NFL predictions, fantasy sleepers, trends for Week 6: Keep an eye on Sam Darnold?

3 weeks ago 5

Multiple Contributors

Oct 11, 2025, 06:25 AM ET

Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season is here, and our NFL analysts person you covered connected last-minute prep. Catch up connected everything earlier Sunday's action.

Here's what we have: First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down 3 stat trends that could beryllium pivotal this weekend. Then phantasy shot writer Eric Moody runs done 5 players who are rostered successful nether 50% of ESPN phantasy shot leagues arsenic of Saturday and could beryllium started successful a jam. That's followed by NFL expert Matt Bowen predicting 3 perchance large surprises and sports betting expert Pamela Maldonado giving her favourite stake for Week 6.

Should we expect different large outing for Seahawks backmost Sam Darnold and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Do the Chiefs basal a accidental against the Lions' play-action offense? Could Packers cornerback Xavier McKinney intercept Bengals backmost Joe Flacco for the second clip this season? And is determination betting worth successful the Lions-Chiefs matchup connected Sunday night? Let's dive in.

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Stat trends | Fantasy sleepers
Potential surprises | Best bet

Walder: Three cardinal stat trends that could find Week 6 winners

Can the Chiefs halt the Lions' play-action offense?

Ben Johnson mightiness person left to the Bears this offseason, but a staple of his discourtesy remains firmly entrenched successful Detroit: the play-action. The Lions are moving play-action astatine a 32.1% clip this season, the second-highest complaint successful the NFL. And that's perchance atrocious quality for the Chiefs, who are allowing 0.48 expected points added per play (not a typo) to play-action passes -- the astir of immoderate squad successful the league.

When I spot a stat similar that, my archetypal absorption is determination must beryllium 1 monolithic play dragging that mean up. In this case, not really. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence's 44-yard walk to Travis Hunter (worth 2.3 EPA) this past Monday was the No. 1 play. The Chiefs are allowing a 65.8% occurrence complaint connected play-action plays, second-highest successful the league. It should beryllium an casual fastener for the Lions to property respective times on Sunday.