Week 5 saw the only remaining undefeated teams remain undefeated, some questionable coaching decisions while the roughing the passer rules continued to become more cloudy and even more annoying to fans of the NFL. Oh and did I mention we also witnessed history with a brand new all-time leading passer taking over the throne?
Let’s get started!
Jacksonville 14-30 Kansas City
An early-morning showdown between a powerhouse offence and defence was sure to capture the attention of football fans everywhere. The Chiefs have been the hottest team offensively since Week 1 with Patrick Mahomes breaking touchdown passing records. The Jags and their all-pro defence looked to slow the young quarterback down with a matchup between Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey this one was sure to excite.
The Chiefs struck first on their opening drive. Mahomes took the team on a 10-play drive eating up 73 yards in three minutes. Mahomes finished the drive off with a scramble for a touchdown and the 7-0 lead. Kansas City would add two field goals while both teams went through a bevy of turnovers.
First the Jags would turn the ball over on downs from the Kansas City 4-yard line. Then on the ensuing drive Mahomes would be picked off at midfield by Tashaun Gipson. On the very next play Blake Bortles would be sacked and fumble the ball, giving possession back to the Chiefs, leading to a field goal.
On the Jags next drive Bortles would be picked off by Chris Jones who ran it back 20 yards for the pick-six. Jacksonville then moved the ball down to the 3-yard line before Bortles threw another interception, this time in the end zone to end the half. The Chiefs took a 20-0 lead into the break.
The Jaguars would finally get on the board late in the third quarter with a 6-play, 75-yard drive. Bortles would cap it off with a 14-yard TD pass to TJ Yeldon and the 23-7 score. Kansas City took it right back however with a touchdown drive of their own. After eating up 64-yards on six plays Kareem Hunt would take it in from four yards out for the 30-7 score.
The Jaguars would add another TD late in the game, but it obviously was not anywhere near enough as Kansas City took the 30-14 victory. While this game was much anticipated as a showdown of two heavy weights on each side of the ball is was very one-sided. The Chiefs put up 424 yards of total offence against what was once the league’s best defences and it was turnovers that effectively killed the Jaguars.
With four interceptions thrown and one fumble lost by Blake Bortles it was too much for them to overcome, as Kansas City rolled all over them before the first half ended. Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions of his own, but he had enough support from his defence and surrounding cast on offence to pull out the victory as his team improves to 5-0 on the year.
KC: P.Mahomes: 22/38 313YDs 2NTs K.Hunt: 22CAR 87YDs 1TD T.Kelce: 5CAT 100YDs
JAX: B.Bortles: 33/61 430YDs 1TD 4INTs D.Moncrief: 6CAT 76YDs
**T.Gipson leaves with hamstring injury **J.Houston leaves with hamstring injury
Minnesota 23-21 Philadelphia
The Vikings were supposed to be NFC favourites after acquiring Kirk Cousins this offseason, who was touted as the only piece missing from a championship team. While they’ve shown flashes of what they can do offensively with a win over San Francisco, a tie with Green Bay and a loss to the Rams they’ve also lost 27-6 to the Bills.
The Eagles came into this one with a 2-2 record and needed to find their old championship ways to get back on track.
The Vikings drove down the field on their opening drive with a 12-play drive. They would try and end the drive with a 28-yard Dan Bailey field goal attempt, but he pulled the kick left banking it off the upright leaving Minnesota with no points. After forcing an Eagles punt, Bailey redeemed himself kicking a 37-yarder for the 3-0 lead.
Bizarre and unwarranted roughing the passer penalties reared it’s ugly head again in this game. Michael Bennett would tally a sack on Cousins but would be called for roughing the passer because he tackled the QB by the legs…..the rules clearly need re-tooling.
The Eagles would tie with a Jake Elliott field goal before Dan Bailey missed another attempt of his own. Minnesota then scored the game’s first touchdown, but in an unconventional way. With Carson Wentz being sacked, the ball would pop out as a fumble. The ball would be caught by Linval Joseph who then took it 64 yards for the return TD and 10-3 lead.
