Week five saw a return, bounce backs, and a few statement wins. Here are my winners and losers.
Winners:
- Arizona Cardinals: Starting for quarterback Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton threw for two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Running back David Johnson rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns. The defense caught two interceptions and had seven sacks as the Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 33-21. We’ll see if this gets the Cardinals on track.
- New England Patriots QB Tom Brady: In his first game back from suspension, Brady threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots defeated the Cleveland Browns 33-13.
- Washington Redskins: Key defensive stops late helped the Redskins defeat the Baltimore Ravens 16-10 in the Battle of the Beltway.
- Atlanta Falcons: The defense had six sacks as the Falcons upset the Denver Broncos 23-16. The Falcons might just be for real, folks.
- Buffalo Bills: Quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for two touchdowns. Running back LeSean McCoy rushed for 150 yards. Cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman caught two interceptions as the Bills pulled away from the Los Angeles Rams 30-19.
- Dallas Cowboys: Running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for a touchdown as the Cowboys defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 28-14.
- Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback Sam Bradford threw for two touchdowns. Cornerback Marcus Sherels had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. The defense had four sacks as the Vikings dominated the Houston Texans 31-13. There are now the only undefeated team left in the NFL.
Losers:
- Philadelphia Eagles: A late interception by quarterback Carson Wentz derailed a potential game-winning drive as Philadelphia gets their first loss of the season to the Detroit Lions 24-23.
- Miami Dolphins: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw two interceptions and was sacked six times in the Dolphins’ loss to the Tennessee Titans 30-17. Could a quarterback change be in order?
- Houston Texans: They were 1 for 12 on third downs and they couldn’t get their offense going in their loss to Minnesota.
- Denver Broncos: Quarterback Paxton Lynch was sacked six times and the offense was only 4 for 16 on third downs in their loss to Atlanta.
- Baltimore Ravens: They were 3 for 15 on third downs and questionable play-calling late doomed the Ravens in their loss to Washington.
- San Diego Chargers: It seems that the Chargers keep finding ways to lose, this time they botched a potential game-tying field goal in their loss to the Oakland Raiders 34-31.
- Carolina Panthers: Starting for quarterback Cam Newton, Derek Anderson’s two interceptions stalled drives in their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-14. The defending NFC champs are now 1-4.
Storylines Going Into Week Six:
Philly goes to Washington in a NFC East battle. Two struggling teams will try to get back on track as Baltimore plays the New York Giants.
Cincy will try to upset New England. In the AFC West, Kansas City plays Oakland. Atlanta stays out west to face Seattle. Dallas and Green Bay face off at Lambeau. In the AFC South, Indianapolis travels to Houston.