2024 NFL season, Week 5: What We Learned from Sunday's games

New York Jets

2024 · 2-3-0

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Minnesota Vikings

2024 · 5-0-0

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• READ: Rodgers after second loss in a row: Jets must ‘stick together’
• READ: 60K club: Rodgers becomes ninth player to reach career yards mark

Jeremy Bergman’s takeaways:

1. Rodgers rallies Jets but comes up just short. Aaron Rodgers and the jet-lagged Jets looked lost in London for much of Sunday’s proceedings. Rodgers resembled the banged-up 40-year-old he is and was a step slow on the Tottenham turf early on against a familiar opponent in Minnesota. He threw two picks in the first half — one an awful read on a short crosser that led to an Andrew Van Ginkel pick-six and the other a lazy overthrow of his preferred target, Allen Lazard, downfield. The QB looked down for the count after getting twisted underneath a slew of Vikings defender in the third quarter — he got checked out in the injury tent — but valiantly returned and oversaw a comeback attempt. Rodgers leaned on his much-dissected connection with Garrett Wilson, who paced New York with 101 yards on 13 catches and 22(!) targets. Their touchdown connection with six minutes left in the game cut what was once a 17-point Minnesota lead to three. After holding the Vikings to a field goal, Rodgers led New York down just outside Minnesota’s red zone with under a minute to go. But that’s where Gang Green stalled. Rodgers launched two incompletions before testing Mike Williams against Stephon Gilmore down the right sideline. Williams didn’t see the veteran QB’s back-shoulder pass coming, but Gilmore did, securing Rodgers’ third interception of the afternoon and sending New York back across the Atlantic with a third loss. Does Davante Adams await them upon their return?
2. Minnesota’s magic running out? The Vikings improved to 5-0 with Sunday’s nail-biting victory over the Jets, but it was their diciest duel of the season so far. An MVP candidate through four weeks, Sam Darnold was harried and harassed against his former team, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards and taking four sacks, including one right in the ribs. Darnold returned after Nick Mullens came in for one play, but wasn’t the same after the knock. Also banged up was Aaron Jones, who came out of the game in the first quarter with a hip injury and never returned. Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin and C.J. Ham didn’t have nearly the same burst. The Vikings offense reached the end zone just once against New York after scoring eight times in the previous two weeks. Thankfully for Minnesota, Week 6 brings a bye and a time to reset and refuel. A win is a win, and no team will have more than Minnesota through Sunday.
3. Jets’ issues with penalties persist. In New York’s sloppy loss to the Broncos in Week 4, the Jets were flagged 13 times for 90 yards, many of the penalties coming before the snap. Gang Green didn’t have quite the same issue overseas in Week 5 but continued to get in its own way. Tasked with having to shut down the top receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson, New York was flagged five times going up against the gritty Griddier. Pass interference, holding and illegal contact calls on Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed led to five Minnesota first downs and kept a number of scoring drives alive. Jefferson finished with 92 receiving yards — and 61 yards picked up via penalty. On a day when the defense was otherwise giving Minnesota fits, holding one of the top offenses in the league to 4 of 13 on third down and 3.8 yards per play, the Jets’ lack of discipline in the secondary extended possessions for the Vikings and set the team back. For a coaching staff in its fourth year, it’s inexcusable that persistent penalties remain a recurring narrative.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Jets-Vikings (via NFL Pro): The Jets generated pressure on 15 of the Vikings’ 37 dropbacks (40.5%), sacking Sam Darnold four times in the process. Eight different players generated at least one pressure for the Jets.

NFL Research: With the Jets at 2-3, this is the first time Aaron Rodgers is under .500 through five starts since 2012 (finished 11-5, made playoffs with Packers).

Carolina Panthers

2024 · 1-4-0

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Chicago Bears

2024 · 3-2-0

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Eric Edholm’s takeaways:

