What To Watch For In The NFL, Week 5

The NFL season is in full swing as we head into Week 5, and we’re beginning to get an early concept of what groups are going to be an element within the numerous divisional races. There’s nonetheless loads of time for groups to proper the ship (or, conversely, crumble), however we will begin focusing in on key video games in every division that determine to loom massive when it comes time to kind out playoff seeding on the finish of the season.

This week options a few these, beginning with a Thursday evening battle within the all the time tight (even when not all the time good) NFC South between the Bucs and the Falcons. That leads our Week 5 preview as we check out the largest video games of the week, final week’s greatest efficiency, and supply up our greatest guess of the week.

Primetime Sport of the Week: Buccaneers at Falcons (Thursday 10/3, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

The opposite two primetime video games this week — Cowboys at Steelers on Sunday, Saints at Chiefs on Monday — are additionally attention-grabbing, however none of them are the kind of high-profile matchup between Tremendous Bowl contenders that make this area straightforward. As such, let’s go together with the divisional matchup on Thursday between arguably the most effective story within the league by way of the primary month of the yr, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, and an NFC South foe that entered the yr with aspirations of profitable the convention, the Falcons.

I’m past fired as much as see how Atlanta offers with Mayfield’s skill to throw the ball down the sphere, significantly to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The chess match between Mayfield and star Falcons security Jesse Bates goes to be a blast, particularly as a result of Atlanta isn’t particularly nice at dashing up or attending to quarterbacks. And on the opposite facet of issues, whereas the Bucs have been fairly good in opposition to the move, groups have carved them up on the bottom — they’re permitting 5 yards per dashing try, the third-worst mark within the league, and should go up in opposition to Bijan Robinson, who was banged up this week however remains to be one of the crucial harmful operating backs in soccer. If he will get going, and Kirk Cousins can use the play motion sport to throw the ball, look out.

You all the time must mood expectations a bit with Thursday Evening Soccer, however this sport does have a enjoyable mixture of stakes within the division, stakes within the convention, and two fairly enjoyable soccer groups. Perhaps this finally ends up being a 17-10 stinker the place Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit clearly want they might simply go residence, however I’d guess in opposition to it.

Sunday Funday Sport of the Week: Payments at Texans (Sunday 10/6, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Stefon Diggs revenge sport needs to be a blast, as a result of even past the plain storyline with Diggs going up in opposition to his previous staff, Buffalo and Houston are two squads with authentic aspirations of profitable the AFC this season. They’re each 3-1, and whereas the Payments have been the longtime No. 1 contender within the convention for the Chiefs’ crown, the Texans have authentic aspirations of taking that perch and, ultimately, overtaking Kansas Metropolis.

Houston may actually use Joe Mixon again from the ankle harm that has price him the final three video games — their dashing assault has simply not been capable of get going with Cam Akers within the backfield. Having stated that, Diggs and Nico Collins are the most effective 1-2 punches at receiver within the NFL, and Buffalo’s entrance sans Von Miller should get after CJ Stroud. If they’ll, Josh Allen has been enjoying properly sufficient to take it to a great Houston protection. If not? Diggs very properly might find yourself getting his revenge.

Underneath the Radar Banger: Jets vs. Vikings (Sunday 10/6, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Community)

Usually I, as an American, am ashamed on the disgusting slop we ship overseas for NFL video games in Europe. This sport needs to be gross, however in a enjoyable and compelling manner, because it’s a pair of elite defenses which have given opposing offenses complications all yr. Oh, and the man who’s in the course of a profession renaissance beneath middle for the Vikings was a former Jet, whereas the sign caller for the Jets spent the primary twenty years of his profession tormenting the Vikings. Ought to be enjoyable!

Who Received The MVP Final Week: Jared Goff

I believe a reasonably good precedent to set is that when you go 18-for-18, throw for a couple of touchdowns, and catch one other one in opposition to a great Seahawks protection, you win this. Jared Goff simply occurred to do all of that, and as such, he will get the Who Received The MVP Final Week for this column. Congratulations to Jared Goff on the distinction.

Finest Wager (2-2): Raiders at Broncos UNDER 36

Look, let’s not overthink this. Broncos video games have are available beneath this quantity in three straight weeks. The Raiders aren’t going to have Davante Adams amid his commerce request. Each of those offenses will want lengthy, sustained drives to place touchdowns on the board and I don’t assume they’ve the services for that. Give me the Underneath.