Week 5 helped sort out the NFL better. The Eagles and 49ers remain undefeated and seemingly on a collision course deep into the playoffs, though they meet in Week 13 in Philly. There were more injuries that should be better defined by Wednesday at the latest – Justin Jefferson, James Conner, Anthony Richardson, Travis Kelce, and Daniel Jones as the most prominent.
You can be sure the NFL has changed when Bill Belichick loses two games in a row by a combined score of 72-3 and both were at home. And both were the biggest losses in his career. Only the Packers and Steelers are on bye for Week 6, but make advanced plans for Week 7 which has six teams on bye – Carolina, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, NY Jets, and Tennessee.
Jacksonville 25, Buffalo 20 London, England
This is why London games are tough to forecast and even tougher to get up early enough to see. What channel again? Different from last time? The scoring was only 11-7 by the Jaguars until the middle of the fourth quarter, so there was plenty of time to make tea, eat your crumpets, go see Big Ben, fry some cod, and still not miss any scoring. There were 20 points scored in the final seven minutes which helped the game end with a bigger bang than it began.
The Jags ended with several respectable fantasy scorers. Trevor Lawrence passed for 315 yards and one score to Zay Jones (3-23, TD) while Calvin Ridley (7-122) and Christian Kirk (6-78) were the top receivers against a defense that lost several starters in the game. Travis Etienne was the star of the offense with 136 yards and two scores on 26 carries including a 35-yard score with three minutes left that proved the winning touchdown. He also caught four passes for 48 yards. The 3-2 Jaguars take their winning record back home to face the visiting Colts in Week 6.
The Bills rushing effort was nonexistent, with James Cook (5- (-4)), Damien Harris (3-13), and Latavius Murray (2-6) all ineffective. Josh Allen was the leading rusher with just 14 yards on four runs and one touchdown. Allen threw for 359 yards and two scores between Stefon Diggs (8-121, TD) and Gabe Davis (6-100, TD). The lack of a rushing attack slowed the Bills, but the losses on the defense were just enough to keep the Jaguars ahead. It was an apparent advantage for the Jags to have been there in London for a second week as they were much crisper and effective from the start than the freshly-traveled Bills.
Sadly, the NFL has one more London game next week, and then two in Germany. The product is most often sloppier and harder to predict when in Europe, to say nothing of the red-eye early morning kickoffs.
Houston 19, Atlanta 21
The Falcons ended their two-game losing streak and silenced, for at least one week, the critics of Desmond Ridder. The offense couldn’t run the ball, but the passing game finally looked acceptable. Maybe even good. Bijan Robinson only gained 46 yards on 14 carries and scored on his two catches for 12 yards. Ridder passed for 329 yards and the one touchdown. Kyle Pitts led the receivers with seven caches for 87 yards while Drake London turned six receptions into 78 yards. Jonnu Smith still did more than expected with six catches for 67 yards. Ridder commanded a sharp-looking drive with under two minutes remaining to reach the Falcons’ 20-yard line where Younghoe Koo kicked the winning 37-yard field goal. The 3-2 Falcons host the Commanders this week.
The Texans two-game winning streak ended with a lesser showing of the rookie C.J. Stroud with only 249 yards and one touchdown. Dalton Schultz (7-65, TD) led the receivers. Tank Dell (3-57) and Nico Collins (3-39) both turned in down games for a rarity this year. Dameon Pierce ran for 66 yards on 20 carries but only added one catch for 16 yards. This was a low-scoring matchup and the road version of the Texans wasn’t as good as it has been in recent weeks. Still, Stroud continues his record-setting streak of passes without an interception to start a career. The 2-3 Texans host the Saints this week.
Tennessee 16, Indianapolis 23
This matchup was lower scoring as usual, and the Titans couldn’t succeed when their rushing offense was shut down. Derrick Henry was held to only 43 yards on 13 rushes but added three catches for 19 yards. The lone touchdown was rushed in by Tyjae Spears (7-34, TD) on his 19-yard third-quarter run. Ryan Tannehill finally found DeAndre Hopkins (8-140) for a breakout game, but he never scored and no other receivers managed more than 35 yards. While it is encouraging to see Hopkins come to life, it only happened when the Titans couldn’t run the ball. The loss drops them to 2-3 and they host the Ravens for Week 5.