1. Bears offense finally gets going early. After the Bears went out meagerly on their opening three-and-out drive, including a near pick-six on the opening pass, it continued a familiar theme. In five opening drives this season, Chicago has a total of six first downs. But that trend was quashed quickly as the Bears scored touchdowns on four of their next five possessions in the first half. Caleb Williams found an early groove, and DJ Moore caught two first-half touchdowns, eating up his former team. D’Andre Swift continued his Week 4 production with more than 100 first-half yards from scrimmage and a rushing score, and the Bears were on their way to their best offensive performance in the Williams era. The second half wasn’t as pretty, but the Bears led comfortably and never were a threat to lose. This is the kind of building-block game Williams and the Bears offense needed, even if it came against the Panthers.
2. Panthers defense in shambles after another tough game. After earning an opening three-and-out stop, the Panthers defense had few answers for a Bears offense that entered the game in the developmental stage. It’s hard to say this was surprising, considering the Panthers entered the game as a bottom-five unit in several categories. Making matters worse was Carolina’s health. The Panthers already were without both starting inside linebackers (Shaq Thompson on injured reserve, Josey Jewell inactive), a starting safety (Jordan Fuller) and their Pro Bowl defensive tackle (Derrick Brown). Then, during the game, one of their few reliable pass rushers, Jadeveon Clowney left the game with a shoulder injury. Carolina played almost exclusively zone defense, but the Bears kept finding holes. It was concerning that Caleb Williams was able to buy as much time and scramble as frequently and as effectively as he did. Late in the game, cornerback Jaycee Horn was ejected when he and other Panthers defenders lost their cool on a Bears TD. It was a tense game on that side of the ball, and they’ll have to find some defensive answers with more explosive offenses coming up on the schedule.
3. Bears defense smothers Dalton, Panthers. Chuba Hubbard ran 38 yards untouched for the game’s opening touchdown, but it was one of the few big mistakes from a Bears defense that held Andy Dalton to 8 passing yards in the first half and forced three Carolina turnovers. The Panthers hit on some big plays in the second half in garbage time, but the Bears’ defense turned in its best effort as a unit since Week 1. If you’re looking for an unsung standout, it should be Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, who had a sack, five pressures and a fumble recovery on 30 snaps. He’s been terrific this season, especially at Soldier Field — that’s four straight home games with a sack. What stands out is how much ground he covers; his motor is always running, and it was hustle and awareness that led him to falling on Tommy Tremble’s fumble near midfield in a 14-7 game. The Bears scored twice more before the half was over, but Dexter’s recovery was a big turning point.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Panthers-Bears (via NFL Pro): Chuba Hubbard reached a top speed of 20.68 mph on his 38-yard TD run, his fastest speed as a ball-carrier of his career. Hubbard gained +31 rushing yards over expected on the play (0.3% TD probability).

NFL Research: The Panthers have allowed 165 points this season, the worst total in franchise history through their first five games of a season. 

Baltimore Ravens

2024 · 3-2-0

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Cincinnati Bengals

2024 · 1-4-0

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• READ: Ravens’ Henry concludes historic day with 51-yard OT run
• READ: Bengals WRs lament lack of overtime chances in loss

Kevin Patra’s takeaways:

1. Lamar wills Ravens to comeback victory. Not since July 4th has Cincinnati seen such a fireworks display. Unfortunately for the locals, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens lit the last explosive. Derrick Henry rumbled for 51 yards following a Bengals missed field goal in overtime, and Justin Tucker chipped home the game-winner to cap a barnburner. Credit Jackson for spearheading a comeback down double digits multiple times in the fourth quarter. With Cincy focused on slowing the ground game, Lamar picked apart a banged-up Bengals secondary to the tune of 348 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson dropped lobs and lasers through the middle of the Bengals defense. He completed 10 of 15 intermediate passes (10-19 air yards) for 174 yards and a touchdown, per Next Gen Stats. When he wasn’t dicing up the D with his arm, the QB was pinballing off defenders for yards on the ground. The most ridiculous play came deep in the fourth quarter. Jackson flubbed the snap, then stiff-armed Sam Hubbard to keep the play alive. He discarded the pass rusher, extending the play to throw off-balance for a TD to Isaiah Likely. In the five-period game, the Ravens put up 520 yards and 30 first downs. They needed every one for a big division win.
2. Bengals offense lights up scoreboard. The early season doldrums are certainly over for the Cincy offense. Joe Burrow rolled over a heretofore stingy Ravens defense for 392 yards passing and five touchdowns. However, his one miscue — a fourth-quarter interception where Marlon Humphrey jumped the slant — opened the door for the Ravens to force OT. After issues early in the season, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are at full force. The duo tortured the Ravens’ secondary on Sunday. Chase put up 10 grabs for 193 yards and two scores, including an electric, weaving 70-yard catch-and-scamper score. Higgins, meanwhile, added nine catches for 83 yards and two TDs. Burrow was on the mark all game, throwing pinpoint darts into traffic and showing off superb deep accuracy. Early in the second half, the Ravens couldn’t get Burrow and Co. off the field. Cincy scored TDs on three straight possessions while converting its first seven third downs of the half. There is little question that the Bengals offense can score with the best. Now, if only the defense could get a few more stops. Jackson and Burrow do it in different ways, but Sunday’s performance by both quarterbacks was as electric a QB matchup as we’ve seen this season. 
3. Zac Taylor made some questionable play-calls at the end. Despite his stellar play, Jackson nearly fumbled the game away. In OT, the QB took his eyes off the ball, dropping the snap, which the Bengals recovered at the Ravens’ 38-yard-line. Instead of putting the ball in Burrow’s hands on a five-TD day, Taylor was content to run the ball three consecutive times, earning three yards. The decisions set up a 53-yard attempt by Evan McPherson. The snap came back wide, Ryan Rehkow couldn’t get it down clean and McPherson missed wide left. Even with kickers making 50-yard field goals like they were pitching wedges into a mile-wide green these days, settling for long attempts is a dicey proposition. Too many things can go wrong. Particularly on this day, against this opponent, why Taylor didn’t put the ball in Burrow’s hands is head-scratching. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Ravens-Bengals (via NFL Pro): Trey Hendrickson generated seven pressures on 20 pass rush matchups against Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley (35.0% pressure rate), the second-most pressures Stanley has allowed to a single player in his career.

NFL Research: Derrick Henry became the third player age 30+ with 500-plus rushing yards and five-plus rushing TDs in the first five games of a season. He joined Curtis Martin and Priest Holmes (both in 2004).

