Two overtime games, two blocked field goals, multiple pick-sixes, and the return of offense encapsulated a wild and fun week five in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons 36, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30
A career game for Kirk Cousins led the Falcons to an overtime win over division rival Buccaneers. Cousins threw for a career-high 509 yards, on a career-high 58 pass attempts. Cousins also threw for four touchdowns and an interception. The four touchdowns also tied a career-high for Cousins. The last of those touchdowns went to KhaDarel Hodge, who broke a tackle and scampered for 45 yards in overtime for the game-winning score. Drake London led all Falcons receivers with 12 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown. Darnell Mooney also had a nice game for Atlanta, tallying nine catches for 105 yards and two scores. After a wild fourth quarter that featured a blocked field goal, a fumble, and an interception, Cousins and the Falcons got the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 1:14 remaining in regulation and no timeouts, trailing 30-27. Cousins completed five passes to push Atlanta to the Buccaneers 29, then hustled to the line to spike the ball with a single second left. Younghoe Koo then knocked through a 52-yard field goal to force overtime, one week after he made a 58-yarder with two seconds left to beat the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons then won the coin toss in overtime and made sure Baker Mayfield and the Bucs never touched the ball. Mayfield finished with 180 yards and three touchdowns. Mike Evans led all Tampa Bay receivers with five catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Godwin chipped in with five catches for 64 yards, but it wasn’t enough as the Buccaneers weren’t able to close out the game after getting the ball back up three with 1:44 remaining in the game.
Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Jets 17
In the first NFL London game of 2024, the Minnesota Vikings remained undefeated and improved to 5-0 with a 23-17 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. The Vikings’ defense intercepted Rodgers three times and stifled the Jets’ attempt at a comeback. Despite trailing 17-0 early, the Jets had a chance to drive for a potential winning score in the final minutes. But Stephon Gilmore intercepted Rodgers’ pass intended for Mike Williams, and the Vikings improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2016. Andrew Van Ginkel had a 63-yard pick-six of Rodgers in the first quarter and set the tone for the game. Fullback C.J. Ham’s two-yard run made it 17-0 before the Jets got back in the game when Rodgers found Allen Lazard for a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. Rodgers would also find Garrett Wilson for a one-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-17 but that’s as close as the Jets would get. Sam Darnold, who was drafted by the Jets, finished with 179, an interception, and a fumble. Running back Aaron Jones left with injury for the Vikings in the second quarter, and the offense was never able to stay consistent after that. Justin Jefferson led the Minnesota receivers with six catches for 92 yards. Rodgers also came up limping after taking a hard hit in the game and favoring his left leg, the same leg he tore his Achilles on last year. Rodgers finished with 244 yards, two touchdowns, and three picks.
Chicago Bears 36, Carolina Panthers 10
Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and D’Andre Swift led the Bears to a dominant win over the lowly Carolina Panthers. Williams threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, and picked apart a banged-up defense that ranks among the NFL’s worst. Moore caught five passes for 105 yards, and two scores. Swift, coming off a very impressive game last week, built upon that finishing with 73 rushing yards, and a score while also hauling in two passes for 47 yards. The Bears won their second straight game after dropping two in a row, with the two key pieces they acquired as a result of a blockbuster trade with Carolina in 2023 leading the way. Williams might have been playing for the Panthers if not for that trade in 2023. Carolina sent Moore and the No. 9 overall pick to Chicago for the top selection in the draft that year. The Bears also got the Panthers’ 2024 first-rounder who wound up being the first overall pick as part of that deal, and they took the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California.
