2025 NFL: Previewing Week 5

The calendar has turned to October, and we’re on to month two of the NFL’s 2025 season.

Week 4 Quick Hits: 

Seahawks 23 Cardinals 20 – Seattle improved to 3-1 on the year, including 2-0 on the road. They got 155 yards rushing in this game, with 6 sacks, and 2 picks. They’re entering October looking like a playoff team.

Steelers 24 Vikings 21 – Minnesota had 15 fourth quarter points, but it wasn’t enough as Pittsburgh got the win the NFL’s first game in Ireland. Aaron Rodgers was 18 of 22 for 200 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. Kenneth Gainwell had 99 yards on 19 attempts, with 2 td’s. DK Metcalf had a big game, with 5 receptions, 126 yards, and a score. The Steelers defense came up with 6 sacks, and 2 picks. Carson Wentz put up 350 yards with 2 TD’s, but had 46 attempts which doesn’t seem ideal. Jordan Addison was back in action, and he and Justin Jefferson combined for 14 receptions, and 240 yards. You’d think with all of the attention those Vikings receivers command, that they could have gotten more out of RB Jordan Mason (16 carries, 57 yards).

Falcons 34 Commanders 27 – Atlanta rebounded from a horrible showing vs. Carolina to get the win here.  Washington fell to 2-2 overall, with Atlanta improving to 2-2. This was a second straight start for Marcus Mariota in-place of an injured Jayden Daniels. The Falcons got big days from Michael Pennix (20 of 26, 313 yards, 2 td’s), and Bijan Robinson (17 carries, 75 yards, 1 td rushing, and 106 yards receiving). Drake London also had 8 grabs for 110 yards and a score.

Bills 31 Saints 19 – This was actually still a game into the 4th before Buffalo pulled away. Three sacks for the Bills defense, and a pick.  James Cook had 117 yards rushing, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.

Lions 34 Browns 10 – Cleveland’s strong defense didn’t allow Detroit’s offense to explode, but this game was over early after a couple of first half Joe Flacco picks.

Patriots 42 Panthers 13 – New England improved to 2-2 on the year. The Patriots certainly aren’t some juggernaut, but they can be a playoff team playing complimentary football. Stefon Diggs had his first 100 yard game as a Patriot. Drake Maye would be helped if the Pats could get some more consistent production from Rhamondre Stevenson, and TreVeyon Henderson. Carolina fell to 1-3, with all three losses coming on the road.

Giants 21 Chargers 18 – The money line upset of the week as New York got their first win of the year in Jaxson Dart’s first career start. We always say the margin between the best and worst in the NFL is not huge on any given week; but it’s still disappointing if you are an LA fan seeing them not being able to get this W.  Dart gave NY some life, with 54 yards rushing (and a score); but he was only 13 of 20 for 111 yards throwing. He was also sacked 5 times (4 coming from Tuli Tuipulotu!). So, LA got Dart to the ground 5 times, and the Chargers Omarion Hampton ran for 128 yards on 12 carries and they still lost.  Justin Herbert was climbing in the early MVP odds before this game. Vs. the Giants, Herbert only had 203 yards on 41 attempts. He was also picked twice. Poor NY couldn’t even really enjoy this win, as 2nd year star WR Malik Nabers tore his ACL.

Eagles 31 Buccaneers 25 – Philadelphia won again, improving to 4-0. The Eagles were up 24-6 at halftime, before the Bucs mounted a rally. It was only that close at the break, because the Bucs Kicker Chase McLaughlin had a 65 yard kick to end the half. Baker Mayfield had two 70 yard td’s closing the gap, but down 8 midway through the 4th, he threw a pick at the Eagles 11 yard line. What exactly is the key to beating the Eagles? Saquon Barkley had just 43 yards rushing. Jalen Hurts threw for just 130 yards. Tampa Bay had two players with over 100 yards receiving. The Bucs did have two turnovers.

Texans 26 Titans 0 – I didn’t think the Titans would win more than 4-5 games this year, but I thought they could be competitive most weeks. Maybe not.  This was win #1 for Houston. This was the Texans’ first shutout in 15 years. Rookie RB Woody Marks had 69 yards and a score on 17 carries. He also had another 50 yards receiving, with another score. Two more sacks for Danielle Hunter.

Rams 27 Colts 20 – Fun game between two good teams. LA won improving to 3-1, with Indianapolis falling to 3-1. Matthew Stafford threw for 375 yards and had 3 TD’s. 170 yards and a score on 13 catches for Puka Nacua. Daniel Jones had 2 picks. Adonai Mitchell’s fumble at the goal line had to make for a long flight back.

Jaguars 26 Niners 21 – Jacksonville improved to 3-1, handing San Francisco their first loss. Parker Washington returned a punt for a TD, and the Jags came up with 4 turnovers. Brock Purdy was strip sacked with about 3 minutes left in his return to action. Travis Etienne ran for 124 yards, including a long of 48.  Christian McCaffrey was held to 49 yards rushing (2.9 per attempt), but did have 92 yards receiving for SF. Devin Lloyd had 2 picks for Jacksonville.

