NFL The Final Word: Caleb Williams turning Chicago Bears into playoff contenders while Baltimore Ravens look like Super Bowl favourites

From Caleb Williams’ big day out in London to more trouble for the Dallas Cowboys, Sky Sports NFL presenter Neil Reynolds has his final say on Week Six of the 2024 season on the road to Super Bowl LIX…

Week Six saw the second of three London games to be played as the Chicago Bears took on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and that’s where I begin my five big takeaways from the weekend…

Caleb’s rise to stardom

I have to start with Caleb Williams, the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. He shone bright on the international stage as the Bears beat the Jags 35-16. It means three wins in a row now for the 22-year-old and it looks like he’s growing up before our very eyes and into an NFL star.

He hit on 23 of 29 for 226 yards, four touchdowns and rushed for 56 yards. It was all on display: poise, decision-making mobility, accuracy and an absolute cannon for an arm. It was an absolute privilege to watch him play and he has turned the Bears into a quick playoff contender.

Time running out for Pederson?

As good as it was for the Chicago Bears at Tottenham, it was a bad day at the office for the Jacksonville Jaguars. There were dropped passes that could have been touchdowns, penalties that wiped out drives and ball security issues that gave the football back to Caleb Williams and the Bears.

Doug Pederson seems to be running out of ideas, safety Andre Cisco said he saw a lot of quit from the Jacksonville players, so this is a really dicey situation now for a 1-5 team. They absolutely cannot afford to lose to the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium this coming weekend. If they do, I think Doug Pederson is done in Jacksonville.

Detroit lighting up the NFL

Let’s stay in the NFC North, which is just an incredible division with all four teams having at least four wins out of six games so far this season. The Detroit Lions thrashed the Dallas Cowboys 47-9 in Dallas and have now scored more than 40 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1962.

Jared Goff threw for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, Detroit rushed for 184 yards and two scores and there are weapons everywhere you look. I love the play-calling being dialled up by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, these guys are having fun and scoring points for fun.

Dallas in turmoil

What is going on with the Dallas Cowboys? They went 8-0 at home in the regular season in 2023, since which they have been thrashed by Green Bay in the wild-card round in front of their own fans and opened 2024 with three straight home losses. In those four games they have given up an average of 42 points per game.

The defense is absolutely decimated by injuries and it’s really impacting the offensive side of the ball, where there is no running game to help Dak Prescott, who is really struggling. Head coach Mike McCarthy is going to join Doug Pederson on an ever-warming seat. He is coaching in his final year of his current deal in Dallas, he was not given an extension in the offseason and that is a troubling start to the year.

Ravens underline Super Bowl credentials

The Washington Commanders put up a good display against the Baltimore Ravens, but it was the Ravens winning 30-23 and showing their class and the level that Jayden Daniels and Washington still have to climb up to. Baltimore have now won four in a row after a 0-2 start.

I never really felt they were in trouble at 0-2, I still felt they were a really good team and their identity is well and truly established. Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and a touchdown, Derrick Henry added 132 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. They were my Super Bowl pick before the season, I still think they are going to represent the AFC in New Orleans in mid-February.

Player of the Week – Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

I thought Caleb Williams was outstanding from a numbers point of view, but the eye-ball test was really impressive. You can see why there are comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and I think we are seeing somebody grow quickly week on week. Great decision-making, down near the end zone, rolling to his right and throwing the ball away out of bounds rather than taking a risk. Next drive, the middle of the field is open, he’s rolling to his right and throws back across his body knowing it’s a safer completion. All the decision-making is coming along with the incredible physical tools.

Play of the Week – AJ Brown’s TD catch vs Browns

There are so many plays this week that could have been chosen for this, but I’ll go with AJ Brown’s touchdown catch for the Philadelphia Eagles. He never gets a second hand on the ball, he’s being dragged backwards to fall flat on his back with the ball bobbling around and he just wrestles it to his chest with one arm while being manhandled. It shows the incredible skill of these receivers, and Brown also made a wonderful catch at the end to seal victory for the Eagles over the Cleveland Browns. Double whammy from AJ Brown as he returned from injury.

Coach of the Week – Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Bowles had to get his team out of town early as Hurricane Milton barrelled towards the Florida coast, and Tampa Bay still overcame that distraction to beat New Orleans 51-27. They are now 4-2 on the season and deserving of much more of our attention.

Baker Mayfield threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns but was helped out by a ground attack that saw the ball carried 35 times for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, and they scored on defense as well. A complete team performance and a great week of managing his players by Todd Bowles.

On my radar…

I want to finish by sending well-wishes to Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a terrible leg break against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

On my radar this week, though, is the Atlanta Falcons and their offense, which is beginning to take shape. A week after Kirk Cousins threw for more than 500 yards, the Falcons dominated on the ground in a 38-20 win over the Carolina Panthers. Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson combined for 33 runs for 200 yards and three touchdowns as the offense put up 423 total yards. That unit is starting to come together and there is a very nice balance to their attack.

Week Seven begins on Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints (2-4) meet the Denver Broncos (3-3), live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday; Also stream with NOW.

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