Baltimore Ravens 41, Cincinnati Bengals 38
In what might be in contention for game of the year, Lamar Jackson led the Baltimore Ravens to a thrilling overtime win over the Bengals to improve to 3-2, and drop the Bengals to a lowly 1-4, and 0-3 at home. Jackson was phenomenal finishing with 348 yards and four scores through the air and another 55 yards on the ground. However, for all of Jackson’s herculean efforts, it was almost all for nothing as in overtime Baltimore won the coin toss and began to motor down the field looking to put the game away, when Jackson fumbled a snap just past midfield. Germaine Pratt of the Bengals jumped on it giving it to the Cincinnati offense with a chance to win the game. Unfortunately for the Bengals, on their game-winning field goal attempt from 53 yards away, the snap was fumbled and Evan McPherson wasn’t able to get it off giving the ball back to Baltimore. Derrick Henry would ice the game with a 51-yard run that set up the Justin Tucker game-winning 24-yard field goal. Tucker hit a 56-yarder with 1:35 left in regulation following an interception by Marlon Humphrey. Henry finished the game with 92 yards rushing and a score. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense marched up and down the field all day, but it came down to the big play they weren’t able to come through. Burrow finished with 392 yards, five touchdowns, and the critical interception late in the fourth quarter on a pass intended for Ja’Marr Chase. Chase finished the game with 10 catches for 193 yards and two scores, including a 70-yarder off a little bubble screen in which Chase made several Baltimore defenders miss. Tee Higgins also had seven catches for 93 yards and two scores for Cincinnati. The Bengals led by 10 points three times in the second half, but Jackson brought the Ravens back each time.
Miami Dolphins 15, New England Patriots 10
In a game about which team would make fewer mistakes, the Patriots made more and ultimately lost. A blocked punt and two missed field goals, one off the upright and one on a botched snap. Another snap over the quarterback’s head, taking Miami out of range for another field goal attempt. An interception that set up the Patriots’ only touchdown was all the lowlights on the Dolphins’ day, but they still managed to find a way to win. In a game between two of the NFL’s worst teams that was pocked with penalties, missed kicks, and poor clock management, Miami took the lead for good when Alec Ingold plunged into the end zone with four minutes left on his only carry of the game to give the Dolphins a 15-10 lead. The Patriots celebrated a go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:03 left, but replays showed Ja’Lynn Polk’s second heel came down on the back end line nullifying the touchdown. After two no-chance incompletions, and yet another penalty, the Patriots turned the ball over on downs. New England got the ball back on its own 43 with 29 seconds left, and Brissett connected on a 21-yard pass to Kayshon Boutte at the Dolphins 36; with no timeouts, the Patriots hustled to spike the ball with 12 seconds left. Brissett hit Hunter Henry at the 11 but near the yardage markers but too far inbounds for them to have a chance to stop the clock.
Washington Commanders 34, Cleveland Browns 13
Jaydon Daniels and the Commanders kept the train rolling with a dismantling of the Browns leading to a 34-13 win to improve to 4-1 and stay atop the NFC East division. Washington is 4-1 for the first time since 2008. Daniels finished the game with 238 yards, a touchdown, and a pick and also added 82 yards on the ground. Terry McLaurin led the Commanders in receiving hauling in four passes for 112 yards, but did also have a fumble. Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols ran all over the Browns, combining for 211 yards on 31 carries. Robinson ran for two TDs, and McNichols had one in a game so lopsided that fans were doing the wave with four minutes left in the third quarter. The Commanders’ defense had a ton to do with that, forcing Deshaun Watson to fumble, sacking him seven times, and allowing a total of 212 yards. After Washington entered with the worst third-down defense in the league, Cleveland went one of 13 in a sloppy, disjointed effort, with its only touchdown coming in garbage time. Daniels also had a couple of highlight reel plays including a 66-yard throw to McLaurin that saw Daniels scramble to his right and heave it downfield to the open McLaurin. The other saw Daniels ask his offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, for a chance to go deep right before the half and Daniels capitalized by throwing a 41-yard strike to Dyami Brown for a score.