The Colts lost Anthony Richardson again, and Gardner Minshew was solidly replacing him for more than two quarters when he completed 11-of-14 for 155 yards. Josh Downs (6-97) and Michael Pittman (5-52) led the receivers. Jonathan Taylor debuted after signing his heft contract but only gained 18 yards on six carries. But Zack Moss doesn’t want to go away and seems likely to remain very involved for the near future. He had yet another monster performance, this time running for 165 yards and two scores on 23 carries and added 30 yards on his two receptions. The ground game will sustain this offense and should be even better once Taylor returns to form. But Moss is going to make the transition messy and harder to call. The 3-2 Colts play in Jacksonville for an important divisional matchup next Sunday.
New York Giants 16, Miami 31
This matchup was never in doubt and the Dolphins always led. Daniel Jones threw for 119 yards and left with a neck injury, Tyrod Taylor finished the game with 86 yards and no scores. Darren Waller (8-86) was finally the clear primary receiver and no one else totaled more than 35 receiving yards. With Saquon Barkley still out with his high-ankle sprain, the backfield did very little. Eric Gray (12-25) and Matt Breida (9-21) were ineffective as expected. It was another ugly loss and the only Giants’ touchdown came on an interception return. The offense only generated three field goals. The G-Men fall to 1-4 and won’t look any better this week in Buffalo.
The Dolphins continue their high-scoring ways. Tu Tagovailoa passed for 308 yards and two touchdowns between Tyreek Hill (8-181, TD) and Jaylen Waddle (5-35, TD). Raheem Mostert (10-65, TD) helped out while Devon Achane (11-151, TD) continued his game-breaking ways with a second-quarter run for a 65-yard touchdown. The 4-1 Fins get back on the winning track and host the Panthers this week for what should be another fantasy bonanza. The offense has turned into the Hill and Achane show each week.
New Orleans 34, New England 0
Is it possible that… hear me out… Bill Belichick stayed too long? He’s the third-winningest coach in NFL history but trails George Halas by 19 and Don Shula by 29. The Pats are 1-4 so his pace means he needs decades to catch up. Worst yet, he followed up his career-worst loss 38-3 at home against the Cowboys and followed that up with this gem as the second-worst loss. Those Patriot season tickets may be more affordable than ever.
Mac Jones threw for 110 yards and two interceptions before being benched for Bailey Zappe who only completed 3-of-9 for 22 yards. Maybe all those years with OC Josh McDaniels are appreciated a bit more. The backfield combined for only 45 yards on 17 carries. Kendrick Bourne (2-43) and DeVante Parker (2-20) were the top wideouts. JuJu Smith-Schuster has never been a factor and left with a concussion. The offense is seriously floundering with no signs of pulling out of this nosedive. The Pats fall to 1-4 and travel to Las Vegas, where you can bet they miss the Brady years.
Baltimore 10, Pittsburgh 17
This matchup was a standard low-scoring, defensive battle between these AFC North rivals. Lamar Jackson threw for 236 yards and one interception and ran for 45 yards on six rushes. Zay Flowers (5-73) and Mark Andrews (6-65) were the only receivers that mattered just like every other week. Gus Edwards (12-48) and Justice Hill (7-32, TD) never had enough work to produce much fantasy value. The Ravens never scored after the first 18 minutes of the game and fell to 3-2. They head to Tennessee for Week 6 where the passing needs to improve because the rushing will be even worse.
Kenny Pickett passed for 224 yards and one score to George Pickens (6-130, TD) but no other receiver gained over 39 yards. The rushing effort was nothing special with Jaylen Warren (9-40) and Najee Harris (14-37) making little difference, though Warren added three catches for 39 yards. The Steelers touchdown was the 41-yard score to Pickens, and then just a safety and two field goals. The win sends the 3-2 Steelers onto their bye with a winning record.
