Some close games and a stunner across the pond led the way as the NFL completes the fifth week of its season.
Arizona Cardinals: Zane Gonzalez
Zane Gonzalez gave Kliff Kingsbury his first victory as Arizona coach, nailing a field goal at the end of the game with Cincinnati. Gonzalez hit on 4-of-5 on the day and helped the Cardinals erase the “0” from their win column.
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Atlanta Falcons: None
Atlanta fell to 1-4 and Dan Quinn has to be on the hot seat. This team has not been the same since 28-3 in the Super Bowl. And accolades can not be given to Matt Ryan for continually piling up yardage in losses.
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Tucker
Justin Tucker is the best in the game. And he delivered again for the Ravens, kicking a field goal to force overtime and then hitting the game-winner as Baltimore edged Pittsburgh. Overall, three of Tucker’s four field goals came in the fourth quarter and OT.
Buffalo Bills: Team defense
The elite Buffalo defense continued to show how to dominate as it sacked Marcus Mariota four times and limited the Tennessee Titans to seven points. Another great effort from one of the best defensive units in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey
The elite running back had another fantastic day as the Panthers moved over .500. His only fault was failing to complete the lone pass he threw. Overall, he ran the ball for 176, caught passes for 61 and accounted for a trio of TDs.
Chicago Bears: Danny Trevathan
The Bears had a chance to gain revenge for Oakland trading Khalil Mack. Instead they had a sour taste as they flew home from London. Danny Trevathan did his part with 11 solo tackles in the loss.
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Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Boyd
The Bengals remain winless. Don’t blame Tyler Boyd for Sunday’s defeat against the hapless Cardinals. Boyd was targeted 14 times, caught 10 passes for 123 yards and a score.
Cleveland Browns: Jamie Gillan
It was an ugly night for Freddie Kitchens, Steve Wilks and the Cleveland Browns all around. The lone bright spot was punter Jamie Gillan, who averaged 56.7 yards on seven punts and put the Niners inside the 20 four times.
Dallas Cowboys: Amari Cooper
Dallas took a home loss on Sunday against Green Bay. Amari Cooper was a player who benefited from the non-stop passing while trying to play catch-up. The former Alabama star caught 11 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Denver Broncos: Vic Fangio
Vic Fangio had been close to his first victory as a head coach, yet was 0-4. He has kept the Broncos together and they rewarded their first-year head coach with a victory over the Chargers in Los Angeles. The coach had told his team after tough defeats there were no “pity parties” in the NFL. He can now celebrate having a victory because his team listened.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones went off against the Cowboys. The RB scored four TDs and had 19 carries for 107 yards. You can add in another seven receptions for 75 to cap a spectacular day for Green Bay.
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Houston Texans: Deshaun Watston
Talk about a monster game to shake the doldrums. Deshaun Watston went off against the Falcons. The former Clemson star threw for 426 yards and 5 TDs and ran for another 47 as Houston hung 53 on Atlanta.
Indianapolis Colts: The defense
The Colts came into KC a double-digit underdog and left with a victory. Justin Houston had quite the homecoming, leading the defense in a staunch performance, which saw Patrick Mahomes & Co. limited to 13 points.
Jacksonville Jaguars: D.J. Chark Jr.
Gardner Minshew II and D.J. Chark did all they could to give Jacksonville a chance at Carolina. The QB found the wideout eight times for 164 yards and a pair of scores while throwing for 374 yards without a pick.
Kansas City Chiefs: Byron Pringle
Another WR who is blessed to have Patrick Mahomes as his QB. Byron Pringle caught six passes for 103 yards and a TD as the Chiefs fell to the Colts.
Los Angeles Chargers
Desmond King helped put some hope into the listless Chargers with a 68-yard punt return in the third quarter. The crowd came to life but it didn’t help as the team fell to 2-3, not what was expected coming off a 12-win season.
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Los Angeles Rams: Gerald Everett
Gerald Everett had a big game in a losing cause against Seattle. The Rams’ tight end had seven grabs for 136 yards on 11 targets.
Minnesota Vikings: Adam Thielen
Kirk Cousins apologized to Adam Thielen during the week and the pair apparently had a great reconciliation as the WR caught seven of eight targets for 130 yards and a pair of TDs. Now, if Cousins can only mend the relationship with Stefon Diggs the Purple People will be in high gear.
New England Patriots: The defense
The Patriots were one play from another shutout — Steven Sims Jr.’s 65-yard run — as they continued to play incredible defense. The Pats had six sacks and harassed Colt McCoy while stifling winless Washington.
New Orleans Saints: Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas is a great asset for any quarterback, ask Teddy Bridgewater. In the victory over Tampa Bay, Thomas caught 11 passes for 182 yards and a pair of TDs.
New York Giants: Antoine Bethea
Antoine Bethea had 11 tackles against Minnesota. The Daniel Jones train hit a stop against the Vikings.
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New York Jets: None
Gang Green showed nothing against another team that dresses in green. Adam Gase & Co. simply are outclassed and outmatched. Don’t fault poor Luke Falk, either.
Oakland Raiders: Jon Gruden
The Raiders rushed to a big lead and blew it. Looked like a familiar story as Chicago took the lead. Jon Gruden held his team together, got a break with a running into the kicker penalty. Then, called for a fake punt that worked … after replay ruled no fumble. And the Raiders found the end zone and victory in London.
Philadelphia Eagles: Team defense
The Eagles went double-digits in sacks against poor Luke Falk. Brandon Graham had three of Philly’s 10. They also scored a TD on a Pick-Six and a fumble return to be recently re-signed Orlando Scandrick against the hapless Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Devlin Hodges
“Camp arms” are not expected to play vital roles, let alone see action in division games during the regular season. However, Mason Rudolph was knocked cold by Earl Thomas, making Devlin Hodges’ appearances a necessity. The free agent out of Samford did a solid job as Pittsburgh went to overtime before falling to 1-4.
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa
The 49ers won their 49th Monday Night Football game in stunning fashion, crushing the Cleveland Browns. Nick Bosa led a monstrous defensive charge with a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery as SF advanced to 4-0.
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Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson
Talk about economical and efficient, or is that redundant in some form? Russell Wilson threw 23 passes, completing 17, including four for touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 32 yards. Just another day at the office for the Seahawks’ great QB.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin
Bruce Arians said Chris Godwin could have 100 catches this season. Don’t doubt the veteran coach. The wideout went off against the Saints for 125 yards and a pair of TDs on seven catches in the loss. Strange game for TB as Mike Evans was totally shut down.
Tennessee Titans: Brett Kern
The Titans are taking on water … big time. The lone bright spot in the loss to tough Buffalo was Brett Kern, who averaged nearly 50 yards on six punts.
Washington Redskins: Steven Sims Jr.
Washington was woeful again. One play kept it from being blanked. That was Steven Sims Jr. taking a run 65 yards to the end zone against New England.
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