Week 5 in the NFL provided dramatic finishes and set a high bar for the rest of the season. Here is what to watch as we head into Week 6 and what stood out the most in the past week.
Seahawks-Broncos, Cowboys-Packers set for intriguing primetime clashes
It was a crushing 32-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers (5-0) on Sunday, especially as it relates to the competitive NFC West battle. However, the Seattle Seahawks (3-2) were just inches short of getting a first down late in the game and still pose a threat going into this road test against the Denver Broncos (3-2), even if the league’s 17th-ranked rushing attack (106 YPG) and highly penalized group has some flaws that need to be cleaned up.
The Broncos, meanwhile, needed a fourth-quarter rally to beat the winless Los Angeles Chargers (0-5), 23-17, as slow starts and inconsistent play from quarterback Bo Nix continue to plague them. As the teams prepare to face off on Thursday night, getting off to a much quicker start will be key for Denver against a Seahawks team that has not had much trouble moving the ball.
On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers (3-2) welcome the Dallas Cowboys (2-3) in a pivotal game for both teams this early in the season. With a defense that can’t seem to stop a nosebleed at this point, the Cowboys could not even beat a previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4) team. Fortunately for them, a win would still keep them squarely in the NFC East race after a disastrous Week 5 for that division.
For the Packers, a 31-7 blowout win over the Chicago Bears (3-2) — albeit against backup QB Tyson Bagent — showed a much different version of this team than we had previously seen this season. If Jordan Love can continue to play at a high level and get some more balance from the run game, it is still far too early to count them out.
Bills stay out west to face Raiders
Coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams (2-3) on Monday night, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (4-1) remain on the west coast to face the Las Vegas Raiders (3-2) on Sunday. While Buffalo could use some more help from its 28th-ranked scoring defense (28.2 PPG), it is clear that the Bills are still dangerous due to Allen’s versatility and toughness.
The Raiders were humbled in a 45-17 loss to the New England Patriots (3-2) and gave up a whopping 536 yards of offense, so a return back to “Sin City” will provide them with another good test to see where they truly are with another difficult opponent coming in.
NFC East is a mess
The Cowboys were not alone in their struggles from Week 5. Even though they were without running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring), wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), tackle Lane Johnson (retirement) and center Cam Jurgens (traded to the Baltimore Ravens), the Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) had the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) defeated until a 53-yard kickoff return from Ameer Abdullah and a 57-yarder from Cam Little punctuated an inexplicable loss.
Not to be outdone, the New York Giants (3-1-1) and Washington Commanders (1-3-1) played to a 27-27 tie after QB Jayden Daniels went down inbounds with no timeouts remaining inside the final 10 seconds and somehow let the clock run out before even being able to attempt a potential game-winning field goal. At this point, it seems like nobody wants to win this division.
Texans land Marvin Harrison Jr.; Rams release Harrison Mevis
The 1-4 Houston Texans (1-4) granted QB C.J. Stroud’s wish when they traded for the former Arizona Cardinals (1-4) wideout on Sunday. The Texans have a lot of work to do if they want to make the playoffs, but the two seemed to bring the best out of each other as teammates at Ohio State. The hope is that they will do the same again and get this team pointed in the right direction.
Rams kicker Harrison Mevis had a performance to forget after missing both of his field-goal attempts on Monday night, one of which was the game-winning try that was blocked in OT. The block was certainly not his fault, but Mevis is only 5-of-9 this season and the Rams ultimately decided to move on from him on Monday and sign Blake Grupe off the New York Jets (2-3) practice squad.