The Vikings added to their lead with 21 seconds left in the first half. On an 8-play 44-yard drive Kirk Cousins would find Adam Thielen in the back corner of the end zone for the 17-3 lead. The Eagles came close to getting back into the game early in the third quarter. Driving down to the 5-yard line, but Philadelphia gave the ball away. On a hand-off to Jay Ajayi, he would fumble with it being recovered by Eric Kendricks.
After both teams exchanged field goals the Eagles drove back down the field with a 10-play 66-yard drive. Wentz then hit Wendell Smallwood for a 12-yard TD pass. After the successful 2-point conversion by Smallwood again, the Eagles cut the score down to 20-14.
Despite missing two field goals earlier in the game Dan Bailey came up big for the Vikings late in the fourth quarter. With just under two minutes left the veteran kicker nailed a massive 52-yard attempt pushing the lead out to 23-14.
The Eagles then drove back down the field on a 67-yard drive. After a questionable unnecessary roughness penalty on Andrew Sendejo, Philly was set up on the Minnesota 7-yard line. Wentz then found Zach Ertz in the corner of the end zone for the 7-yard TD and the 23-21 score. On the onside kick attempt, Adam Thielen bobbled the ball, almost losing it to the Eagles. Minnesota would recover, however, ending the game.
In an NFC Championship rematch from last year, Minnesota dominated the first half, but the Eagles fought their way back into the game late. Philadelphia looked lost and sloppy and have seemed to lose their offensive swagger from last year. Although they fought their way back into it they don’t look the same.
The Eagles now sit 2-3 on the year while the Vikings are 2-2-1. Neither team is where they want to be in the standings making this result that much more important for Minnesota. Kirk Cousins had a very efficient game completing 81% of his passes. If he can put together that kind of performance consistently, then he’ll be that piece the Vikings hoped.
MIN: K.Cousins: 30/37 301 1TD A.Thielen: 7CAT 116YDs 1TD S.Diggs: 10CAT 91YDs
PHI: C.Wentz: 24/35 311YDs 2TDs Z.Ertz: 10CAT 110YDs 1TD
**J.Ajayi leaves with torn ACL
LA Rams 33-31 Seattle
The Rams have been rolling all year long, opening their season with a 4-0 record and looking like the most explosive team in the league. Jared Goff has been lighting it up through four weeks and looked especially brilliant in a 38-31 win over Minnesota on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks, on the other hand, are in a retooling stage and were just looking to make it out of this division matchup unscathed, having lost Earl Thomas and Will Dissly for the year in Week 4.
Early in the first quarter, the Rams set themselves up in prime position to score. Blocking a punt inside the Seahawks 10-yard line and taking possession inside the 5. Goff would have his pass tipped up into the air and eventually intercepted by Frank Clark.
On the ensuing drive, Russell Wilson would flip a shovel pass to Nick Vannett who took off for a 32-yard gain. Five plays later Mike Davis took the ball into the end zone on a 6-yard run and the 7-0 lead.
The Rams took the ensuing kickoff to their own 42-yard line and five plays later tied the game. After a 27-yard pass from Goff to Cooper Kupp, a 19-yard pass to Todd Gurley and a 16-yard run by the running back, he then took it two yards for the score and the 7-7 tie.
Tyler Lockett then took the lead back after the Rams added a field goal. Lockett took the kickoff to midfield then Wilson found the speedy receiver for the 39-yard TD and the 14-10 lead. The shootout continued with the Rams taking the ball 70 yards back down the field before Goff found Kupp for the 6-yard TD and 17-14 lead.
The Seahawks would add a 52-yard Sebastian Janikowski field goal for the 17-17 tie at the half.