Jacksonville Jaguars 37, Indianapolis Colts 34
After five long weeks, finally, every NFL team has at least 1 win in the 2024 season. On his birthday, Trevor Lawrence came up big for the Jaguars, finishing with 371 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Brian Thomas Jr. led Jacksonville in receiving finishing with five catches for 112 yards and a score, including a highlight reel 85-yard touchdown in the first half. Tank Bigsby also had a huge game, finishing with 101 yards and two scores on the ground while hauling in a pass for 28 yards. However, it wasn’t all positive for the Jaguars as yet another late-game collapse left them looking for more answers. The Colts scored 24 points in the fourth quarter despite playing without quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and center Ryan Kelly. They racked up 447 yards and converted seven of 14 third downs, providing more headaches for new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Joe Flacco finished with 359 yards and three touchdowns as the 39-year-old veteran did everything in his power to will the Colts to victory. Flacco had one final chance, but Travon Walker ended the game with his third sack. Alec Pierce finished with three catches for 134 yards and a score, including two long catches in the 4th quarter that almost brought the Colts back. Michael Pittman Jr also hauled in five catches for 37 yards for Indy.
Houston Texans 23, Buffalo Bills 20
In a matchup of premier quarterbacks, C.J. Stroud and the Texans got the better of Josh Allen and the Bills, as a Ka’imi Fairbairn 59-yard field goal as time expired gave the Texans a 23-20 win. Stroud threw for 331 yards, a touchdown a pick in the win. Stefon Diggs, facing his former team, finished with six catches for 82 yards. The Texans led 20-3 after a field goal early in the third quarter before the Bills scored 17 straight points to tie it with about just over three minutes to go. Stroud was called for intentional grounding to bring up fourth-and-15 and take the Texans out of field-goal range with less than a minute left. Already without running back Joe Mixon for a fourth straight game, Houston struggled offensively after losing NFL receiving leader Nico Collins to a hamstring injury after he scored a long touchdown early in the second quarter. Allen struggled on the day going nine for 30 for 131 yards and a score, also adding 54 yards on the ground. The Bills fanbase had a bit of a scare as late in the fourth quarter a drive started with Mitch Tribusky at quarterback, while Allen was in the medical tent being checked out after banging his head hard on the turf a few plays earlier. He re-entered the game on second down but threw two incompletions. James Cook finished with 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground while also hauling in two passes for 17 yards. Coach Sean McDermott will be under scrutiny this week, after he elected to pass the ball twice from their own three-yard line instead of running the ball and forcing the Texans to use their remaining timeouts and try and force overtime. The Bills would ultimately go three and out and punt it back to Houston, which would set up Fairbairns game winner.
Denver Broncos 24, Las Vegas Raiders 18
Patrick Surtain II had two interceptions as he led the Broncos defense to a 34-18 rout of the Raiders. On the first interpretation, Surtain returned it 100 yards for a pick-six that erased an early 10-0 lead for the Raiders. The Raiders scored on Brock Bowers’ 57-yard touchdown catch, and Daniel Carlson’s 40-yard field goal and were threatening to take a 17-3 lead when Gardner Minshew, who completed his first nine passes for 115 yards, rolled to his left on first-and-goal from the five yard line and had Bowers open. His throw sailed over Bowers’ head, and Surtain caught it at his own goal line and took off down the Denver sideline. The only Raider who had a chance to prevent the turnaround touchdown was Minshew, but he was bowled over by rookie linebacker Jonah Ellis 35 yards downfield and Surtain trotted into the end zone with the ball held high. Bo Nix had another nice game for Denver, as he finished with 206 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score. Nix completed passes to 11 different players which was a franchise record. The Raiders were again without star wideout Davante Adams and rookie tight end Brock Bowers wasn’t able to carry the offense even though he hauled in eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Arizona Cardinals 24, San Francisco 49ers 23
Kyler Murray and some timely defense helped lead the Cardinals to a 24-23 upset win over the 49ers in San Francisco. His day started with a 50-yard touchdown run, and ended watching his team’s fill-in kicker drill a go-ahead field goal and his defense intercept Brock Purdy to seal the game. Murray finished the day with 195 yards, a touchdown, and a pick along with 83 rushing yards and a score. Murray did plenty with his touchdown run, touchdown pass, and key late drive but he also had plenty of help. James Conner ran for 86 yards and scored on a two-point conversion, Marvin Harrison Jr. made a fourth-down catch to fuel the winning drive and the defense pitched a second-half shutout with three takeaways. This marked the second time this season that San Francisco blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter to a division rival, having done it in week three against the Los Angeles Rams. The Niners lost just one division game the past two seasons when winning NFC West titles but are 0-2 already this year after the sixth blown double-digit lead in the fourth quarter in the regular season and playoffs under coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers squandered several chances and scored only one TD on six drives that reached the end zone. The most costly came midway through the fourth quarter when Jordan Mason lost a fumble that Mack Wilson recovered at the eight yard line to keep Arizona within two points. Brock Purdy finished the game with 244 yards, a touchdown, and two picks but it just wasn’t enough to bring home the win.
