NFL Week 5
The owners want a season, they are getting a season. The message has been made clear time and time again that the NFL will do whatever it takes to make sure that this season finishes. They can play Mr. Potato Head with the schedule, they will force teams to play 3 games in 11 days, they will trot third-string players as long as the season is preserved. This week we are seeing the actions at full throttle, the season is continuing despite not enough measures taken to prevent players from contracting a deadly virus. With that in mind, let’s dive into the NFL Week 5.
Jaguars vs. Texans
One has to believe that this game gave the Texans players extra motivation. Bill O’Brien was fired on Monday and all looks good in Houston. Deshaun Watson was playing at a new level. The supporting cast gave the Texans an extra jolt while the defense finally clamped down in a 30-14 win. Then you realize that they were playing the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that after their Week One upset has gone out of their way to look like the worst team in the NFL. The Texans will take their first victory of the season even if it is against a team that is intended as a morale-booster. The Texans look to have promise but this victory is by no means a determinant of the Texans being back to divisional contention.
Rams vs. Washington
Any fan of the game was happy yet nervous to see Alex Smith back on the football field. It has been a miraculous journey and recovery for Alex Smith, after nearly losing his leg and life on the field, it is incredible to see him back. Today, we were all cringing anytime he got hit, and he got hit a lot. The Washington Football Team does not have a viable offensive line and when All-Pro Aaron Donald is on the other end, we pray again for Alex Smith. The more the season progresses, the more I doubt if the Washington Football team can even call themselves a Football Team. They have been a disgrace and have been since Dan Snyder bought the team.
The Rams won this game by virtue of not doing anything extraneous, they played good enough on offense, that was good enough. Jared Goff made one errant throw that resulted in an interception but was able to manage a game that was all but theirs. The defense didn’t have a lot they needed to worry about stopping and they did their part in holding Washington to only 10 points. This win was only avoidance of a trap game that allowed the Rams to stay in contention in a tough NFC West.
Panthers vs. Falcons
The Falcons are finished, the season is over. Dan Quinn needed to go and finally has been fired. A team that appears to still be traumatized from 28-3 can only recover by blowing up the franchise. This still requires the team to find a way to part ways with Matt Ryan but the healing is beginning. The Falcons are no longer blowing leads in the fourth quarter, they aren’t amounting any, to begin with. Carolina is a clear example of how far the Falcons have fallen. The Panthers are a rebuilding team that is still a year away from competing, yet handled Atlanta in all facets of the game on Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers, on the other hand, look like they are going in the perfect direction. Matt Rhule has brought the College game and a balanced offense to Carolina. Teddy Bridgewater looks like the same quarterback that won every game he started in New Orleans, accurate, mobile, and smart with the ball. One has to wonder why the Panthers splurged in the off-season on Christian McCaffrey when the offense looks just as good without him (he’s an exciting player to watch but the offense looks like it hasn’t lost a step).
Bengals vs. Ravens
Prior to kickoff, everyone assumed the game was going to be a lopsided affair. The Bengals are far from competing and still must address more positions before being contenders again. In every possible form, the Bengals were outplayed. The sad part about this game is that it turned Joe Burrow into sloppy Joe, games like these, games where the Bengals are going to be massive underdogs and expected to lose, are the ones that Joe Burrow needs to prove that he can at least keep the team in the game and offense at peak performance (he threw for 183 yards, no touchdowns, fumbled the ball once and threw an interception). The Ravens winning only keeps them at pace with the rest of the competitive AFC North, it was a must-win in that regard.
Raiders vs. Chiefs
We finally have an upset with season implications. The Chiefs dropping this game puts the AFC in a spiral that might leave another team in the driver’s seat for the best record.
This game was a virtue of the Raiders offense clicking on all cylinders. The running game was gashing the Chiefs with both Josh Jacobs and Devante Booker combining for 139 yards on the ground (plus two Josh Jacobs touchdowns). An offensive line that was missing Trent Brown at tackle was able to contain the edge rushers of Kansas City and only allow a one sack on the day. Most importantly, Derek Carr had one of his best days in his career. The 347 yards and 3 passing touchdowns were enough to win a shootout against Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs needed this wake-up call while the raiders needed this boost. The AFC West suddenly looks a bit more interesting at the top.
Cardinals vs. Jets
The Jets have become a disgrace. They must fire Adam Gase to save the franchise. Joe Flacco played for an injured Sam Darnold so we can’t continue to declare Darnold a bust. Yet, today we once again saw an unprepared and outmatched Jets team. The Jets might secretly be tanking for Trevor Lawrence but at this point, I would be nervous to join the Jets if I were Trevor Lawrence. The Jets will go through a massive and ugly overhaul this offseason. This season is going to be painful to continue watching. This wasn’t a Cardinals victory as much as it was a Cardinals exhibition game. The Arizona Cardinals will still take the win as they are in hot pursuit with the rest of the NFC West (it will be a tight race). Are they back on top? It might be too early to say.