Buffalo Bills

2024 · 3-2-0

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Houston Texans

2024 · 4-1-0

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Kevin Patra’s takeaways:

1. Texans overcome miscues, escape on last-second field goal. Houston got off to a hot start, sprinting to a 14-3 first-quarter lead after a 67-yard bomb from C.J. Stroud to Nico Collins. However, the NFL’s leading receiver suffered a hamstring injury and missed the rest of the game. Without his big-play target, Stroud and the offense struggled with consistency the rest of the way. Much like a week ago, the Texans stumbled in the final two quarters, this time with two uncharacteristic Stroud turnovers. An interception in scoring range and a fumble backed up in his own end kept the Bills in the game. Also like a week ago, when needed on the final possession, Stroud deftly made a play to set up a 59-yard field goal that Ka’imi Fairbairn hammered down the pike. It wasn’t pretty for Houston without Collins or Joe Mixon, as the offensive line continues to struggle. The offense put up 425 yards but only nine points in the final three quarters. It says a lot that DeMeco Ryans’ club hasn’t played a complete game, but is still 4-1. 
2. Allen, Bills offense struggle once again. Sunday marked the worst passing day of Josh Allen‘s career, who completed a woeful 9 of 30 attempts for 131 yards with a touchdown. The 30% completion rate was a career low for the star QB and the lowest percentage in a game with at least 30 attempts in the past 30 seasons. Allen had never had a sub-40 rate before Sunday. Of Allen’s 131 yards, 49 came on a fourth-down catch-and-run TD from rookie Keon Coleman. The Bills were at their best with James Cook (20 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown) on the ground. When they had to go to the air, Allen rarely had open receivers and was under constant pressure. A play that epitomized the Bills’ passing struggles was a third-quarter toss from Allen that hit Coleman in the back of the head as the rookie WR didn’t read the hot route and was run-blocking. Watching the growing pains between Allen and most of his WR corps is sometimes painful. Without Khalil Shakir on the field, Bills receivers didn’t generate separation and couldn’t overcome Allen’s misfires. While Stroud hit his big bomb to Collins, Allen couldn’t find the range deep on several shots. It’s been a rough couple of weeks passing for Allen as the offense gets herky-jerky when the ground game can’t grind. In a game where they were outgained, 425-276, it was impressive that the game was even close. 
3. Fairbairn comes through once again. Ka’imi Fairbairn nailed the game-winner after some questionable game management late by the Bills. On Sunday, Fairbairn made his seventh and eighth field goals of 50-plus yards. The eight made field goals of 50-plus yards rank as the most in the NFL in 2024, entering the late window. Eight made FGs of 50-plus yards are the most through the first five weeks of a season all time. Only four kickers made eight-plus 50-yard FGs in the entire 2023 season (only two made nine-plus), per NFL Research. The record for most 50-plus yard FGs made in a season is 11 (Las Vegas’ Daniel Carlson in 2022). With the Texans offense not performing at its height consistently to open the season, Fairbairn has still been able to put points on the board with a big leg. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Bills-Texans (via NFL Pro): C.J. Stroud completed 9 of 10 pass attempts against the Bills’ blitz for 139 yards (+23.4% CPOE, second-highest in career).

NFL Research: Josh Allen is the second player in NFL history with 175-plus passing TDs and 50-plus rush TDs in a career (Cam Newton).

Indianapolis Colts

2024 · 2-3-0

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Jacksonville Jaguars

2024 · 1-4-0

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Eric Edholm’s takeaways:

