NFL Week 5: Brief Recap and Analysis
October 13, 2017
Jaguars shock, Patriots squeak one out, and Jets win again, no this is not the twilight zone, it’s the NFL. After a less than exciting first 2 weeks of football, things have picked up over the past three Sundays, with exciting matchups and upsets. So lets run through ‘em all again to get you ready for Week 6.
Patriots: 19 @ Buccaneers: 14
Tampa Bay held strong against the New England Patriots during this prime time match up, their defense was just not enough to stop a raging Tom Brady. The Patriots defense looked more competent then it did last week, and because of that they are now in a three way tie with the Bills and the Jets for the AFC East…what a time to be alive. Tailgate Game Takeaway: No body…no body would have predicted the AFC East standings coming into week 5 at the begining of the season, and some of us get paid to do this for a living.
49ers: 23 @ Colts: 26
It’s a good thing that Adam Vinatieri can still be relied on to send the ball through the uprights. At 44 this national treasure went 4/4 with his longest being 52 yards on the day, winning the Colts the game. The 49ers meanwhile can’t seem to get a run game going with only 66 yards recorded, and while Hoyer had a good day with 336 yards, he can’t carry this team. Tailgate Game Takeaway: The 2 QB’s combined for a total 624 passing yard during this game. Hoyer and Brissett elite? No, the 49ers and Colts defenses are just #BadAtFootball
Bills: 16 @ Bengals: 20
The Bills beat the Broncos and the Cowboys and the Bengals beat the Bills, so by logic the Bengals are better than the Broncos and Cowboys (If only football worked like that, my life would be much simpler). Andy Dalton had another great day however, with back to back games above 300 yards throwing. Tailgate Game Takeaway: THE RED RIFLE IS BACK BABY!
Jets: 17 @ Browns: 14
Cleveland, you blew it again… YOU BLEW IT! I know you had Chris Hogan in at QB but that’s no excuse, you let the best chance of getting a win slip right through your fingers. Myles Garret even showed up and recorded 2 sacks on the miserable Jets O-line and you still could not beat a team trying its best to tank! Cleveland…CLEVELAND WHY! Tailgate Game Takeaway: Dear Jets fans, Erik said it best.
Panthers: 27 @ Lions: 24
With the way the season is playing out I would not be surprised if we got a little playoff preview here with this Week 5 matchup. This was arguably the best game of the week, with both QB’s playing their minds out. However, after two weeks of great football it looks like Cam is back to being the old Cam and the Lions defense just could not keep pace the whole way. Tailgate Game Takeaway: I think it’s funny…to see Cam Newton play good football…it’s just funny.
Titans: 10 @ Dolphins: 16
Without Marcus Mariota the Tennessee offense struggled. They need their star back if they hope to be the offensive powerhouse we hoped they were at the beginning of the season.
The ‘Phins actually recorded less yards overall than the Titans in their victory and won the game on the leg of there kicker. Its obvious the British wonder, Ajayi, can’t be a team carrying power house when Jay Cutler won’t ever throw for over 100 yards to help him out. These two teams have star power on both sides of the ball, just not the surrounding talent to make it shine. Tailgate Game Takeaway: All the DeMarco Murray fantasy owners just caused a shortage of tissues on the planet so they could dry their tears.
Chargers: 27 @ Giants: 22
Through Week 5 there may not be two more disappointing teams than the New York Football Giants and the *cough cough* “LA” Chargers. At the start of the season, the Chargers offense and Giants defense seemed to be the highlight of the two teams, and the former of those seemed to actually show up, with Rivers throwing for three touchdowns and 258 yards and Gordon running for 105. The Giants meanwhile seem to continues to struggle, with the Chargers forcing 2 fumbles on Eli Manning and absolutely manhandling New York’s O-line. Tailgate Game Takeaway: The Sunday night New York at Denver game is being toted as the largest one sided match up of Week 6. With the way the Chargers dominated New York at the line, it’s not crazy to imagine why it will be so one sided when Denver has the likes of Von Miller, Derek Wolf, and Domata Peko.
Jaguars: 30 @ Steelers: 9
What?
Tailgate Game Takeaway: What?
Cardinals: 7 @ Eagles: 34
I’m so about it. All aboard the Wentz Wagon. Said it last week and I’ll say it again, this Eagles team is the most fun to watch out of any team in the League. I also have Wentz on one of my fantasy teams, so if he keeps throwing 300+ games with 4 touchdowns, it’s fine by me. Tailgate Game Takeaway: Cardinals fans are telling themselves AP is the final piece of the puzzle, my thought? No.
Seahawks: 16 @ Rams: 10
LA fans, this was a tough loss, but don’t lose hope (unless you are a Chargers fan)! the Rams are a young team, but a talented one at that, with Goff threw for 288 yards. The Seahawks defense just had the experience to keep the offense out of the Red Zone. Tailgate Game Takeaway: It’s not crazy to think we could see this match up again down the line.
Ravens: 30 @ Oakland: 17
The race in the AFC North is staying pretty close, and the Ravens took care of business in Oakland to stay a part of it. However in the West, the Broncos and the Chiefs continue to excel as two of the best teams in the National Football League, and even with Carr out this is still the type of home game the Raiders should have won and can’t afford to lose. Tailgate Game Takeaway: Who would have predicated Charles’s comeback in Denver to be more successful then Marshawn’s in Oakland at the beginning of the season?
Packers: 35 @ Cowboys: 31
Now under .500, Cowboys fans are starting to panic. Granted none of their last three games, which were against Denver, Houston, and Green Bay, were easy, but if they hope to catch up to the Eagles, or even make a Wild Card spot, they are gonna have to perform better on both sides of the ball. The loss of Elliot to suspension does not bode well for their chances of making this happen either. The Packers meanwhile rely on Aaron Rodgers to keep them on top in the North, and with the Lions loss to the Panthers, it extends their lead even further.
Chiefs: 42 @ Texans: 34
Almost leading his team to a 4th Quarter comeback against the leagues top team, Deshaun Watson is looking more and more like the real deal. This game had no business being this close, and it’s only because of him it was. If just a few more things would have broken his way, just like in New England, he could have won this game. Meanwhile on the other side of this ball, it just seems no one has an answer to the Hunt and Smith combo. The devastating offensive duo just have not found an opponent capable of putting an end to their reign of yards. Tailgate Game Takeaway: If the Houston defense can’t stop this team, then the Denver Broncos seem to be the only force the could remotely cause a challenge, building hype to their Monday night match up on the 30th.
Vikings: 20 @ Bears: 17
Trubisky’s first NFL start showed flashes of brilliance held back by a poor team. At 128 yards with 1 touchdown, his stats don’t look like Watson’s numbers, but he has play making ability, throwing the ball deep and accurate a few times while also making plays with his legs and rushing for 22 yards. Tailgate Game Takeaway: The Vikings meanwhile keep themselves in the playoff race going to 3-2 showing that Keenum can be a competent backup until Bradford’s return.
Written by Connor Hoehn, @UndraftedPunter
