NFL week six preview: Five key talking points including a rematch of the game that sparked Deflategate

The six unbeaten teams all get an opportunity to continue their perfect starts in Week 6. The Carolina Panthers have defied the odds to start 5-0 but they’ll be tested in Seattle this week. There’s also a rematch of a recent Super Bowl, a new reign gets underway in Miami and the story of the off-season is revisited

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Deflategate row is recalled

The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts meet for the first time since January’s infamous AFC Championship Game.

The game sparked the Deflategate saga, a battle fought between Tom Brady and the NFL over the deflation of footballs in the Patriots’ 45-7 win.

Despite Judge Richard Berman’s ruling to nullify Brady’s four-game suspension, the biggest story of the off-season will continue in 2016 when a court hears the NFL’s appeal.

The messy affair, which led to a 243-page report by attorney Ted Wells, will be mentioned ahead of every future meeting between these rivals.

Luck not a definite to play

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck could miss his third successive game due to a shoulder injury.

The 26-year-old was limited in practise on Wednesday and his status for Sunday’s game against the Patriots is yet to be confirmed.

Before sitting out the Week 4 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Luck hadn’t missed a single start since being drafted in 2012.

Given Luck’s fortunes against the Patriots - six touchdowns, 10 interceptions and four losses in four games - and backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s performance this season - three touchdowns, zero interceptions and two wins in two starts, perhaps the best move is to start the in-form Hasselbeck and allow Luck, who leads the league in turnovers since 2014, another week’s rest.

Campbell looks to turn Dolphins season around

Dan Campbell will take charge of his first game as the Miami Dolphins interim head coach against the Tennessee Titans.

The former tight end, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, replaced Joe Philbin at the helm of the struggling Dolphins last week.

Wembley paid witness to Philbin’s final game, the 58-year-old fired a day after losing 27-14 to the New York Jets in London.

The Dolphins are in desperate need of revitalisation after a 1-3 start and Campbell plans to imbue a competitive spirit, stating in his introductory press conference: “You want to get the most out of them? You have to challenge them. That goes from the best player we have on this team to the one that’s not the best.”

Miami’s hierarchy clearly think highly of the 39-year-old, who played for the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints, for it wouldn’t have been his experience that earned him a promotion. He only retired from playing after the 2009 season and has only ever served as a tight ends coach.

Beginning of a tough stretch for unbeaten Panthers

Cam Newton has been in MVP-calibre form through four games, but the true test lies ahead for Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

Ron Rivera’s team have played the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Those teams combine for a woeful 5-15 record.

Their next four games are against the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers. Combined those teams are 12-8, and the league is yet to see the Seahawks, Eagles and Colts at their finest.

Where the Panthers schedule is tough, the Atlanta Falcons, their rivals for the NFC South crown, will expect to head into a Week 11 clash with the Indianapolis Colts with a flawless record.

Dan Quinn’s squad are 5-0 and face the Saints, Titans, Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers in their next four games. As mid-season schedules go, the Falcons’ is incredibly generous.

The Panthers can’t afford to lose too much ground. This Sunday they’ll have to deal with a Seattle team seeking revenge after last week’s overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Super Bowl XLVII rematch

It’s remarkable that just three seasons ago the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers were the best teams in the AFC and NFC given their fortunes this season.

The 2012 season culminated in a Ravens vs. 49ers Super Bowl. This season both are bottom of their respective divisions with 1-4 records.

Both teams’ playoff hopes are slim and the loser of Sunday’s game can likely begin preparations for 2016.

The biggest difference when comparing the Ravens’ roster in 2012 to this season is the noticeable lack of experience. The Ravens had All-Pro first team talents Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, drafted by the team in 1996 and 2002 respectively, on defence.

The difference in the 49ers? The lack of talent. Just one of the six San Francisco players who earned All-Pro first team honours in 2012 remains. Add Colin Kaepernick’s regression, Jim Harbaugh’s exit and several departures in the past off-season and you have a team that bears no resemblance to the successful 2012 one.

The Ravens beat the 49ers 34-31 in the Super Bowl. The game had three turnovers, a kick-off return for a touchdown, a safety and even a power outage. Hopefully Sunday’s game is just as thrilling, even without the half-time show.