Although there were far fewer lopsided results in Week 5, there was only the second shutout of the season. The AFC got the best of the NFC in four of the six head-to-head meetings between their teams. As usual, it was a down-to-the-wire affair between the Ravens and Steelers.
Once again, there has been a few changes near the top of the NFL Power Rankings. Three of the top seven clubs from a week ago took it on the chin on Sunday. However, the team that has owned the number-one spot from the start continues its impressive season.
Frank Reich was still looking for his head coaching victory with the Panthers as the team battled the explosive Lions in the Motor City. A season ago, Carolina embarrassed Detroit with a devastating running game that rolled up 320 yards. On Sunday afternoon, Reich's team was limited to 99 yards rushing and committed three turnovers.
The Panthers would find themselves down 28-7 and would make the final score somewhat respectable. Bryce Young threw for three scores and was picked off twice. Carolina gave up 159 yards on the ground.
It was an afternoon that saw the team not only fail to score a touchdown for the second straight week, there were no points at all for Bill Belichick's club. The Patriots ran 51 plays and gained 156 total yards. Quarterback Mac Jones committed all three of the team's turnovers, the first of his two picks returned for a score in the first quarter.
Since defeating the New York Jets in Week 3 for their only victory of the season, the struggling Patriots have lost two straight games to the Dallas Cowboys (38-3) and Saints (34-0) by a combined 72-3 score. Incredible.
Sean Payton's team comes off its first victory of 2023. The Broncos were back at home and took on the Jets and former Denver head coach Nathaniel Hackett, New York's offensive coordinator. The story for the Broncos remained the same. Sloppy offensive play (3 turnovers) and a defensive unit that is ranked dead last in the league.
The Broncos were pounded for 234 yards on the ground and 407 total yards. Payton's team trailed 24-21 late in the game but quarterback Russell Wilson was sacked and his fumble was returned 39 yards for a touchdown.
Brian Daboll's squad was coming off a short week and in Miami for a clash with the explosive Dolphins. For the third time this season, the team's offense failed to come up with a TD. Quarterbacks Daniel Jones (6) and Tyrod Taylor (1) were sacked a combined seven times. Meanwhile, the defense allowed a combined 524 total yards.
Also, the Giants' offensive unit still hasn't scored a first-half touchdown in five games this season. New York's lone trip to the end zone on Sunday came courtesy of a 102-yard interception return by safety Jason Pinnock.
The last time Matt Eberflus' team won a game was on a Monday night at Foxborough in Week 7 of 2022. The Bears had reeled off 14 straight losses as they headed into Washington for a Thursday night affair with the Commanders.
Chicago owned a 10-0 lead and outgained Washington, 199-12, after one quarter. That advantage swelled to 27-3 at intermission. The Bears' offense finished the evening with 451 total yards. Justin Fields threw for 282 yards and four scores, with wideout D.J. Moore finishing with eight catches for 230 yards and three TDs in the win.
It was another frustrating afternoon for the defending NFC North champions, who have now lost as many regular-season games as they did in 2022. The latest was against the defending Super Bowl champions, who played turnover-free football while Kevin O'Connell's team raised its giveaway total this season to an even dozen.
Things only got worse for the Purple Gang. On Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that wide receiver Justin Jefferson is headed to injured reserve. The Vikings are already three games behind the first-place Detroit Lions.
Josh McDaniels' club was looking to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosted the Packers on Monday night. Four games into 2023 and the Raiders had yet to score at least 20 points in any contest. Unfortunately, that streak could continue in front of the home folks. However, it didn't stop the club from coming up with a victory.
Jimmy Garoppolo overcame three sacks and another interception (his seventh in 2023). He threw for 208 yards and a score to Jakobi Meyers, while 2022 NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs ran for a season-high 69 yards (1 TD).
Despite a sub-.500 record, Jonathan Gannon's club has played very respectable football. The Cardinals were back home and faced the struggling Bengals on Sunday. Down 10-0 after one quarter of play, Josh Dobbs connected for scores with "Hollywood" Brown and Zach Ertz for scores and Arizona owned a four-point lead.
However, the Arizona defense had no answers for Ja'Marr Chase. Despite sacking Joe Burrow three times and picking him off once, Cincinnati's star wideout burned the Cards for 15 catches, good for 192 yards and three TDs.
The struggling Bengals made their way to the desert to take on the improving Cardinals. It would prove to be a big afternoon for the passing combination of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. Cincinnati's offense would roll up a season-high 380 total yards. The Bengals' defense came up with three takeaways, including a pick-six.
Burrow hit on 36-of-46 throws for 317 yards and three touchdowns (1 interception). All of those scores went to Chase, who was targeted 19 times and hauled in 15 passes for 192 yards. Joe Mixon added 81 yards rushing
The Titans alternated losses and wins the first four weeks and were hoping to finally get above the .500 mark this season when they traveled to Indianapolis. Mike Vrabel's inconsistent club took a five-game winning streak over the Colts into Sunday's game. The Titans had also won four straight road games in this series dating back to 2019.
Tennessee's defense didn't have many answers for the Colts' ground attack, giving up 193 yards. On the other hand, Derrick Henry only ran for 43 yards. De'Andre Hopkins caught eight passes for 140 yards in a losing effort.
Ron Rivera's team opened the season 2-0 but were coming off consecutive losses to the Bills and Eagles as the Commanders hosted the struggling Bears on Thursday night. Jack Del Rio's defense gave up a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive less than three minutes into the game and it was downhill for the rest of the evening.
Washington's defense gave up 178 yards rushing and 451 total yards. In their last four games, the Commanders have allowed a whopping 144 points — 33-plus in each contest. Sam Howell was sacked five times.
An overtime win over the Bills in Week 1 was followed by three straight losses and the Jets scored a combined 40 points in setbacks to the Cowboys, Patriots and Chiefs. However, Robert Saleh's club took advantage of a horrible Broncos defense on Sunday and rolled to a 10-point win. The Jets finished the afternoon with 407 total yards.
It was all about the Halls on Sunday in the Mile High City. Running back Breece Hall ran for 177 yards and the team's only offensive TD. Bryce Hall returned a Russell Wilson fumble for a score with just 29 seconds to play.
The Steelers and Ravens renewed their bitter rivalry in Pittsburgh and it was another close contest that went down to the wire. Things were once again ugly when it came to the Steelers offense, which failed to score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Mike Tomlin's team gained 88 total yards in the first half but 201 yards after intermission.
Down 10-3 in the fourth quarter, Miles Killebrew blocked a punt that resulted in a safety. The team came up with two takeaways. Kenny Pickett and George Pickens teamed for a 41-yard TD with 1:17 to take the lead for good.
After evening their record last Sunday with an overtime win at Indianapolis, the Rams were back home and took on the defending NFC champion Eagles. Sean McVay's club also welcomed back wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who, in his first action of the season, was targeted a dozen times and finished with eight receptions for 118 yards.
Los Angeles' defense was pushed around for 454 total yards. Still, the Rams owned a 14-10 second-quarter lead but were held scoreless the rest of the day. McVay's club was limited to just 54 yards rushing on 14 attempts.
Matt LaFleur's team was overwhelmed at home on a Thursday night by the rival Lions. The Packers were back in prime time and in Sin City to take on the Raiders. In an oddity of sorts, Green Bay had won each of the last eight meetings between these franchises (who clashed in Super Bowl II) dating all the way back to 1990.
Neither the Packers nor Raiders offense gained at least 300 yards in the game. Jordan Love barely completely 50 percent of his passes (16-of-30) for 182 yards. He ran twice for 37 yards but also threw three interceptions.
Doug Pederson's team got back to the .500 mark last week with a win over the Falcons in London. The Jaguars were still in jolly old England and were the visiting team vs. the Buffalo Bills. This battle of defending division champions featured a frantic fourth quarter, but the Jaguars would hold on for a much-needed victory.
Jacksonville amassed 474 total yards, including 196 yards on the ground — most of that by Travis Etienne (136), who ran for two scores. Trevor Lawrence overcame five sacks and two turnovers, throwing for 315 yards and a TD.
Losses to the Ravens and Colts were followed by impressive victories over the Jaguars and Steelers. Now the Texans looked to make it three wins in a row as they clashed with the Falcons in Atlanta. Houston's offense was kept in check for the most part and managed only one touchdown and that wasn't until the fourth quarter.
C.J. Stroud threw for 249 yards and has still yet to serve up an interception. His 18-yard score to tight end Dalton Schultz with 1:49 to play and subsequent PAT gave Houston a one-point lead that the team failed to protect.
The Colts had not won a home game since Week 6 of 2022. They hosted the Titans and not only hoped to change that but snap a five-game losing streak in this AFC South rivalry. Shane Steichen's club came up with a solid effort, played turnover-free football and won for the third time this year. This, following a 4-12-1 showing in 2022.
Running back Zack Moss totaled 23 carries for 165 yards and both of the team's touchdowns. Anthony Richardson hit on 9-of-12 passes for 98 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss at least a month.
Dennis Allen's team was coming off back-to-back losses to the Packers and Buccaneers and scored a combined 26 points on those setbacks. The Saints were in Foxborough to take on a struggling New England Patriots team that was humbled a week earlier in Dallas. New Orleans added to Bill Belichick's misery via a resounding win.
Tyrann Mathieu got the team on the board in the first quarter after picking off a Mac Jones pass and going 27 yards for the score. Derek Carr threw a pair of touchdown passes and Alvin Kamara ran for 80 yards and one TD.
The Browns have gotten off to a respectable 2-2 start this season. Five weeks into 2022, Jim Schwartz's defensive unit has allowed the fewest total yards and fewest passing yards per game in the league. End Myles Garrett has nearly half (5.5) of the team's sacks and the club has allowed only five offensive TDs (4 in the loss to the Ravens).
On the other hand, quarterback Deshaun Watson is off to another shaky start and missed the team's Week 4 clash with Baltimore. He's hitting on 63.7 percent of his throws, but has as many touchdown passes (4) as turnovers.
A 2-0 start was followed by two straight losses by Arthur Smith's team as the Falcons took on the surprising Texans. Atlanta took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter on a seven-year run by quarterback Desmond Ridder. However, the Falcons wouldn't score again until the fourth quarter despite finishing the game with 447 total yards.
The Texans took a 19-18 lead when C.J. Stroud threw an 18-yard TD pass to Dalton Schultz and a PAT with 1:49 to play. The Falcons marched 56 yards and Younghoe Koo booted a 37-yard field goal on the last play of the game.
After letting games vs. the Dolphins and Titans (in overtime) get away from them the first two weeks, Brandon Staley's club rallied for a victory at Minnesota and held on to defeat the Ravens. Each of the Bolts' four contests this season have been decided by seven points or less. Quarterback Justin Herbert is off to a very strong start.
Meanwhile, Staley's defense continues to be a big disappointment. The Chargers have given up the second-most total yards per game in the league (404.0) and a dozen offensive touchdowns in only four games this season.
One of the big surprises on the opening weekend of the season was the Seahawks laying an egg at home against the rival Rams period. Since then, Pete Carroll's team has rebounded with three straight wins and has had few problems scoring. Only five teams in the league are averaging more points per game (27.8) this season.
The 'Hawks have not rolled up a lot of yards but have played very efficient football. Geno Smith threw an interception in the Week 3 win over Carolina and it remains the team's only turnover in four outings this season.
The Cowboys and 49ers have met in the playoffs each of the past two seasons, with San Francisco winning in both instances. There was a Sunday night clash in the Bay Area and the 49ers made a major statement in pushing around Mike McCarthy's team. The Cowboys gained six total yards in the first quarter and trailed 21-7 at the half.