Seattle took their first drive of the second half and turned it into points. With a 37-yard catch and run play by Mike Davis, the Seahawks found themselves set up in LA territory. Wilson ran some Russell Wilson magic and on a beautiful scramble found David Moore in the back of the end zone for his first career TD and the 24-17 lead. You had to know the high-powered offence of the Rams would answer.
Todd Gurley capped off a 64-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run, his second of the game tying it at 24-24. Seattle then took their next drive and ran seven plays getting into the end zone with a 30-yard TD bomb from Wilson to Moore for his second of the game and the 31-24 lead. But the Rams wouldn’t have any of it.
After Robert Woods took a handoff for 56 yards up the sideline, Shaq Griffin would take a pass interference penalty on a 4th and 2 play. Todd Gurley then took the ball five yards for the score and with a missed PAT the 31-30 Hawks lead. After a Seahawks punt on the following drive, the Rams would take the lead with a 39-yard Cairo Santos field goal at 33-31.
However, you can never really count Seattle out! With 5:10 left Wilson would find Lockett for a 44-yard pass setting them up at the LA 32-yard line. Unfortunately, DJ Fluker would take a holding penalty pushing the team back 10 yards with a 2nd and 23. They would be forced to punt with just over three minutes left.
Todd Gurley came up with the needed first down runs, and a risky 4th and 1 sneak by Goff for the first would seal the deal for the Rams.
The Rams offence continues to look like one of the best in the league putting up 468 yards. Todd Gurley was clearly a dominating force with his 3 TD’s on the day and huge runs when needed, especially late.
However, the defence was shredded by the ‘Hawks with 190 yards picked up on the ground. This Seahawks team is one most people aren’t expecting much from, but they can be a dark horse this year, almost sneaking out with the upset against a dominant team this weekend. The young players on this roster can give Hawks fans something to be excited for.
LA: J.Goff: 23/32 321YDs 1TD 2INTs T.Gurley: 22CAR 77YDs 3TDs R.Woods: 5CAT 92YDs C.Kupp: 6CAT 90YDs 1TD
SEA: R.Wilson: 13/21 198YDs 3TDs C.Carson: 19CAR 116YDs T.Lockett: 3CAT 98YDs 1TD D.Moore: 3CAT 38YDs 2TDs
**C.Kupp and B.Cooks leave with concussions
Dallas 16-19-OT Houston
Sunday Night Football saw a Texas showdown as the Cowboys took on the Texans. Both teams have been disappointing this year, with the Cowboys starting with a 2-2 record and the Texans 1-3. Both teams - who at one point were considered playoff contenders - looked to get their respective season’s back on track with a big win on Sunday night.
The Cowboys took an early 3-0 lead after Geoff Swaim took a short pass from Dak Prescott for a 43-yard gain, setting up the 27-yarder by Brett Maher. After the Texans missed a field goal attempt of their own, Prescott would find Rico Gathers for a 32-yard gain setting up another Maher field goal and the 6-0 lead.
The Texans then took an 8-play drive into the second quarter ending it in a 1-yard TD pass from DeShaun Watson to Keke Coutee for the 7-6 lead. Houston would add a field goal and both teams would turn the ball over once before the end of the first half. Prescott would throw an interception and the Texans would turn the ball over on downs on a 4th and goal from the 1-yard line giving Texans a 10-6 halftime lead.
Dallas then opened the second half with a score to take the lead. After DeAndre Hopkins fumbled the ball, the Cowboys took it 16-yards ending it with a 3-yard TD pass to Allen Hurns and the 13-10 lead. The Houston defence came up with a big interception on Dallas’ next drive, setting up a field goal and the 13-13 tie.
Both defences stood tall the rest of the way, including a goal-line stand by Dallas. The Texans would kick a field goal with 8:31 left in the game for the 16-13 lead. Dallas would add a field goal of their own tying the game with 5:39 left, effectively sending the game into overtime.
Dallas would be inside Houston territory at the 42-yard line. On a 4th and 1, Jason Garrett questionably opted to punt the ball setting up the Texans for the win.