Cincinnati 34, Arizona 20
And the Bengals stay alive. A disastrous opening to the season was swept away with a spectacular showing by Ja’Marr Chase even though there was no Tee Higgins active to concern the secondary. Joe Burrow passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, with a team-record 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns by Chase. Trenton Irwin (8-60) and Tyler Boyd (6-39) were the only other notable receivers. Joe Mixon ran for 81 yards on 25 carries and added four receptions for 13 yards. The Bengals defense even ran in an interception for a score. The win keeps the 2-3 Bengals in the race and they’ll host the Seahawks for Week 6.
The Cardinals drew to within four points in the third quarter but the Bengals put it out of reach with ten unanswered points. Joshua Doubs threw for 166 yards and two scores but also two interceptions and a lost fumble. Marquise Brown (4-61, TD) was the only receiver with more than 30 yards and Zach Ertz scored but only gained 10 yards on two receptions. James Conner only ran six times before injuring his knee and giving way to Emari DeMarcado who scored on his ten rushes for 45 yards. Rondale Moore only gained 26 yards on three catches, but he also gained 50 yards on three rushes, including a 41-yard gain. The loss sends the 1-4 Cardinals to face the Rams in Los Angeles.
Philadelphia 23, Los Angeles Rams 14
The Eagles kept their unbeaten streak intact against a tough Rams defense. They trailed 10-14 in the second quarter but then reeled off 13 unanswered points. The only scoring in the entire second half was just two fourth-quarter field goals by the Eagles. Jalen Hurts passes for 303 yards and one score, plus ran for 72 yards on his 15 rushes. A.J. Brown (6-127, TD) and Dallas Goedert (8-117, TD) led the Eagles while DeVonta Smith was held to a single catch. D’Andre Swift started slowly, but ended with 70 yards on 17 carries and he added six receptions for 38 yards. Hurts kept the team going with the pass or his own rushing and the 5-0 Eagles head to New York to face the Jets.
Now we know. The wild success of Puka Nacua mixed with Cooper Kupp for the first time, and the results were stellar, even if nothing else happened in the passing game. Matt Stafford threw for 222 yards and two scores, and the debut of Cooper Kupp resulted in a team-high eight catches for 118 yards, and the rookie Nacua also caught seven passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. No other Rams gained more than 20 receiving yards though TuTu Atwell (2-9, TD) scored the other touchdown. Kyren Williams ran for 53 yards on 13 carries but the Rams never had a chance to establish the run game. That could repeat weekly now that both Kupp and Nacua are effective together. The 2-3 Rams host the Cardinals for Week 6 and for a chance at a “get right” game.
New York Jets 31 , Denver 21
The Jets defense and Breece Hall aren’t enough to win all games. But they can win some and maybe most without relying on the passing offense for much more than to not make mistakes. Hall ran for 177 yards on 22 carries with a 72-yard touchdown jaunt in the third quarter. They removed the restrictions for Hall and the results were spectacular. Zach Wilson only threw for 199 yards and one interception, with Tyler Conklin (4-67) and Garrett Wilson (3-54) as the top receivers. The Jets defense put the game away when they ran back a 39-yard fumble for a touchdown with only 29 seconds left to play. The 2-3 Jets host the Eagles on Sunday.
The Broncos struggled to maintain drives against the Jets, and Russell Wilson ended with 196 yards and two scores. Jerry Jeudy (6-50) and Courtland Sutton (1-13) were held in check despite trailing for the entire second half. Samaje Perine only gained 22 yards on six rushes but was the leading receiver with four receptions for 73 yards. Jaleel McLaughlin replaced Javonte Williams and ran for 68 yards on nine carries and caught a 22-yard first-quarter touchdown during his three receptions for 21 yards. McLaughlin was effective in his minimal role and should see more work. The Broncos drop to 1-4 and play in Kansas City on Thursday for Week 6.