1. Lawrence delivered on his birthday in Jaguars’ first W. Maybe all Trevor Lawrence wanted for his birthday was a victory. The Jaguars were the lone remaining winless team, and Lawrence’s winless streak dated back to Week 12 last year – nine losses in games he started. Both of those came to an end Sunday on Lawrence’s 25th birthday, as he played his best game of the season, finishing off a victory that was way tougher than it should have been. The Jags’ defense made Lawrence earn the win by allowing 24 fourth-quarter points, including 17 in a wild four-minute span that erased the Jags’ two-TD lead. It was tied with three minutes left when Lawrence led the Jaguars calmly on a 39-yard field-goal drive to finish it off. Lawrence had one interception on a pass he forced into traffic, but he completed 28 of 34 passes for a career-high 371 yards and two TD passes. The first one was a much-needed 85-yard bomb to Brian Thomas Jr., who quickly has become Lawrence’s best target. It wasn’t all roses as Lawrence and Gabe Davis were seen having a heated exchange on the sideline in the first quarter, but Lawrence kept his cool and played his best game in recent memory.
2. Flacco nearly led the shorthanded Colts back, but it wasn’t enough. The Colts likely didn’t expect to roll to 34 points and nearly 450 yards on Sunday, missing quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and center Ryan Kelly. Yet that’s exactly what happened, even if a lot of it came in catch-up mode and in a loss. You can blame the Colts defense on that, as they had few answers for the Jaguars, missing cornerback Kenny Moore and edge Kwity Paye. Joe Flacco did his best in Richardson’s place, throwing for 359 yards and three TD passes on 33-of-44 passing. He threw for 183 yards and two of those TDs in the fourth quarter alone, leading the Colts to tie the game at 34 after trailing 34-20 with five minutes left. Flacco had a 21-yard scramble and should have had another fourth-quarter TD pass, but Mo Alie-Cox couldn’t haul in an over-the-shoulder throw midway through the quarter, settling for a field goal. This still should be Richardson’s team, but it’s hard not to notice how much more effectively the operation runs on a snap-to-snap basis when Flacco is at QB. Now the Colts just need some defensive help and they might win games such as this.
3. Walker, Hines-Allen stepped up for Jaguars defensively. The Jags’ defense was carved up a few times early by Flacco and the Colts, and they were put in a tough spot after Gabe Davis fumbled near the end of the half. That’s when the pass-rush duo stepped up for a game-changing play. Travon Walker strip-sacked Flacco, and Josh Hines-Allen picked it up and nearly scored, taking it to the Indy 12-yard line. The Jaguars kicked a field goal to go up 13-10 at the half. Walker finished the game with three sacks (for minus-31 yards), five tackles, the forced fumble and a pass deflected. Hines-Allen had a sack of his own, plus three tackles. Together they combined for 13 of the Jaguars’ 17 pressures on Flacco, keeping the defense afloat for long stretches, even while Jacksonville looked to be on the verge of breaking. The Colts got the ball back for one last-gasp chance to tie the game late, but Walker’s walk-off sack ended it. Walker and Hines-Allen combined for three sacks coming into the game, so this was the kind of performance this talented duo needed to get the Jaguars in the win column. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Colts-Jaguars (via NFL Pro): Colts WR Alec Pierce entered the fourth quarter without a target on 29 routes run, but he hauled in all three of his targets after that point against the Jaguars, totaling 134 yards and a touchdown. All three of Pierce’s targets and receptions came 20-plus yards downfield. Pierce has accumulated 295 receiving yards on deep targets this season, most in the NFL entering Sunday afternoon.

NFL Research: Trevor Lawrence improved to 5-2 against the Colts in his career. In the seven games in which Lawrence is credited with a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, the Colts are the only team against whom he has accomplished the feat twice.

Miami Dolphins

2024 · 2-3-0

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New England Patriots

2024 · 1-4-0

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Nick Shook’s takeaways:

1. Dolphins grind out an ugly win. Those expecting the high-flying Dolphins to reappear were likely disappointed by Sunday’s performance, because without Tua Tagovailoa, this passing game is incredibly limited. Most everything — including field goals — remains difficult for Miami to properly execute, too, but in a matchup that offered a chance to get a much-needed win, the Dolphins were able to dig deep and pull one out. It began in the second half, in which the Dolphins managed to string together a few consecutive scoring drives, producing two field goals before finding enough consistency to march 80 yards on a methodical, 15-play drive that ended in an Alec Ingold touchdown run. For the first time in what felt like ages, the Dolphins generated some explosive plays on that drive, starting with a 21-yard Tyler Huntley pass to Tyreek Hill and continuing with two big runs (a Jaylen Wright carry for 16 yards and a Raheem Mostert rush for 18 yards). It was almost as if the Dolphins finally won the war of attrition in the trenches at the perfect time and were able to hold on for the win — a mildly encouraging sign for a team that desperately needed one.
2. Brissett is tough as nails. The Patriots have quickly learned they only have a realistic chance of victory if their ground game is working, and that was again the case Sunday, as Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and Jacoby Brissett combined to gain 151 of their 299 total yards on the ground. But make no mistake, Brissett is playing valiantly. He’s under constant duress in this offense and was once again bludgeoned by an opposing pass rush, yet that didn’t faze him. Brissett stood in the pocket on multiple occasions and delivered passes when he knew he was going to get clobbered, and continued to shake off the blows to get back up and keep leading this offense. He nearly led the Patriots to a comeback win, but as is the case with most teams lacking in overall talent, the margins — e.g., Ja’Lynn Polk failing to get both feet in bounds on a would-be go-ahead touchdown catch — made the difference. Even in a loss, Brissett should be commended for his efforts in a tough situation.
3. Miami finds a spark on the ground. Wright arrived as a high-potential back who wasn’t in line to see a ton of carries in a loaded Dolphins backfield, but once De’Von Achane exited due to injury, Wright’s moment arrived. He capitalized, leading the Dolphins with 86 rushing yards on 13 carries and balancing out a backfield that leaned on Mostert for 19 carries and 80 yards. This is where depth — which the Dolphins have notably lacked under center — pays off for a team in a moment of need. Their talented backfield came through in a big way, picking up 123 yards in the second half to help the Dolphins climb back into a low-scoring affair that was available for the taking.

Next Gen Stats insight from Dolphins-Patriots (via NFL Pro): Jacoby Brissett was pressured on 19 of 37 dropbacks (51.4%) in Week 5, his third game this season in which he faced a pressure rate of 50 percent or higher.

NFL Research: This was the first time the Dolphins have won a road game against the Patriots despite allowing 150-plus rushing yards in the game.