On the following drive, DeAndre Hopkins took a pass from Watson and made what seemed like a never-ending amount of spin moves around several Cowboy defenders for a 49-yard gain. The big play would set up a 36-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal for the 19-16 win.
Both teams’ defences played great keeping the respective offence out of the end zone. Houston put up 462 yards of total offence while the Cowboys only put up 292. Each team turned the ball over multiple times and fought their way through a tightly matched game into overtime. The battle of Texas did disappoint with both teams now sitting at 2-3.
HOU: D.Watson: 33/44 375YDs 1TD 1INT D.Hopkins: 9AT 151YDs A.Blue: 8CAT 73 20CAR 46YDs
DAL: D.Prescott: 18/29 208YDs 1TD 2INTs E.Elliott: 20CAR 54YDs G.Swaim: 3CAT 55YDs
Washington 19-43 New Orleans
Closing out the week with Monday Night Football gave us Washington taking on New Orleans. Washington found themselves leading the NFC East with a 2-1 record after four weeks. Coming off the bye they were hoping to catch the Saints off guard.
Drew Brees and the Saint’s offence has been lighting it up as usual all year, while the future Hall-Of-Famer looked to become the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
The Saints would get on the board first taking their first drive of the game 59 yards on 6 plays with Brees hitting Michael Thomas for a 20-yard gain. Three plays later Mark Ingram would take the ball into the end zone from two yards out in his first game back from suspension. The PAT was missed for the 6-0 lead.
Washington would cut that lead down to just three after marching down the field on a 6-play driving eating up 40 yards in two minutes. They would cap the drive off with a 53-yard Dustin Hopkins field goal and the 6-3 lead.
On the next drive, Drew Brees took one step closer to greatness. On a 13-play drive that ate up 58 yards, Brees would find Josh Hill for the 1-yard TD and the 13-6 lead. With that 1-yard pass, Brees moved passed Brett Favre for second all-time in passing yards behind Peyton Manning.
New Orleans then drove down the field on their following driving going 85 yards in just under five minutes. The drive resulted in another Ingram TD and the 20-6 lead.
History would be made on the following drive. It only took one play as Brees hit Tre’Quan Smith for a 62-yard bomb and the TD and the 26-6 lead. With that throw, Brees moved passed Peyton Manning for number one on the all-time passing list.
After the historic drive, Washington tried to get back into the game off a Saint fumble set them up at the New Orleans 16-yard line. Three plays later Alex Smith ran it four yards for the touchdown trimming the Saints lead down to 26-13.
The second half was all New Orleans however. First Brees hit Tre’Quan Smith again, this time on the opening drive for a 35-yard TD strike pushing the lead to 33-13. Washington then turned the ball over on their next drive with Smith throwing an interception to Justin Hardee. Two plays later Taysom Hill ran the ball into the end zone for the 1-yard TD and 40-13 lead.
The Saints would add a field goal and Washington a TD with this one-sided affair ending in a 43-19 Saints victory. It was all New Orleans and all Drew Brees essentially from the opening kickoff. Washington never had a chance since the second quarter when the NFL’s all-time leading passer took over and dominated all night.
New Orleans improves to 4-1 on the year while Washington still sits at the top of the NFC East with a 2-2 record. Not only did Brees become the all-time leading passer he also only missed on three of his passing attempts and is now one touchdown short of 500 in his career.
NO: D.Brees: 26/29 363YDs 3TDs M.Ingram: 16CAR 53YDs 2TDs T.Smith: 3CAT 111YDs 2TDs
WSH: A.Smith: 23/39 275YDs 1INT J.Crowder: 4CAT 55YDs
Scores
Indianapolis 24-38 New England
T.Brady: 34/44 341YDs 3TDs 2INTs S.Michel: 18CAR 98YDs 1TD J.White: 10CAT 77YDs 1TD/A.Luck: 38/59 365YDs 3TDs 2INTs E.Ebron: 9CAT 105YDs 2TDs
