12 of the 14 games from Week 5 were played on Sunday. We also had the first London game of the season.
NFL Round Up Week 5
Cincinnati Bengals 38:41 Baltimore Ravens
Okay, Cincinnati Bengals we need to talk. I’m not saying you’re the worst team in the NFL, because you’re far from that. But I say you are the dumbest team in the NFL. It’s unbelievable how often this team loses games it shouldn’t have to. Against the Ravens, they deservedly led quite clearly for a long time. Then you have the butter taken from your bread and have to go into overtime. But the Ravens are nice and so Lamar Jackson commits a fumble. So all Cincinnati has to do now is shoot a FG. And what happens? They forgive it. Two plays later, the Ravens won the game. Joe Burrow had a really good game going 30 of 39 for 392 yards for five touchdowns and one interception. Ja’Marr Chase caught ten balls for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins caught 9 balls for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Sam Hubbard had a new tackle.
The Ravens somehow escape with the win. Lamar Jackson had a really good game going 26 of 42 for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Derrick Henry had 15 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. Zay Flowers caught seven balls for 111 yards and Roquan Smith had 15 tackles.
The Bengals now play at the Giants. The Ravens host Washington.
Minnesota Vikings 23:17 New York Jets
From the Vikings’ perspective, this game was actually a carbon copy of last week’s game against Green Bay. A really strong first half was followed by a really weak second half. In the end it was just enough for the win. A problem with Minnesota was the many penalties; the Vikings incurred 11 penalties that cost a total of 80 yards. Sam Darnold played poorly this time, going 14 of 31 for 179 yards and one interception. Justin Jefferson caught six balls for 92 yards. Andrew van Ginkel was able to return an interception for a touchdown.
The first half for the Jets was catastrophically bad, but the second half was much better. Overall, as against Denver, little went right. Aaron Rodgers was 29 of 54 for 244 yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions. Garrett Wilson caught the ball 13 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. The running game was almost non-existent, a paltry 36 yards.
Minnesota, still perfect, has next week off. The Jets are already under a little pressure in their clash against Buffalo in their own division.
Jacksonville Jaguars 37:34 Indianapolis Colts
Finally the first win for the Jaguars. In a turbulent game against Indianapolis, the victory was ultimately okay. Trevor Lawrence was much improved, going 28 of 34 for 371 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Tank Bigsby had a strong game with 13 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Thomas caught five balls for 122 yards and a touchdown. Travon Walker impressed defensively with three sacks and a forced fumble.
Indianapolis didn’t play badly, but it was too vulnerable defensively. However, it was by no means Joe Flacco’s fault. He had an outstanding game going 33 of 44 for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Alec Pierce was also impressive, catching three balls for 134 yards and a touchdown. EJ Speed had seven tackles.
Jacksonville now plays Chicago in London. Indianapolis has to go to Tennessee.
Chicago Bears 36:10 Carolina Panthers
Chicago is slowly but surely getting better and better into the season. There was a more than convincing win against Carolina. They were superior to the Panthers in every respect. And also very important: Caleb Williams seems to have arrived in the NFL. 20:29 for 304 yards, two touchdowns. DJ Moore caught five balls for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Kevin Byard impressed with 6 tackles and an interception.
Carolina had a disastrous performance. The defense in particular was really bad and allowed 424 yards. But also not enough offensively with just 14 first downs. Four sacks were allowed again.
Andy Dalton was 18 of 28 for 136 yards and one interception. Then even Bryce Young was brought back into the team, he was 4 of 7 for 58 yards. Chuba Hubbard caught 13 balls for 97 yards and a touchdown. There was a bright spot: rookie LB Trevin Wallace impressed with 15 tackles. Chicago now flies to London to face Jacksonville. Carolina hosts Atlanta.
New England Patriots 10:15 Miami Dolphins
A pretty terrible football game that was exactly what you would expect offensively. New England had a very solid running game this time, but it ruined a lot of things because it couldn’t use the only strength it had in recent weeks this time. Namely, getting few penalties, that didn’t work at all this time – there were 12 penalties for 105 yards. Jacoby Brissett was 18 of 34 for 160 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson had 12 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. Dell Pettus had 9 tackles.
Miami also had a decent running game with 193 yards, but they were really weak on third down attempts. The score here was 2/11. Tyler Huntley also failed to impress, going 18 of 31 for 194 yards and one interception. There is also an injury to De’Von Achane. He probably suffered a concussion. Marcus Maye had nine tackles. New England next plays at home against Houston and Miami has next week off.
Washington Commanders 34:13 Cleveland Browns
The following sentence is somehow difficult to say, but I think it has to be said. The Washington Commanders currently play the most beautiful and attractive football in the NFL. They managed 434 yards against Cleveland. Almost every second third attempt could be made into a new first attempt. Jaden Daniels wasn’t quite as big of a factor this time, going 14 of 25 for 238 yards for a touchdown and an interception. Terry McLaurin caught four balls for 112 yards. Frankie Luvu had seven tackles and 2.5 sacks.
There is just frustration in Cleveland. Practically nothing works offensively and even the defense, which was so strong last year, is wobbling worryingly. There were just 108 yards through the air against Washington and only one of 13 third attempts became a new first attempt. Sorry but that’s not NFL appropriate. And then you ruin a lot of things because you get nine penalties. Deshaun Watson was 15 of 28 for 125 yards and a touchdown. Amari Cooper caught four balls for 60 yards. Devin Bush had ten tackles.
The Capitals are next in Baltimore and Cleveland has to go to Philadelphia.