Cleveland Browns

2024 · 1-4-0

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Washington Commanders

2024 · 4-1-0

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• READ: NFL Research: QB Daniels continues historic start to rookie season

Nick Shook’s takeaways:

1. Daniels continues to roll. Another week, and another example of how Jayden Daniels is quickly transforming Washington from a woeful franchise into one of the most hopeful in the NFL. Daniels is special and proved it time and time again, taking off for big gains on scrambles (six for 65 yards) and throwing on the run effortlessly (three scramble pass attempts for 88 yards, including a beautiful early deep shot to Terry McLaurin). Third down became a nightmare for Cleveland’s defense because of Daniels, who helped Washington convert eight of 17 attempts. Daniels finished with 238 yards and a majestic touchdown pass to Dyami Brown, and led the Commanders’ potent rushing attack with 82 yards on 11 attempts. He was the riddle that was impossible for the Browns to solve, and although his completion percentage was lower than he’d posted through his first month as a pro, he once again made it look effortless in an easy win.
2. It’s time to bench Deshaun. Cleveland’s offense is bad. The Browns’ offensive line doesn’t protect well, they rarely find reliable success on the ground, they continue to commit too many penalties and they even struggle to get the play called and lined up in time. But it doesn’t take even a full game’s worth of tape to understand how Deshaun Watson is holding this team back. He misses open throws, holds on to the ball too long (he averaged a time of throw of 3.24 seconds Sunday) and five weeks of unrelenting pressure have caused him to pull his eyes down as soon as he senses the heat, making for the easiest third-down decisions for opposing defenses (hint: send the house). The final score doesn’t suggest it, but Cleveland wasted an encouraging defensive start because its offense couldn’t locate the shifter to move out of park. Watson isn’t solely to blame — the Browns’ route patterns on third down leave plenty to be desired — but it’s not difficult to imagine a capable veteran (Joe Flacco , Jacoby Brissett and perhaps Jameis Winston, to name a few) executing more consistently than he is in 2024. And at 1-4, desperation is going to take hold quickly.
3. Dan Quinn’s defense is starting to come together. The narrative surrounding Washington has been rightfully centered on its phenom quarterback, and in the first few weeks, the Commanders needed Daniels to power them to victory because they couldn’t get many stops. That’s changed in the last two weeks. Washington held Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to 14 points in a blowout win on the road in Week 4, then returned home to shut down the Browns in another runaway victory. Cleveland didn’t clear 100 total yards of offense until midway through the third quarter, and convert a third down (the Browns finished 1 for 13) until a meaningless final drive of the game. Washington sacked Watson seven times, forced a turnover and gave the Browns no hope they’d be able to sustain drives if they found themselves off schedule after first down. Frankie Luvu is a stud and led the Commanders with seven tackles and 2.5 sacks, and veteran Bobby Wagner finished right behind him with six tackles and 1.5 sacks. This unit is playing fast, especially up front and against the overmatched Browns, they feasted.

Next Gen Stats Insight from Browns-Commanders (via NFL Pro): After recording eight sacks combined between Weeks 1-4, Washington generated QB pressures at a rate of 43.6% against Cleveland, producing seven sacks.

NFL Research: The Commanders are the first team since the 1970 merger to score 150-plus points in their first five games of the season while starting a rookie quarterback.

Las Vegas Raiders

2024 · 2-3-0

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Denver Broncos

2024 · 3-2-0

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Coral Smith’s takeaways:

1. Broncos offense warms up through game. Last week against the Jets, a rainy day resulted in a 10-9 win but very little offensive output for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense. This Sunday looked to be following a similar pattern early on, with Denver collecting 125 net yards and a pair of field goals in five first-half drives. But things started to gel in the third quarter when Nix led the offense 50 yards for a touchdown, and then added to the lead with touchdown drives of 58 and 39 yards in the fourth. Despite the slow start, it was by far Nix’s best outing as a pro, going 19 of 27 for 206 yards and two TDs with a 117.2 rating, his first game with a 100-plus passer rating and first with multiple passing TDs. Nix also added a TD on the ground. He is just the second Broncos rookie with two pass TDs and a rush TD in a game, per NFL Research. Behind continuing improvement from their rookie signal-caller, the Broncos earned their first win over the Raiders this decade, having lost their previous eight contests.
2. Minshew’s tough day raises QB questions. It was always going to be a tough task for the Raiders to match up against the Broncos’ highly touted defense, but with major playmakers out and mistakes aplenty, a hot start for Las Vegas gave way to the offense going cold for the majority of the game. Leading 10-3, quarterback Gardner Minshew marched the team all the way down to the Denver 5-yard line before throwing a costly pick-six to Patrick Surtain II. His offense never recovered, as the Broncos’ next five drives consisted of just 20 plays and 28 net yards, culminating in another interception in the third quarter. Aidan O’Connell was brought in to try to spark what was working early, with mixed results. He led one touchdown drive but also threw an interception and turned it over on downs to end the game. The question now is whether the QB switch was just a one-time measure on a tough day for Minshew, or whether this could be the impetus for O’Connell being handed the starting reins midway through a season for the second straight year.
3. Broncos ride another strong defensive effort to victory. Denver has had one of the top defenses in the league through the first quarter of the season, and continued to be a difference-maker on Sunday. Though they allowed 10 consecutive points to the Raiders offense in the first quarter, the defense then locked it down, led by game-changing plays from their two cornerbacks. Surtain was first to produce a highlight moment, picking off Minshew at the goal line and returning it 100 yards for a touchdown. Minshew threw another pick to the man opposite Surtain later in the game, as Riley Moss got in front of the receiver on an underthrown ball to snag his first career interception. That turnover ended Minshew’s night, but Surtain added on one more interception off O’Connell for good measure, giving him the second multi-interception game of his career. 

