NFL Week 6: Broncos host champion Seahawks on Thursday as Marvin Harrison Jr. set for Texans debut in London

NFL Week 6 opens with the Super Bowl match-up that never was: the Denver Broncos host the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, with kick-off at 8.15pm ET on Thursday, 15 October, or 8.15am on Friday, 16 October in Malaysia. Later in the week, Marvin Harrison Jr. is set to make his Houston Texans debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, just days after his trade from Arizona became official.

Denver get a look at the champions

Both teams go into the game at Empower Field at Mile High with 3-2 records. Seattle won Super Bowl LX by beating New England 29-13, while Denver lost the AFC Championship Game 10-7 at home to the Patriots, which is why several Broncos players have framed Thursday as a chance to measure themselves against the team they missed out on facing in February.

Seattle arrive off a 32-29 defeat by San Francisco but boast the league's top-ranked defence and 11 forced turnovers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, leads the NFL in receiving yards and has been cleared after an ankle problem. Running back Zach Charbonnet and linebackers Chazz Surratt and Drake Thomas are ruled out.

Denver beat the winless Chargers 23-17 last week, but the offence remains a concern. The Broncos rank near the bottom of the league in total yards, and head coach Sean Payton has taken back play-calling duties. Their secondary is also stretched: cornerback Patrick Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga are out with ankle injuries, while cornerback Riley Moss is questionable.

Harrison Jr. reunites with Stroud

The Texans' trade for Harrison Jr. was confirmed by the Cardinals on Monday, 12 October. Arizona received 2027 second- and seventh-round picks, sending Harrison and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Houston. The former fourth overall pick caught 108 passes for 1,578 yards and 13 touchdowns in 33 games for the Cardinals, but had only five catches in four games this season.

Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday that Harrison will play against Jacksonville, though he expects the receiver's role to be limited at first. The move reunites Harrison with C.J. Stroud, his quarterback at Ohio State. The game at Wembley Stadium kicks off at 9.30am ET on Sunday, 18 October, which is 9.30pm the same evening in Malaysia.

Quarterback watch

Several starting quarterbacks are in focus this week. Baltimore's Lamar Jackson missed the Week 5 overtime win over Atlanta with a sprained ankle, and his availability for Sunday's trip to Cleveland was still unclear midweek. Chicago's Caleb Williams was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday as he works back from a hamstring injury before facing the Falcons, whose own starter Michael Penix Jr. is dealing with a rib injury.

Elsewhere, Green Bay will be without defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles, and Micah Parsons is not expected to face Dallas.

Week 6 in Malaysia time

• Seahawks at Broncos: Friday 16 October, 8.15am
• Texans at Jaguars (London): Sunday 18 October, 9.30pm
• Early Sunday games, including Bears at Falcons, Ravens at Browns and Jets at Patriots: Monday 19 October, 1am
• Cardinals at Rams: Monday 19 October, 4.05am
• Chargers at Chiefs and Bills at Raiders: Monday 19 October, 4.25am
• Cowboys at Packers: Monday 19 October, 8.20am
• Commanders at 49ers: Tuesday 20 October, 8.15am

The Bengals, Lions, Dolphins and Vikings have byes.

Key takeaways

• Week 6 opens with the 3-2 Seahawks, the reigning champions, at the 3-2 Broncos.
• Denver are without Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga; Seattle are missing Zach Charbonnet.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. is set to debut for Houston against Jacksonville at Wembley after his trade from Arizona.
• Lamar Jackson's status remains uncertain, while Caleb Williams practised fully on Wednesday.
• Most Sunday games in the US fall on Monday morning in Malaysia.

FAQ

What time is Seahawks vs Broncos in Malaysia? The Thursday Night Football game kicks off at 8.15pm ET on 15 October, which is 8.15am on Friday, 16 October in Malaysia.

What did the Texans give up for Marvin Harrison Jr.? According to the Cardinals, Houston sent 2027 second- and seventh-round picks to Arizona and received Harrison plus a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Which NFL teams have a bye in Week 6? The Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.

Sources: NFL.com, Denver Gazette, Yardbarker, Broncos On SI, Arizona Cardinals, Fox 26 Houston, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports