NFL action continued in Week 5 with one of the highest scoring weeks we have seen this far, even with several teams on bye. We also saw the NFL London games kick off with the Jets and the Vikings. Several changes were made earlier this week as well with a rookie QB now preparing for his first start in Week 6 and the first head coach firing of the 2024-2025 season. Week 6 begins Thursday night with a NFC West showdown between Seattle and San Francisco.
Top Game from Week 5:
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens and Bengals met in Cincinnati for an NFC North showdown and did not disappoint. After a fourth-quarter comeback and wild overtime period, the Ravens came out on top 41-38 after a Justin Tucker game-winning field goal.
Baltimore won the overtime coin toss and took over at their 30-yard line. After working it down to the Bengals' 39-yard line, Lamar Jackson fumbled the snap and the ball was kicked further back by the offensive line, eventually recovered by the Bengals. After a short return, Joe Burrow and the offense took over at the Ravens 38-yard line.
Cincinnati, only needing a field goal to win, didn’t make it easy on themselves though. After gaining just three yards on three plays, they sent out Evan McPherson for a 53-yard game-winning field goal.
The hold was bobbled at first, but McPherson still had a chance at sending the Bengals home and lifting them to 2-3. That was until his kick sailed wide left of the uprights, reviving the Ravens’ chances of winning.
Jackson and the offense trotted back out, needing any form of points to win. Starting at their own 43-yard line, Jackson tossed the ball to Derrick Henry on his left. Henry got a huge block from fullback Patrick Ricard and then he did the rest.
Outrunning Bengals defenders and shoving one more out of the way, Henry rumbled down to the Cincinnati six-yard line.
John Harbaugh wasted no time, sending Justin Tucker out for a 24-yard field goal from the left hash to win the game. Tucker, practically automatic from that close, powered the kick through and completed a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback for the Ravens to win their third straight game.
The victory boosted the Ravens to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the AFC North, good for first in the division. After losing the first two games of the season to Kansas City and Las Vegas, they seem to have found their rhythm.
They’ll have another test in Week 6 as they welcome rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Commanders to M&T Bank Stadium.
The Bengals continue to struggle out of the gate, falling to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in the division. Their only win so far came against the Panthers.
Cincinnati will hope to get back on track in Week 6 when they travel to take on the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.
Top Performers:
Kirk Cousins QB, Drake London WR and Darnell Mooney WR, Atlanta Falcons
One of two offensive trios listed in the top performers, the Falcons started the Week 5 fireworks on Thursday against Tampa Bay. Kirk Cousins set a new franchise record for passing yards in a game with 509. Over half of those yards went to Drake London and Darnell Mooney. London led the way with 12 receptions–a career-high–for 154 yards–second most in a game in his career–and one touchdown which came in the first quarter. Mooney continued his resurgence now that he’s playing with a competent QB. He brought in nine of his 16 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns, marking his first 100-yard receiving game since 2021.
Tank Bigsby RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bigsby led the way for the Jaguars in the backfield en route to their first win of the season. Stepping in for a banged-up Travis Etienne, Bigsby set a new career high in rushing yards with 101, it was also his first 100-yard rushing game of his career. He also found the end zone twice in a high-scoring matchup with the Colts. All of this on just 13 carries, also a career-high for Bigsby.
Joe Burrow QB, Ja’Marr Chase WR and Tee Higgins WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Another offensive trio in the top performers, the Bengals have been firing on all cylinders offensively, even with their 1-4 record. Since their Week 1 struggle and 10-point performance against the Patriots, they’ve scored 30+ points in three of four games. On Sunday against the Ravens, Tee Higgins exploded, bringing in nine receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns, his best game of the season. Ja’Marr Chase stayed hot as well and now has five receiving touchdowns in the last three games. Chase hauled in 10 receptions for 193 yards to go with his two scores. Joe Burrow threw for 392 yards and five touchdowns in the overtime loss to the Ravens. All but 116 of his passing yards went to Chase or Higgins.
Tyrone Tracy RB, New York Giants
The rookie running back made his first career start against Seattle with Devin Singletary inactive. Tracy made the most of his opportunity, running for 129 yards on 18 carries to help the Giants secure the win and get back on track without bothSingletary and rookie sensation Malik Nabers. It was the first time this season the Giants had a 100-yard rusher in a game.
Lamar Jackson QB, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson continued his stellar play in Baltimore’s comeback victory over Cincinnati on Sunday. Jackson was responsible for all but one of the team’s touchdowns and led a game-tying drive with three minutes remaining. He finished the day with 348 yards passing and four touchdowns while adding 55 yards rushing on 12 carries. Jackson now has 1,206 passing yards on the season and 9 touchdowns with just one interception. As a runner, he’s contributed 363 yards and two touchdowns to lead one of the league’s best offenses and make his case for MVP once again.
Bo Nix QB, Denver Broncos
Nix had the best performance of his rookie season on Sunday against the Raiders. Nix accounted for all offensive touchdowns on the way to a 34-18 victory for Denver, moving them to 3-2 on the season. Nix completed 19 of his 27 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 9 yards and a rushing touchdown to his totals. Nix scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give the Broncos a three-score lead with under nine minutes to play.
T.J. Watt OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt reached the 100-sack milestone Sunday night in the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to the Cowboys. He finished with 1 ½ sacks, eight total tackles and a forced fumble. Watt became the second-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks in NFL history.
Injuries:
Nico Collins WR, Houston Texans
Collins left Houston’s Week 5 victory over Buffalo early in the second quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury on his 67-yard touchdown reception. He did not return to the game. On Monday Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins is week-to-week, saying "It takes a couple of weeks for a hamstring.” On Wednesday morning, Collins was placed on the injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four games.
De’Von Achane RB, Miami Dolphins
Achane suffered a head injury in the first quarter of Miami’s 15-10 win over New England on Sunday and did not return after being diagnosed with a concussion. Fortunately for Achane, the Dolphins are on bye next week, meaning it’s likely he’ll be able to play in Week 7.
Aaron Jones RB, Minnesota Vikings
Jones exited Minnesota’s victory in London in the first half with a hip injury and was ruled out. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jones will have an MRI on Monday to gain a better understanding of the injury and its severity.While the Vikings are on bye in Week 6, Jones is considered week-to-week.
Will Hernandez OG, Arizona Cardinals
Hernandez suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Arizona’s win over San Francisco on Sunday. Although he walked off the field, Hernandez did not return to the game and is expected to miss the remainder of the season according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. This is a huge blow to Arizona’s offensive line, which already lost starting right tackle Jonah Williams in Week 1.
Teven Jenkins OL, Chicago Bears
Jenkins sustained an ankle injury on Sunday against the Panthers during the first half and did not return. Chicago will head to London on Tuesday in preparation for its Week 6 matchup with Jacksonville on Sunday according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Eberflus said that Jenkins will travel with the team and they will assess his availability during the week (Kole Noble, A to Z sports).
Jake Moody K, San Francisco 49ers
Moody left Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain in the second quarter after getting bent awkwardly while trying to make a tackle on a kick return. He did not return to the game, leaving the 49ers without a kicker for the remainder of the contest. Moody will likely miss some time and as a result, the 49ers will bring in a new kicker.
Jevon Holland S, Miami Dolphins
Holland suffered a broken bone in his hand during the team’s win on Sunday. Head coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday that Holland is “week-to-week,” which is the best-case scenario for Holland and the Dolphins.
Talanoa Hufanga S, San Francisco 49ers
Hufanga exited San Francisco’s loss to Arizona in the first half with a wrist injury and did not return to the game. Kyle Shanahan did not have an update on Hufanga’s injury as of Monday.
Dax Hill CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Hill suffered a torn ACL towards the end of the first quarter of the team’s loss to Baltimore on Sunday. The injury was confirmed on Monday by the Bengals and Hill will miss the rest of the season.
Denzel Ward CB, Cleveland Browns
Ward left Sunday’s game against the Commanders with a hamstring injury and did not return to the game. As of Monday, there was no update on Ward’s injury.
Jimmie Ward S, Houston Texans
Ward suffered a groin injury in Houston’s loss to Buffalo on Sunday in the first half and was ruled out. Ward came into Week 5 as questionable due to a groin injury, so aggravating that same injury is not good. Ward will undergo an MRI this week per head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Christian Wilkins DT, Las Vegas Raiders
Wilkins left the Raiders’ division game against Denver in the first half and was later ruled out with a foot injury. Wilkins reportedly underwent X-rays at the stadium. On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport reported that Wilkins had surgery to repair a Jones fracture he suffered during the game. Wilkins is out “indefinitely” and will be placed on injured reserve.
Derek Carr QB, New Orleans Saints
Carr exited Monday night’s loss to Kansas City late in the fourth quarter with an Oblique injury and did not return to the game. On Tuesday it was announced that Carr is expected to miss multiple weeks. Either Jake Haener who stepped in for Carr on Monday night, or rookie Spencer
Rattler will start for the Saints.
Robert Saleh fired by Jets after 2-3 start
Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday after the team’s 2-3 start to the season and Week 5 loss to the Vikings in London. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the team’s interim head coach. Saleh posted a 20-36 record in his tenure with the Jets.
Drake Maye to get first career start in Week 6
It was reported on Tuesday that the Patriots would turn to No. 3 pick Drake Maye at QB and he will make his first career start in Week 6 versus the Texans. The Patriots currently sit at 1-4 and have started Jacoby Brissett for the first five games of the season. Brissett has thrown for 696 yards, two touchdowns and one interception this season.
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