Next Gen Stats insight from Raiders-Broncos (via NFL Pro): Patrick Surtain II reached a top speed of 20.92 mph on his 100-yard pick six, his fastest speed as a ball-carrier since Week 12 of the 2021 season. He was also the first player to reach 20-plus mph on a pick-six this season.

NFL Research: Maxx Crosby sacked Bo Nix twice on Sunday, making him the fourth player since 1982 (when individual sacks started being tracked) to have at least one sack in 10 consecutive games versus a single opponent.

Arizona Cardinals

2024 · 2-3-0

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San Francisco 49ers

2024 · 2-3-0

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Nick Shook’s takeaways:

1. Murray, Conner come through in clutch. If we’ve learned anything about these Cardinals through the first month, it’s that they need their run game to work in order to have a chance to win. At halftime, 50 of their 75 total rushing yards came on one play (Kyler Murray‘s 50-yard touchdown run), and James Conner had nine yards on six carries. He ended with 86 on 19 carries. While that might not jump off the screen, it played a pivotal role in helping the Cardinals stay on schedule, sustain drives and produce points in a second half in which they needed to score on nearly every possession to have a chance to win. With Conner rumbling between the tackles, Arizona avoided becoming one-dimensional while digging out from a 23-10 halftime deficit, allowing Murray the unpredictability needed to find some success in the passing game. Murray delivered, dotting the field with intermediate passes before tossing a touchdown to Elijah Higgins early in the fourth. His best throw required guts (and desperation) on a must-have fourth down completion to Marvin Harrison Jr., keeping the Cardinals alive before new arrival Chad Ryland drilled the go-ahead field goal. When it was all over, the Cardinals had completed an incredibly unlikely comeback, which just might be enough to help this team turn a corner.
2. Brandon Aiyuk breaks through for Niners. It took a month, but it finally happened: Aiyuk finally had a big game. He started fast and furious, making leaping grabs over the middle on his way to a six-reception, 115-yard first half for the 49ers, dominating in receiving production. It was an encouraging sign for a 49ers offense that was humming in the first half, gaining 249 yards before the break. But as was the case with the rest of San Francisco’s offense, things tailed off in the final two quarters. Arizona limited Aiyuk to just two catches for 32 yards in the second half as the 49ers sputtered and failed to put a single additional point on the board. This loss will sting, but if we’re looking for silver linings, Aiyuk’s standout game (or half, at least) was an encouraging sign for the long haul.
3. Arizona’s defense responds. The entire Cardinals defense deserves game balls for their second-half performance. We’ll start with the unknown linebacker Jesse Luketa, who hadn’t played a single snap (defense or special teams) all season prior to Sunday, but was called upon and made a massive play, punching the ball out of running back Jordan Mason‘s arm on first-and-goal with fewer than seven minutes left to play, granting the Cardinals the takeaway they absolutely needed to have a chance of winning. We continue with fan favorite Dennis Gardeck, who flung an arm up in the arm to deflect a Brock Purdy pass on third-and-23, forcing the 49ers into a nearly impossible fourth-and-23 they were forced to attempt to convert because 49ers kicker Jake Moody injured his ankle earlier in the game. And we’ll finish with safety Jalen Thompson, who navigated traffic on a blitz to hit Purdy as he tried to throw to a wide-open George Kittle, sending the ball upward for Kyzir White to intercept to seal the win. This was a complete team win for the Cardinals, who shut out the 49ers in the second half and repeatedly delivered in key moments.

Next Gen Stats Insight from Cardinals-49ers (via NFL Pro): James Conner recorded 19 carries for 86 yards (+10 rushing yards over expected) while forcing nine missed tackles, tied for the fourth-most by any player in a game this season.

NFL Research: The 49ers scored zero points in the second half of their Week 5 loss, marking the first time in Brock Purdy’s career as a starting QB that the team was shut out in the second half of a game.

Green Bay Packers

2024 · 2-3-0

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Los Angeles Rams

2024 · 1-4-0

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Eric Edholm’s takeaways:

