By Ted Nguyen, Dan Pompei and Jourdan Rodrigue
Each Sunday, three of The Athletic’s NFL writers react to the biggest news, plays and performances from the day’s games.
Week 6’s Sunday action began with an unsightly offensive showing in London, where the Denver Broncos outlasted the New York Jets, 13-11. Those weren’t the only sluggish offenses of the day. Six teams in Sunday’s early window failed to surpass 20 points — including the Los Angeles Rams, who beat the toothless Baltimore Ravens, 17-3. Four more teams in Sunday’s late window also failed to top 20 points.
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NFL writers Ted Nguyen, Dan Pompei and Jourdan Rodrigue share their thoughts on a Week 6 in which points may have been hard to find, but meaningful storylines were not.
The 49ers, who lost in Tampa Bay, have stayed afloat despite incessant injuries. Now that Fred Warner (dislocated ankle) has joined Nick Bosa in being out for the season, does that end San Francisco’s hopes of contending?
Rodrigue: That the 49ers entered this matchup 4-1 with all the injuries they are facing is a minor miracle, and also a credit to the coaching staff, players and front office, because depth and youth have had to step up everywhere. Don’t forget, the 49ers have one win apiece over NFC West foes Arizona, Seattle and Los Angeles. While this defense certainly won’t hum without Warner (a clear miscommunication between linebackers and safeties that led to a coverage bust on Kameron Johnson’s touchdown catch in the second quarter would probably not have happened with Warner rearranging player responsibilities off a pre-snap motion), those early wins will at least keep the playoffs within reach, with Brock Purdy and George Kittle potentially returning soon. Contenders for more than a shot at the playoffs? It might be that the injuries are simply too much to overcome.
Pompei: The 49ers’ chances certainly would be better with Bosa and Warner, arguably their two best players. But they have shown remarkable pluck through six games, winning without Bosa, Purdy, Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall and
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