Chiefs 37 Ravens 20 – Baltimore was outscored 37-13 after the Ravens took an initial 7-0 lead. The game wasn’t particularly close, but that had more to do with Baltimore’s injury riddled defense not being able to get stops. The Chiefs offense entered this game looking anemic, but got well against the Ravens. A healthy Xavier Worthy injected some speed into the Chiefs attack.

Bears 25 Raiders 24 – A blocked field goal attempt secured it for Chicago.  Four different Bears had at-least 4 receptions. Bears still need more from D’Andre Swift (14 carries, 38 yards). Chicago didn’t have any sacks, but they did have 5 Tackle’s For Loss, and 3 picks. They also held Geno Smith to just 117 yards.  One positive for the Raiders is that Ashton Jeanty had has best game as a pro, putting up 138 yards on 21 attempts.

Packers 40 Cowboys 40 – It’s a tie that should feel like a loss for Green Bay. Dallas putting up 40 points without CeeDee Lamb has to be disappointing if you are a Packers fan. Dallas has to be encouraged by the production they’re getting from RB Javonte Williams (5 yards per carry on 63 attempts so far this year). George Pickens had 134 yards and 2 scores as option #1 for Dak Prescott. For Green Bay, Jordan Love threw for 337 yards and 3 td’s. Josh Jacobs had a combined 157 yards rushing and receiving – and it still wasn’t enough.

Dolphins 27 Jets 21 – Win number 1 for Miami, and loss number 4 for New York. The biggest story from this game was the gruesome injury suffered by Miami WR Tyreek Hill. In ’22 and ’23, Hill had back-to-back 119 catch, 1,700 yard seasons. Safe to say he’s never reaching those heights again.

Broncos 28 Bengals 3 – Denver got their 2nd win, and Cincinnati is in for a long year without Joe Burrow. Bo Nix had 326 yards with 2 td’s.  JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey combined for 30 carries for 159 yards. The Denver defense had 3 sacks.

Week 5 Quick Hits: 

All percentages via ESPN’s Match-up Predictor. 

Thursday October 2nd

San Francisco at LA Rams – The Rams are given a 70.8% chance of winning, and are an 8.5 point favorite. Both of these teams are tied with Seattle at 3-1 at the top of the NFC West.

Sunday October 5th

Minnesota at Cleveland – Dillon Gabriel is getting his first start for the Browns. Minnesota is given a 63.7% chance of winning, and they’re a 3.5 point favorite.

Vegas at Indianapolis – The Colts with a good opportunity to get back to winning with Vegas coming to town.

New York Giants at New Orleans – 1-3 NY at 0-4 New Orleans for all the marbles. It’s a shame in-general that Nabers got hurt, but the Louisiana native misses the opportunity to play back in his home state. If the Saints can’t win here, it might be Nov. 9th the next time NO has a good chance at their first win.

Dallas at NY Jets – NY has yet to win, and RB Braelon Allen was placed on IR.  The Jets have had three competitive games. Can they break through vs. Dallas? Feel like the Cowboys will be up after their tie vs. the Packers. ESPN is giving Dallas a 58.1% chance of winning.

Denver at Philadelphia – The Eagles are 3.5 point favorites. What’s the path to a Denver win?  Huge defensive effort, plus multiple Broncos turnovers?

Miami at Carolina – Another horrible game. Miami is a slight favorite according to Vegas, with Carolina given 51.3% chance of winning according to ESPN. A game for guys to show out and potentially get traded before the trade deadline.

Houston at Baltimore – The injured list for the Ravens is carrying a lot of names. Currently seems likely that Cooper Rush is going to have to start. This is one of those weeks where it doesn’t matter who is under Center, and who isn’t available; the Ravens still have to find a way to win. Don’t think there will be any surprises here. Derrick Henry is going to get the ball. Houston has a quality defense. We will see if they tire out tackling the big RB. Vegas has Houston as a 2.5 point favorite.

Tennessee at Arizona – At 2-2, the Cards are a game behind all three of their NFC West foes. They are 7.5 point favorites here, in a game they can’t afford to lose.

Tampa Bay at Seattle – Two 3-1 teams in a good NFC game. Seattle is a 3.5 point favorite, and given a 53.6% chance of winning.

Detroit at Cincinnati – Hard to imagine a scenario where the Bengals win here. Detroit is a 10.5 point favorite.

Washington at LA Chargers – Daniels plans to return for this game. Washington is 0-2 on the road. The Chargers will be looking to rebound from their outing vs. the Giants. LA is given a 57.6% chance of winning, and is a 2.5 point favorite.

New England at Buffalo – This isn’t a game that the Bills have to have, but it is a game where the Patriots want to show they’ve closed the gap on their divisional foe. The Bills are 3-0 at home. Buffalo is given a 68.4% chance of winning, and is a 7.5 point favorite.

Monday October 6th

Kanas City at Jacksonville – Interesting game here.  The Chiefs will look to put together a good offensive game for the second straight week. The 3-1 Jags are 2-0 at home, and a win here in primetime against KC would establish them as a pretty solid playoff contender.

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