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1. Jordan Love shakes off bad first half, questions about knee. The Packers were lucky to be down only three at halftime following a terrible half of execution. Love’s horrific pick-six from his own end zone was the big blow, but the Packers were outplayed on both lines of scrimmage. Love led Green Bay on a field-goal drive before the half, but he was sharper on two TD drives in a momentum-shifting third quarter. Love hit Tucker Kraft on a 66-yard touchdown, with Kraft stiff-arming one defender and breaking another tackle — a terrific play from one of the budding weapons in this offense. Kraft added another TD in the third quarter on a screen. The Packers needed all the weapons today with Romeo Doubs serving a suspension and Christian Watson (ankle) out, leaning heavily on Kraft and Jayden Reed (97 yards from scrimmage). Love started poorly, and it was fair to question the health of his knee after last week’s shaky performance, but he looked spry on a 12-yard scramble early in the fourth quarter on third-and-12 and finished the game far stronger than he started it. Following the pick-six, he was 10-of-15 passing for 152 yards and two TDs.
2. Rams made it interesting, but mistakes added up. The Rams head into their bye battered and bruised at 1-4, having lost three of those games by one possession. They had a better chance of pulling out Sunday’s game than they did the Week 4 loss at Chicago, having the ball in Matthew Stafford‘s hands down five points with three minutes left. Stafford moved the Rams to midfield, but he took a tough sack on second down, which forced the Rams to use their final timeout. His fourth-down pass to Colby Parkinson then fell incomplete. Stafford wasn’t in his typical groove, which can be expected without multiple OL starters and his top two receivers. Things got even dicier on the final three plays after Jordan Whittington — the Rams’ leading receiver on Sunday — left the game late with injury. Stafford’s third-quarter interception came on an overthrow, which helped shift the game in Green Bay’s favor. It wasn’t all on the QB, however. The Rams had a bad 12-men penalty right before the half that killed a third-down stop and left to a Packers field goal, and Kyren Williams offset a strong game running the ball with a costly fumble that Green Bay turned into points. Shorthanded as the Rams are, they can’t afford these kinds of mistakes in close games.
3. Xavier McKinney has been well worth the money. The Packers made a bold move in free agency, signing McKinney to a $70 million contract, and there’s always a question how quickly a safety can make his presence felt with a new team and new scheme. In McKinney’s case, however, the answer is that he’s arguably been the Packers’ MVP through five games. He now has an interception in each one of them, securing Stafford’s high throw to help Green Bay take a 24-13 lead. Late in the third quarter, McKinney nearly came up with INT No. 6 on another Stafford overthrow, but it slipped through his hands. McKinney started the third quarter with the recovery of Kyren Williams’ fumble and was a broken tackle away from a long return. The Packers’ stud safety wasn’t done, as McKinney also made sure that Tutu Atwell didn’t somehow slip into the end zone on the Rams’ two-point try late in the game, forcing them to go for a touchdown on their final drive, down 24-19. McKinney has done everything you can ask — and more — from a big-money acquisition and is playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level now.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Packers-Rams (via NFL Pro): The Rams defense generated eight pressures on 29 dropbacks against the Packers, their lowest pressure rate (27.6%) generated in a game this season. The Rams struggled when not blitzing Jordan Love, generating only one pressure on 16 non-blitz dropbacks, the lowest pressure rate when not blitzing (6.3%) of any NFL defense in a game this season. The Rams also used less base personnel, utilizing 3-4 or 4-3 defenses on 19.6% of snaps, compared to 49.6% in Weeks 1-4 (second-highest rate in the NFL).

NFL Research: Packers safety Xavier McKinney became the first player since at least 1970 to intercept at least one pass in each of his first five games with a new club.

New York Giants

2024 · 2-3-0

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Seattle Seahawks

2024 · 3-2-0

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Kevin Patra’s takeaways:

1. Isaiah Simmons blocks field goal attempt to secure Big Blue road win. The Giants were on the verge of blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead as the Seahawks lined up for a game-tying 47-yard field goal with just over a minute remaining. Then Simmons struck. The linebacker legally leaped through the A-gap without touching a blocker and swatted Jason Myers‘ attempt. Bryce Ford-Wheaton returned the pigskin for the game-sealing touchdown. It was an exclamation point to a day in which the Giants played well in all three phases. New York sacked Geno Smith seven times, including three from a dominant Dexter Lawrence. The Giants D held the Seahawks offense in check most of the contest, including allowing just 90 first-half yards. Deonte Banks helped slow DK Metcalf. Banks lined up opposite Metcalf on 35 of his 47 routes (74.5%), limiting him to two catches on four targets for 24 yards, per Next Gen Stats. And Brian Burns screamed off the edge in big spots. It was a much-needed balanced effort from Brian Daboll’s club to move to 2-3.
2. Giants plow through beleaguered Seahawks defense. New York’s offense moved the ball at will in Seattle. Big Blue steamrolled Seattle for 420 yards. The opening drive ended in an Eric Gray fumble returned 102 yards for a touchdown by Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins, but the possession set the tone for New York. Daniel Jones played his best game all season, dropping dimes and finding the correct read to move the chains. Jones finished 23 of 34 for 257 yards and two TDs while adding 38 rushing yards on 11 totes. Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., taking on a more significant workload with Devin Singletary out, brought an added hard-nosed rushing element to the Giants’ backfield. Tracy generated 129 rushing yards on 18 carries (7.2 YPC), driving through arm tackles. With Tracy churning out yards, Jones was in good down-and-distances to dice up the Seahawks’ secondary. Dimes lived up to his nickname with several good deep balls to Darius Slayton. Even without dynamic rookie Malik Nabers, the Giants proved they could move the ball when Jones is protected and makes good decisions. The question in New York is whether Big Blue can stack good weeks.
3. Too little, too late for Seahawks offense. It took 3.5 quarters for the Seahawks to get things in gear on offense. Possessing the ball for just 8:05 of the first half didn’t allow Smith to get into any rhythm. Seattle generated just five first-half first downs. Despite the struggles, it was 10-10 at the break. For the second consecutive week, Metcalf fumbled in plus territory, wiping out a chance to take a third-quarter lead. With the lack of plays early, Kenneth Walker III never got going. Smith scrambles were the biggest plays for Seattle on Sunday. When they don’t have the threat of the run, Seattle’s offensive line isn’t good enough to keep pressure off Smith. The quarterback often had players on his face off the snap. Smith finally got things moving late, and Seattle had a chance to potentially take a late lead, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba couldn’t hold onto a third-down out-route, leading to the ill-fated field goal attempt. The defensive struggles are the biggest issue for Mike Macdonald’s club after getting scorched for two straight weeks. However, better execution on offense and Seattle could have overcome those issues on Sunday.