Quarterback Dak Prescott had a forgettable evening. He threw for only 153 yards and was sacked three times. There was one TD pass but three interceptions. All told, the Cowboys turned over the ball four times in the loss.
Off last season's 8-10 finish (including a playoff loss to Dallas), and with a major change at quarterback, not many expected the Buccaneers to get off to an impressive start this season. The team's lone loss came on a Monday night against the defending NFC champion Eagles. Todd Bowles' club has road wins at Minnesota and New Orleans.
Much-maligned Baker Mayfield has done his part to date. He's hitting on 69.6 percent of his passes and has thrown for seven scores and only one interception. The Buccaneers have 10 takeaways and allowed only six offensive TDs.
It's always close when the Ravens and Steelers renew acquaintances as the rivalry continued in Pittsburgh on Sunday. John Harbaugh's club a 10-0 second quarter and in the first half alone totaled 244 yards, was 5-of-8 on third down and quarterback Lamar Jackson sacked once. There was only one turnover by the Ravens.
Then things for interesting. Baltimore was shut out in the second half and gained only 91 total yards. Jackson was sacked three times and turned over the ball twice. The Ravens failed to convert on six third-down attempts.
The Bills were technically the home team in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Sean McDermott's team looked to make it four straight victories after a Week 1 loss to the Jets. Buffalo's defense struggled to stop Jacksonville's offense, in particular the running game. McDermott's squad allowed 196 yards on the ground.
Buffalo trailed 11-0 after one quarter and never owned the lead. The Bills came up with five sacks of Trevor Lawrence and recovered two of his three fumbles, but McDermott's team came up with two costly turnovers.
The surging Lions had some extra time to savor their impressive Thursday night win at Lambeau Field in Week 4. The team was back at Ford Field and hosted a Carolina Panthers team looking for its first victory of the year. However, Dan Campbell's club made it quite clear early on that the visitors would not leave Detroit with a win.
The Lions were ahead 28-7 in the second quarter and finished the game with 377 total yards. Jared Goff threw for 236 yards and three scores and running back David Montgomery ran for 109 yards and one score on 19 carries.
Mike McDaniel's team was looking to bounce back from its latest loss at Buffalo. They hosted the Giants and hoped to take advantage of a struggling team that was not only having issues in stopping the run but protecting its quarterback as well. Miami was certainly up to both tasks. The team is 4-1 for the first time since 2003.
Rookie running back De'Von Achane ran for 151 yards and one score as the Dolphins finished with 222 yards on the ground. Vic Fangio's pass rush came up with seven sacks and get New York's offense out of the end zone.
The Eagles were on the road for the third time in five weeks and took on a Rams team that had shown it was capable of putting points on the board. However, Philadelphia's defense limited Sean McVay's squad to 249 total yards (54 yards rushing), sacked Matthew Stafford four times and shut out Los Angeles in the second half.
Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts (72) and running back D'Andre Swift (70) combined for 142 of the team's 159 rushing yards. Hurts also threw for 303 yards and a touchdown (1 interception). The Birds are 3-0 on the road.
It was a short week for the reigning Super Bowl champions, who were on the road for the second time in seven days. The Chiefs were looking for their fourth straight win as they visited Minnesota. Andy Reid's club actually trailed in the second quarter, 13-10, but the team took control after intermission and held on for the win.
Patrick Mahomes was once again very resourceful and tight end Travis Kelce was his top target. He threw at him times and there were 10 completions for 67 yards and one touchdown. The Chiefs are 3-0 on the road this season.
Make it 15 consecutive regular-season victories for Kyle Shanahan's team as the 49ers made decisive work of a Dallas Cowboys team that they had defeated in the playoffs in both 2021 and 2022. San Francisco limited Mike McCarthy's club to only 197 total yards and forced Dallas into four turnovers, including three Dak Prescott picks.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who threw for 252 yards, led a balanced attack that gained 421 total yards as Kyle Shanahan's team controlled the clock for 37:05. Three of Purdy's four touchdown passes went to George Kittle.