Kansas City 27, Minnesota 20
While there were 47 total points, this game felt short of expectations for both teams. The Chiefs withstood the scare of Travis Kelce leaving the field with an ankle injury but the X-rays were negative and he returned to the game. Patrick Mahomes threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns between Kelce (10-67, TD) and Rashee Rice (4-33, TD). As usual, there were eight other receivers and none were fantasy-relevant. Isiah Pacheco ran for 55 yards and a touchdown on his 16 carries but only caught a nine-yard pass. The Chiefs defense played well in the second half, no doubt aided by the injured Justin Jefferson, who never caught a pass after the second quarter and sat out the end of the game with a hamstring injury. The 4-1 Chiefs host the Broncos on Thursday.
The importance of Justin Jefferson was already well known. Without him playing healthy, the Vikings offense took a step down. Kirk Cousins threw for 284 yards and two scores, and he needed 47 attempts since the rushing offense took the day off. Alexander Mattison (8-26) and Cam Akers (5-15) are dividing up already mediocre stats. Mattison caught two passes for 20 yards and the final score for the Vikings. Jefferson only caught three passes for 28 yards. Jordan Addison (6-64, TD) and T.J. Hockenson (5-51) couldn’t replace what Jefferson brought. The Vikings defense played better than expected but couldn’t make up for their own offense. The 1-4 Vikings look to get back to winning with a trip to Chicago, but much rides on the health of Jefferson.
Dallas 10, San Francisco 31
Well. How about them Cowboys? They are consistently involved in blowouts, only not always on the winning side. The loss to the 49ers opens many questions up about the new offense that has never done that much, but the Dallas defense controlled most games. They wanted a more conservative offense to keep Dak Prescot from throwing interceptions, but he just passed for 153 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. It was his only meeting with a defense that wasn’t attached to a 1-3 team. CeeDee Lamb (4-49) was the leading receiver thanks to his 29-yard catch. No other receiver gained more than 35 yards. Tony Pollard (8-29) never had a chance to get into a groove but added four catches for 35 yards to salvage some fantasy value. The 3-2 Cowboys heads to Los Angeles to face the Chargers on Monday. The Cowboys have to also sort out defensive injuries from Sunday night.
The 5-0 49ers already look ready for the NFC Championship game. Brock Purdy passed for 252 yards and four touchdowns. George Kittle (3-67, 3 TDs) only managed the three catches while Brandon Aiyuk (4-58) and Deebo Samuel (3-55) didn’t need to do more than they did in the blowout win. Christian McCaffrey ran for 51 yards on 19 carries with the obligatory touchdown. He only bothered to catch two passes for 27 yards because the 49ers only bothered to throw 24 passes. The beatdown was so thorough that they benched most starters for the entire fourth quarter. The 49ers head to Cleveland for Week 6.
GAME-O-THE-WEEK: Carolina 24, Detroit 42
This is the sort of game that fantasy football loves. The Panthers were never really in this, and yet a total of 66 points were scored. Bryce Young threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns, with two of them coming later in the fourth quarter of the already-decided game. Adam Thielen (11-107, TD) dominated the targets and DJ Chark (3-42, TD) again turned in fantasy-relevant stats. Miles Sanders (7-32) and Chuba Hubbard (9-35) were unable to get much going on the ground and notable that they are splitting carries now. Neither did anything as a receiver. Thielen doesn’t gain a lot on most catches, but he’s clearly become the primary receiver that Young trusts. The 0-5 Panthers search for their first win by heading to Miami where it’s going to take a lot of points to stay in the game.
The Lions won this comfortably and the wealth of fantasy points were spread over the entire offense. David Montgomery ran for 109 yards and a score on 19 rushes and added two catches for 20 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs was a scratch for the game, and Craig Reynolds mopped up with 52 yards and a score on his seven carries which were mostly in the fourth quarter. Jared Goff passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns between Josh Reynolds (4-76, TD) and Sam LaPorta (3-47, 2 TD). Amon-Ra St. Brown was also a scratch on the belief that they did not need him. They did not. The win lifts the Lions to 4-1 and they play in Tampa Bay for Week 6.
