NFL Week 5 saw a lot of exciting back and forth games (like Seattle versus New Orleans) as well as some blow outs (Buffalo). Let us look at some of the bigger storylines and reactions that arose from this week.
Josh Allen becomes the big favorite for MVP
Josh Allen had over 300 yards and four touchdowns…. In one half. He almost had five if he had not overthrown his receiver with seconds left in the second quarter. If the game had been even remotely close he could have challenged touchdown and yardage records easily. Sadly for fans watching, the Steelers laid down, but more on that in a minute. Allen just looks otherworldly right now. Last week we felt that Lamar was the favorite after four weeks, and while he led a game winning drive against the Bills, Allen is playing on another level. He continues to use his legs (and does take more hits than you want), but his throwing is what is setting him apart. The game was extremely windy but you would not know it from watching Allen effortlessly throw a bomb to Gabe Davis on multiple occassions. He can still be slow to progress at times like the last play in the loss to Miami, yet he is theoretically not in his prime yet. One thing is for certain, with his play and this offense, as well as a top defense, Buffalo appears to be the team to beat right now.
The Steelers have bigger problems than QB
While everything went right for the Bills, that game was ugly for the Steelers. The end of game numbers were not awful for Pickett, but that does not tell the story. The offense was bland, Najee could not get going, and they did not push the ball downfield enough against a banged up Bills secondary. Their offense as a whole seems to lack creativity considering the elite weapons they have at skill positions across the board.
Perhaps even worse than the offense is the defense. Granted, TJ Watt is still out. Even if he was there, however, that would not fox the brutal display put on by the secondary. To say they were torched is an understatement. Gabe Davis and Diggs beat up on the corners, while Shakir (the backup to the backup slot) and even further down their depth chart all found themselves wide open. They will be in for a rough year if their offense does not improve to help out that horrible defense.
The Lions also have more problems than originally thought
Detroit got shut out by the Patriots this week, and gave up 29 points to a Bailey Zappe led offense. This is not a slight on Zappe as we liked him coming out of college, but he is still the third string qb on this team. Rhamondre ran wild on them, and it showed how many issues they actually have. Yes, they were missing Swift, but that should not make the difference between being the top offense and scoring zero. Goff is a fine QB, but games like this are always the risk with him where the offense stalls.
The defense has issues all over the place. They are the worst ranked defense as a whole, and are near the bottom in most categories. They cannot stop the run if they wanted to, they are not getting sacks, no turnovers to speak of, or anything positive really. The positives I guess are that Hutchinson seems good, and Okudah is on a breakout type season. If the defense does not figure it out, it could be another average finish with signs of competitiveness this year.
The New York teams may be legit
The Giants pulled off a decent upset over the Packers in London (although the quality of the Packer roster is overhyped). Two big batted passes on third and fourth down cemented the biggest win for the team this season. The Giants boast a very good defense led by Whig Martindale, and an offense that is good enough with Barkley finally back. There may be no running back more valuable to their team right now than Saquon Barkley.
The Jets beat up on an injured Dolphins team, but they beat up on them nonetheless. Breece Hall had his breakout game, with 197 total yards and almost three touchdowns. Zach Wilson had a rushing touchdown, and almost two passing touchdowns (if Breece Hall would stop getting taken down at the one yard line). Sauce Gardner got his first interception, and the team seems like it should be competitive going forward.
Panthers finally fire Rhule
It is about time. There is not much to say here, but this was long overdue. Now the team can hopefully show some signs of life and figure out the QB position. A more creative offense has to be put in place. There are reports that the team will be sellers, but I would hold on to the pieces in place. Their team has a lot of talent and could be a good coach away from being competitive, and a high end QB away from being elite. One thing is certain, they need to go with a proven coach, not one from college and risk doing this all over again.