The Giants surprisingly remain winless, and the other New York team gets a surprise win in the Georgia Dome on Monday night! Let's recap Week 5!
Buffalo Bills 24 Cleveland Browns 37
Both starters were injured in this game and will miss a significant amount of time. For the Bills, they're the team with the longest playoff drought, so they must be feeling snake-bitten with the injury to E.J. Manuel. At least it will not be a season-ending injury, unlike Brian Hoyer. Just when the Browns thought they found a quarterback who can win games for them, Hoyer tears his ACL and is out for the season. The day before, the Indians lost in the AL Wild Card game. Just the luck for Cleveland fans.
New Orleans Saints 26 Chicago Bears 18
Drew Brees had never won in Soldier Field coming into this game, so it was good to get that one out of the way. However, the Saints are playing well offensively, but that was expected. Last season, though, they were atrocious on defense, as it was clear defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was never on the same page with his players. Insert new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and this defense is playing all out for him.
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| Patriots and Bengals play through the downpour in the fourth quarter. |
We thought the Patriots had overcome their offensive woes with their win against the Falcons last week. After seeing this game, coupled with the Falcons performance against the Jets, we know the Patriots still have issues offensively. Tom Brady's streak of 52 consecutive games with a touchdown pass came to an end, as the Patriots didn't score a touchdown at all. The Bengals are 3-2, with three impressive home wins, and two lousy road losses. This team is still unpredictable.
Detroit Lions 9 Green Bay Packers 22
The way the Lions have played so far, it wasn't surprising to see the Packers struggle to distance themselves in this one. However, once word got out that Calvin Johnson wouldn't play, it was easy to figure out the Lions wouldn't be winning this game. However, they only gave up one touchdown so they should be impressed with their improving defense.
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| Colts' T.Y. Hilton apparently was motivated from the trash talking from the Seahawks' Brandon Browner. |
The Colts have beaten the 49ers and Seahawks, the class of the NFC West and the favorites in the NFC. The Colts could be 5-0 right now if it weren't for a loss to the Dolphins at home. The Seahawks had to come back down big against the Texans to win, and now loses to the Colts on the road. The Seahawks must either try to get home field advantage in the playoffs so they don't have to worry about playing on the road or they should take care of issues on the road.
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| Ravens' Ray Rice scores two touchdowns in the win. |
I was a little shocked the Dolphins couldn't beat the Ravens at home. Watching what the Bills did to the Ravens last week, I thought the Ravens would be seeing a tougher defense in Miami. Ray Rice scored two touchdowns, so that's a good sign for their offense because he hasn't really gotten off yet. An interesting game awaits the Ravens next week as they face the Packers at home. For the Dolphins, they let an opportunity to go 4-1 slip through the cracks.
Philadelphia Eagles 36 New York Giants 21
When things aren't going right, the blame is placed on the quarterback. Eli Manning has thrown a league-high 12 interceptions through five games, an astonishing number. However, as crazy as it may sound, Manning is playing the best ball out of anyone on that offense. Protection issues and a predictable offense has put Manning in spots where he's forced to make a play. Drops from wide receivers have also been noticeable. This 0-5 start is squarely on the offense, as the defense have been put in poor field position many times after turnovers. The Giants can turn it around, but turning it around means 7-9 or 8-8, definitely not enough for a playoff berth even in the "NFC Least."
Jacksonville Jaguars 20 St. Louis Rams 34
This game had boring written all over it, but at least the Jaguars scored 20 points. That's encouraging. At least the Rams' offense looked explosive. That's encouraging for them too. For the Jaguars, they lost Luke Joeckel with a broken ankle. He was only the second overall pick in this year's draft.
Kansas City Chiefs 26 Tennessee Titans 17
This game was an easy pick considering Ryan Fitzpatrick got the start instead of Jake Locker, who's injured and will miss several weeks. The next couple of games stack up nicely for the Chiefs, so they're well on their way to a very good season. Many people still believe the Broncos will win the division and the AFC. However, don't sleep on the Chiefs.
Carolina Panthers 6 Arizona Cardinals 22
Steve Smith criticized the referees, but he can't blame anyone for his drop that would've scored a touchdown had he caught the ball. It's also an excuse for the continued poor play of Cam Newton since he's been drafted. NBC analyst Rodney Harrison even went as far as to say Newton should be benched. I probably wouldn't go that far since the Panthers probably have no better option. It's clear, though, that Newton has been given way too much of a pass. He has to get this offense going or the Panthers will continue to be perennial losers.
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| Broncos' Peyton Manning scores his first rushing touchdown since 2008. |
Easily the best game of the season, but it's unfortunate how Tony Romo is being blamed for this loss. The defense gave up 51 points, yet Romo is to blame. Romo has gotten to a point now where if he makes just one mistake in the fourth quarter, he blows it for everyone else. Unfair but that's life for him.
Houston Texans 3 San Francisco 49ers 34
Matt Schaub has thrown a pick six in his fourth consecutive game, so he's on thin ice with Gary Kubiak. People have said Schaub should still be the starter because there are no other options, but I'm not quite sure about that. I believe it's a little too quick to pull the trigger and give up on him, but T.J. Yates played well when Schaub went out with injury back in the 2011 season. Yates is definitely just as good as Schaub and can easily take over and play well.
San Diego Chargers 17 Oakland Raiders 27
There is a reason why Raiders' fans booed Matt Flynn, and then the team proceeded to get rid of him. Terrelle Pryor came back and the offense looked good again, so Raiders' fans are excited at the possibility he's only going to get better and hopefully turn around the team's fortunes. That body slam of Sio Moore from D.J. Fluker was the highlight of this game.
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| Jets' Geno Smith turns in an efficient and turnover-free game in the win. |
This game revealed a couple of things to the national audience. When the Patriots lit up the Falcons' defense last week, I thought the Patriots had finally found their rhythm. However, after watching this game, I now believe the Falcons' defense simply suck. Even worse, bad coaching decisions continue to hurt them, and has contributed to a 1-4 record. The way the Saints are going now, there's no way the Falcons catch them. For Geno Smith, his poise in the loud and roudy atmosphere is something the Jets have been wanting from Mark Sanchez. Smith will struggle at times as he's only a rookie, but Jets' fans should be very encouraged with the future having Smith.
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