playNFL NationOct 18, 2026, 01:00 PM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsThe Sunday slate for Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season kicked off in London with a thrilling matchup between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.Marvin Harrison Jr. made his much-anticipated Texans debut, but it was C.J. Stroud that was the star of this day as Houston was able to hold off the Jaguars in a thriller.Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for teams that played Sunday. Fantasy football analysts Matt Bowen and Tristan Cockcroft also have fantasy takeaways from each matchup.Let’s get to it with the biggest lessons from Sunday.Jump to: HOU-JAXCatch up on Thursday’s game: SEA-DENHouston 34, Jacksonville 31Catch up on the action: Box score | RecapTexansCan quarterback C.J.
Stroud keep this hot start going? Even though Stroud did have an ill-timed interception that gave the Jaguars a chance late in the fourth quarter, he was stellar. The fourth-year quarterback is continuing to perform at an MVP level, but against the Jaguars, Houston needed him at his best — and he delivered. He led the game-winning drive to cap a 306-yard, three-touchdown outing in his first London performance.Trend to watch: The Texans’ “elite” defense has been far from it.
Coach DeMeco Ryans took over playcalling this week, but his unit allowed 31 points. It’s the third time this season that the Texans have allowed at least 30 points. — DJ Bien-AimeNext game: vs. Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)JaguarsIs it time for the Jaguars to fully unleash Travis Hunter on offense?
They may need to. Hunter had his best offensive game of the season. He caught four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown after having just two catches for 17 yards in the first five games. The Jaguars needed him to step up because receiver Brian Thomas Jr. struggled, dropping two passes — including one that would have given the Jaguars a chance to attempt a long field goal at the end of the first half.
Thomas, who had an issue with drops last year, didn’t play an offensive snap in the second half after playing 15 in the first. Hunter, with a bigger offensive workload, could make up for Thomas’ struggles.Trend to watch: The Jaguars are banged up at safety, with Antonio Johnson leaving the game with an ankle injury. They were already down Caleb Ransaw (IR) and went to Kaevon Merriweather, who was on the practice squad until he was signed to the active roster before last week’s game. With the bye next week, the Jaguars need to get healthy and possibly make another move depending on how long Johnson is out. — Michael DiRoccoNext game: vs.
Colts (Nov. 1, 1 p.m. ET)Fantasy football takeaway: WR Jaylin Noel was the star of the Texans’ vertical game, catching a pair of deep throws and finishing with 20.7 fantasy points. Between his emergence and WR Marvin Harrison Jr.’s acquisition, Stroud’s receiving options are as strong and diverse as they’ve been since his rookie year in 2023. Stroud is a weekly superflex option. — Cockcroft
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