**T.Brady becomes 3rd QB in NFL history to throw 500 TD’s.
Tennessee 12-13 Buffalo
J.Allen: 10/19 82YDs 1INT L.McCoy: 24CAR 85YDs/M.Mariota: 14/26 129YDs 1INT D.Henry: 11CAR 56YDs
NY Giants 31-33 Carolina
C.Newton: 21/35 237YDs 2TD 2INT C.McCaffrey: 17CAR 58YDs/E.Manning: 22/36 326YDs 2TDs 2INTs O.Beckham: 8CAT 131YDs 1TD
Miami 17-27 Cincinnati
D.Dalton: 20/30 248YDs 1TD 1INT J.Mixon: 22CAR 93YDs A.Green: 6CAT 112YDs/R.Tannehill: 20/35 185YDs 1TD 2INTs K.Drake: 7CAT 69YDs 1TD
Baltimore 9-12-OT Cleveland
B.Mayfield: 25/43 342YDs 1TD 1INT D.Njoku: 6CAY 69YDs J.Landry: 5CAT 69YDs/J.Flacco: 29/56 298YDs 1INT M.Crabtree: 6CAT 66YDs
Green Bay 23-31 Detroit
M.Stafford: 14/26 183YDs 2TDs K.Johnson: 12CAR 70YDs K.Golladay: 4CAT 98YDs 1TD/A.Rodgers: 32/52 442YDs 3TDs D.Adams: 9CAT 140YDs 1TD E.St.Brown: 3CAT 89YDs
Denver 16-34 NY Jets
S.Darnold: 10/22 198YDs 3TDs 1INT I.Crowell: 15CAR 219YDs 1TD B.Powell: 20CAR 99YDs R.Anderson: 3CAR 123YDs 2TDs/C.Keenum: 35/51 377YDs 2TDs 1INT D.Thomas: 5CAT 105YDs 1TD
**A.Jones leaves with leg injury **B.Skrine leaves with head injury
Atlanta 17-41 Pittsburgh
B.Roethlisberger: 19/29 250YDs 3TDs 1INT J.Conner: 21CAR 110YDs 2TDs 4CAT 75YDs A.Brown: 6CAT 101YDs 2TDs/M.Ryan: 26/38 285YDs 1TD M.Sanu: 4CAT 73YDs 1TD
Oakland 10-26 LA Chargers
P.Rivers: 22/27 339YDs 2TDs K.Allen: 8CAT 90YDs/D.Carr: 24/33 268YDs 1TD 1INT M.Bryant: 3CAT 91YDs
Arizona 28-18 San Francisco
J.Rosen: 10/25 170YDs 1TD C.Kirk: 3CAT 85YDs 1TD/C.Beathard: 34/54 349YDs 2TDs 2INTs G.Kittle: 5CAT 83YDs
BYE: Chicago, Tampa Bay
Standings
AFC West
1.Chiefs (5-0) 2.Chargers (3-2) 3.Broncos (2-3) 4.Raiders (1-4)
AFC East
1.Patriots (3-2) 2. Dolphins (3-2) 3. Bills (2-3) 4.Jets (2-3)
AFC South
1. Titans (3-2) 2.Jaguars (3-2) 3.Texans (2-3) 4.Colts (1-4)
AFC North
1.Bengals (4-1) 2.Ravens (3-2) 3.Browns (2-2-1) 4.Steelers (2-2-1)
NFC West
1.Rams (5-0) 2.Seahawks (2-3) 3.Cardinals (1-4) 4.49ers (1-4)
NFC East
1.Washington (2-2) 2.Cowboys (2-3) 3.Eagles (2-3) 4.Giants (1-4)
NFC South
1.Saints (4-1) 2.Panthers (3-1) 3.Buccaners (2-2) 4.Falcons (1-4)
NFC North
1.Bears (3-1) 2.Packers (2-2-1) 3.Vikings (2-2-1) 4.Lions (2-3)
