a big game against the Jets that could have been even bigger. He dropped a sure touchdown pass in the middle of the field and then had chances to catch three other passes, two of which would have been big plays.
He did have a laceration on his hand, which had to play a role, but his hands are his weakness right now. He missed time this week with a wrapped hand. Even so, you can see Ben Roethlisberger gaining confidence in his by the week. On the first of his two touchdown catches against the Jets, he ran by corner Marcus Williams in man coverage. The speed was evident on the tape as he blew past him at the 50 for a 72-yard bomb.
Later, he dropped a potential deep ball, but Roethlisberger came right back to him on the next play, a short catch out of bunch formation. He then scored his second touchdown later on a crossing route where he showed soft hands. This kid has star potential. He has six plays of 40 yards or more to lead the NFL. That matters.
There have been few bright spots for the Dolphins this season, but safety Reshad Jones continues to play at a high level. He didn't go to the Pro Bowl last season, which was a shame since he played so well. On a defense that has really had issues this season, especially against the run, Jones has continued to be a good player on their defense. He's a good tackler, who has to make too many at times, and he's also good in coverage. There just isn't a lot of talent on the back end around him, and the linebackers are bad. The bad news is Jones could miss this week's game with the Steelers because of a groin injury.
Cincinnati at New England
The Bengals linebackers, and actually their entire front, had a rough go of it last week in Dallas. But the linebackers had an especially bad day. That can't happen here against the Patriots. Vontaze Burfict and Rey Maualuga missed their run fits last week and had a tough time with the second-level blocking of the Dallas offensive line. They got sealed and blocked a lot in that game, leading to a big day from Ezekiel Elliott. That has to be concerning going forward. Burfict hasn't been the same player since he returned two weeks ago from his league-induced suspension.
It looks like the Patriots have found some hidden gems again on their defense in defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton and linebacker Elandon Roberts. Hamilton, who started last week's game against Cleveland, is an undrafted rookie from Mississippi. Roberts is also a rookie, taken in the sixth round this year. Both did some good things against the Browns.
On one early Isaiah Crowell run, Hamilton, on the nose, did a nice job of fending off the block of center John Greco to come down the line and be a part of a tackle as Roberts made the play from his middle linebacker spot with a nice read and react. On another run in the second quarter, Roberts blew up All-Pro tackle Joe Thomas, running through him, to stop Crowell from gaining a yard. Hamilton made a really nice play to open the second half when he shed right guard Alvin Bailey and dumped Crowell for a 2-yard gain. He showed some real power.
Kansas City at Oakland
The Chiefs offensive line has struggled this season, but center Mitch Morse has to be one of the bigger disappointments. Now in his second season after starting as a rookie in 2015, Morse was supposed to be much improved. That hasn't been the case. There isn't an abundance of talent around him either, but he needs to pick up his play, especially in the run game, this week against Oakland.
One of the surprises for the Raiders has to be seeing free safety Reggie Nelson struggle in coverage this season. He signed as a free agent from Cincinnati where he was a good cover player. But so far for the Raiders that hasn't been the case. At 33, it could be a case where he is simply slowing down. He doesn't look like the same player this season.
Atlanta at Seattle
Rookie safety Keanu Neal is coming off an impressive game last week against the Broncos. He was good in the run game and also had a nice game against the pass. When he tackles, the runners go down. He doesn't miss much. This is an interesting week since the Falcons drafted him with an idea that he could be their Kam Chancellor in the secondary. A run from the second quarter last week highlights his style of play. It was a run to the left to the Broncos' Devontae Booker and he came up, took on fullback Andy Janovich in the hole, and made the tackle. He rarely plays in the deep middle in their defense, but usually can be found lurking in the middle 7-8 yards off the ball. His physical style is something the Falcons badly needed.
The Legion of Boom gets a lot of attention in Seattle, and rightfully so. They are talented. Corner Richard Sherman and safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are some of the best secondary players in the league. But a guy who should be getting more play this season is corner DeShawn Shead. He has been really good on the opposite side of Sherman. At 6-1, 210 pounds, Shead gives them a second physical corner to go with Sherman. Receivers playing that duo need to be prepared to get beat up.
Dallas at Green Bay
The Cowboys got defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence back last week after he served his four-game suspension. Lawrence did some good things, but they also got more from backup end Ryan Davis, which could be big going forward. Davis, who was released by the Jaguars in the preseason, forced an early hold on Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler when he ran through him on a stunt. Zeitler had no choice but to grab him to prevent a sure sack. He also had a sack, where he had a nice up and under move against Cedric Ogbuehi, wiped out by a penalty. With Lawrence back, if the Cowboys can get that type of backup production from Davis they will be much improved in terms of an edge pass rush.
The Green Bay offense is predicated on ISO routes, which means the man has to win on his own. There are few rubs, picks or bunch formations. In the Giants game, five times receivers crossed each other. That's it. It's absurd. They just don't win enough. One of the few times they did cross, they brought Jordy Nelson in motion from the left to the right and he settled behind the tight end. When the tight end ran his route, Nelson came underneath for an easy cross for a 17-yard gain. Why not more of it? I just don't get it. Use bunch, rubs, picks. They have to figure out a way to get guys open.
Indianapolis at Houston
The right side of the offensive line continues to be a major trouble spot for the Colts, Last week it was Denzelle Good at guard and rookie Joe Haeg at tackle who were overmatched against the Bears. At other times, it's been Joe Reitz at right tackle and even rookie Austin Blythe got a start at guard in London against the Jaguars. Until that side of the line plays better, the Colts will have issues running the ball and protecting Andrew Luck. This week, here comes Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus.
There is no denying Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was bad last week against the Vikings. He pre-determined a lot of decisions, wasn't accurate and never looked comfortable. On what should have been a touchdown pass to tight end C.J. Fedorowicz, he threw the ball too far outside on a wheel route. It ended up being a 15-yard gain to the Minnesota 12, but a good pass results in a touchdown. They settled for a field goal on that drive. But in fairness to Osweiler, who also had a bad pick on a sailed ball in the middle of the field, his receivers didn't win and his offensive line was terrible. He had pressure in his face almost the entire day. That isn't to absolve him of blame because he deserves his share. Getting paid $18 million a season means he has to be better.
New York Jets at Arizona
The Jets paid defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson a lot of money this summer. He's a really good player, but it's games like the one he had last week against the Steelers that can be perplexing. He was up against a third-team tackle most of the day in Chris Hubbard. Yet Wilkerson was handled in the passing game by Hubbard and sometimes by the tight ends in single-block situations. The Steelers did chip and double him some of the time, but when he was singled he didn't win enough. Wilkerson made a few plays in the run game, but he has to be able to provide more push for a team that lacks a true edge rusher.
The Arizona inside linebackers didn't get off to a good start this season, but they picked it up last week against the 49ers. Both Kevin Minter and Deone Bucannon, the converted safety who is now a hybrid player, had good games against the 49ers. That hasn't been the case for much of this season, as the Arizona defense hasn't played up to expectations. Both linebackers were much more active last week against the 49ers, especially in the run game.