Eagles vs. Steelers
It must be said that these Pennsylvania rivals once merged into one team for a few years (look it up it’s true). Now onto the game.
The outcome was inevitable and we weren’t surprised by much in this game. The Steelers have proven in the early window of the season that they have one of the more complete teams in the NFL. On Sunday, we saw how this roster is built to compete for the Super Bowl. The defense may have allowed 29 points but made up for the high total with two interceptions and five sacks. Pittsburgh was able to once again establish the run, keeping the Eagles defense in check. The highlight of the game for the Steelers was the breakout game from their rookie receiver Chase Claypool. Claypool caught 3 touchdowns and also gained 110 receiving yards. Claypool developing as a dominant receiver forces defenses to adapt to the Steelers attack, making the team only more dangerous.
Dolphins vs. 49ers
After watching Ryan Fitzpatrick for years, I think we all have grown accustomed to his style of play. Fitzpatrick will have games where he throws five touchdowns and zero interceptions and games where he throws zero touchdowns and five interceptions. The first half was one where Ryan Fitzpatrick looked prolific as the 49ers unraveled. Ryan Fitzpatrick was able to carve up an injured defense with the emerging top tight end in the NFL in Mike Gesiki and jump-ball winner Devante Parker.
With a 30-7 halftime lead, the game was all but over. The 49ers threw in the towel as they benched Jimmy Garoppolo. The Dolphins will be excited about the win they pulled from the west coast from a team that appears to look like a potential juggernaut in the NFC. This game made it clear that the 49ers hit their wall. After beating both New York teams in back-to-back weeks (two of the worst teams in the NFL), the 49ers have been exposed. They need players back, they need the stars back that led them to a Super Bowl last season.
Colts vs. Browns
Anyone from Cleveland has to feel more optimistic about this Browns team than any in the current century. Baker Mayfield is making great throws. The running game is near unstoppable. O’Dell Beckham is finally making the headlines on the football field. This game was a mix of the Browns living up to the hype that many had for them last season and the Colts coming back to reality. Philip Rivers reminded us of his own self when he threw two interceptions (one being a pick-6) and an errant pass that resulted in a safety. Yet, this Browns team feels different. This was the game that we naturally assumed the Browns would fall back to reality. They outplayed a 3-1 Indianapolis Colts team for the majority of the game.
I have little invested in whether the Browns succeed or fail this season, but I wouldn’t buy into the hype. I know that this could be the year for a lot of milestones, but I know that the Browns are the snakebitten franchise of the NFL. It is only a matter of time before the losing streak ensues. It would be fun to see them keep winning but I wouldn’t count on it.
Giants vs. Cowboys
Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome and brutal injury. This is a reminder that the game of football is intense and players are putting their bodies on the line. It is a beautiful game but also a dangerous one. A game that we must take all precautions necessary to assure that the game doesn’t lose its violence but keeps it’s violence under control and contained.
The game itself was a reminder of the inevitable when it comes to the Giants and particularly Daniel Jones. He will turn the ball over, he will cost the Giants points. The Cowboys were playing down to the Giants for most of the game but were able to close out at the end when it was crunch time. Andy Dalton is now the Cowboys quarterback, in most years that would hurt Dallas. Ironically, this season, the Cowboys fare better with a bland quarterback. The NFC East seems to be destroying itself. All the Cowboys need is a quarterback that can keep them in games and not turn the ball over. Dalton is serviceable, which is just what the Cowboys need at this time.
Vikings vs. Seahawks
I don’t know how this became the game of the week. The Seahawks are a borderline Super Bowl team while the Vikings are attempting to crawl out of the cellar. The Vikings were able to control the first half. They led 13-0 as they let Dalvin Cook carry the offense. The defense was also able to keep the MVP candidate in check. Unfortunately for Minnesota, when it rains it pours and the scores came in bunches for Seattle. The Seahawks suddenly had a 21-13 lead and the Vikings looked like they were going to lose by two scores.
The game ultimately came down to the final two minutes, many will question Mike Zimmer’s decision to go for it on fourth down instead of kick the field goal but the math appears to back him up. The problem was they didn’t convert, allowing Russell Wilson to march down the field and remind everyone why he is the MVP front-runner. This game in many ways can summarize how both teams have played throughout the season, specifically how the Seahawks are finding ways to win games they should be losing while the Vikings are losing games they likely can be winning.