Next Gent Stats Insight from Giants-Seahawks (via NFL Pro): Geno Smith recorded an average time to throw of 2.38 seconds against the Giants, his quickest in a game with the Seahawks. Smith completed 18 of 26 passes for 145 yards on passes under 2.5 seconds. Smith averaged just 5.2 air yards per attempt, his fewest in a game since Week 4 of last season (4.3), which also came against the Giants.

NFL Research: Sunday marked the first time the Giants have had a player with a 100+ passer rating (Jones), a player with 100+ rush yards (Tracy), and a player with 100+ receiving yards (Slayton) in the same game since Week 16, 2014 (Eli Manning, Andre Williams, and Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle both with 100+ receiving yards in win at Rams).

Dallas Cowboys

2024 · 3-2-0

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Pittsburgh Steelers

2024 · 3-2-0

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• READ: T.J. Watt becomes second-fastest player to 100 sacks
• READ: Cowboys-Steelers game delayed to inclement weather

Grant Gordon’s takeaways:

1. Prescott struggles, shines in dramatic win. Rain poured down, the clock almost hit 1 a.m., goats became heroes and Dak Prescott saved the day in one of the most mercurial performances that could be imagined. Just a pair of snaps after he rescued certain defeat with a recovery of a Rico Dowdle fumble, Prescott found Jalen Tolbert for a 4-yard touchdown on fourth-and-game to go with 20 seconds remaining. It was his second touchdown, one fewer than his turnover count. Pending on which way the wind blew on a stormy night, Prescott was the reason the Cowboys had a chance or the culprit in their misdoings. He engineered big plays to CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson in the first half only to see drives end in field goals at best and turnovers in the red zone at worst. He threw a pair of picks (one per half) and lost a fumble, each of them killing productive drives. He finished the topsy-turvy showing with 352 passing yards, at times seeming to be on a different page with Lamb, and completed passes to nine receivers. Prescott’s being called on to play hero ball quite a bit this season. He survived and overcame plenty of pitfalls on Sunday to do just that. 
2. Fields starts slow, leaves questions to be answered. It took more than an hour after the scheduled kickoff for Sunday night’s game to start following a weather delay. Then it took more than a half of ugly football for Justin Fields to get going, but he responded. After missing a play to get checked out following a savage hit, Fields reentered and completed four consecutive passes, the last going for a 16-yard touchdown to Connor Heyward. Fields’ score to Heyward led to a 10-6 Steelers advantage and he connected with Pat Freiermuth on a 6-yard score with less than five minutes to go. Then Dak took over. For the most part, though, Pittsburgh’s offense couldn’t keep up with Dallas, getting outgained, 445-226, as it was stagnant despite playing against a beleaguered Cowboys defense. Pittsburgh was kept in the fight all evening thanks to a defense that bent but secured three takeaways to shut down Dallas scoring opportunities. Fields looked to be pressing amid his struggles, and after a second straight loss, one has to wonder what’s next at QB for the Steelers. Russell Wilson is getting healthier, and Fields’ winning touch has been washed away. If Mike Tomlin wants to light a fire, perhaps a change lies ahead. 
3. Dowdle steps up, avoids last-drive disaster. There was no black and white, good and bad in this one. Big plays were balanced by disastrous ones. That was the case for Rico Dowdle, who put forth what was likely the best game of his career and it was almost spoiled by a picture-perfect Elandon Roberts hit that caused a fumble at the 1-yard line on the game-winning drive. Prescott dove headfirst to recover the fumble and two plays later threw the dramatic game-winning TD pass. Before all that, Dowdle churned out a career-high 87 yards on 20 carries and hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass. Entering the week, the Cowboys were dead last in the league in rushing yards. If Dowdle can produce as he did on Sunday — minus the fumble — it’s a massive boon for Dallas going forward. 

Next Gent Stats Insight from Cowboys-Steelers (via NFL Pro): Despite playing without the injured Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys still had a higher pressure rate (35.5%) than the Steelers (26.7%).

NFL Research: The Steelers’ T.J. Watt became the second-fastest player to reach 100 sacks, doing so in 109 career games. Hall of Famer Reggie White is the only player to do it faster, achieving the feat in 96 games.