Green Bay Packers 24, Los Angeles Rams 19
Jordan Love threw 2 second-half touchdowns as he led the Packers to a 24-19 win over the Rams. Despite throwing his first career pick-six on an ugly play in the second quarter, Love finished with 224 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 pick. Josh Jacobs chipped in with 73 rushing yards and a first-quarter touchdown. Second-year tight end, Tucker Kraft, was the Packers’ leading receiver as he hauled in 4 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Packers trailed 13-7 late in the second quarter after Jaylen McCollough intercepted Love’s off-balance attempt to throw the ball away and ran it in from 4 yards. But Love led Green Bay to points on its next three drives and benefited from a pair of turnovers to beat the Rams for the ninth time in their last 10 regular-season meetings. The Rams were again without their starting left tackle, left guard, center, and top two wide receivers but Matthew Stafford tried everything to will his team to victory. Stafford finished with 260 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. That interception was by Packers safety, Xavier McKinney. McKinney has now had an interception in every game this year. Kyren Williams had 102 yards rushing on 22 carries and scored for the eighth straight game when he plowed in from 1 yard in the second quarter to even it at 7. Williams has the longest TD streak by a Rams running back since Greg Bell scored in 10 straight during the 1988 and ’89 seasons. The Rams are off to their worst start since moving to Los Angeles in 2016. The last time they dropped four of their first five to start the season was when they were in St. Louis in 2014.
New York Giants 29, Seattle Seahawks 20
Daniel Jones, and a clutch blocked field goal, led the Giants to a 29-20 win over the Seahawks in Seattle. Isaiah Simmons blocked the Seahawks game-tying field goal attempt with 55 seconds left, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton scooped it up and returned the blocked kick for a touchdown to seal the game and the win for New York. The blocked kick was the capper to a nearly perfect day for the Giants. Playing without two of its best offensive players, New York put together a masterful game plan that built a 23-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Giants then came up with one big special teams play with Seattle on the verge of potentially forcing overtime. The block saw guard Laken Tomlinson get pushed down by New York’s Dexter Lawrence II, allowing a lane for the athletic Simmons to leap through and make the block. The conclusion was stunning after Seattle seemed on the verge of an unlikely rally and possibly handing the Giants another one-score defeat. Geno Smith threw a five-yard TD to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 2:09 remaining to cap a 95-yard touchdown drive. New York was unable to pick up a first down and punted back to Seattle, only to see Smith dart 32 yards on the first play to get the Seahawks into field goal range. Daniel Jones finished the game with 257 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Geno Smith, a week after setting career highs in most passing stats, finished with only 284 yards and a touchdown. The Giants were able to keep DK Metcalf quiet as he finished with only four catches for 55 yards.
Dallas Cowboys 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Dak Prescott had two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as he led the Cowboys to a thrilling come-from-behind win on Sunday Night Football over the Steelers. The game was delayed 1.5 hours due to storms in the area, and didn’t end until close to 1 a.m. on the East Coast but the 60 minutes of football that ensured were thrilling. Prescott had spent the previous three-plus hours mixing brilliant plays and baffling ones in equal measure, throwing a pair of picks and fumbling once to almost single-handedly keep the sluggish Steelers in the game. Yet, when Dallas got the ball back down four with 4:56 remaining, Prescott calmly led the Cowboys 70 yards in 15 plays, even alertly pouncing on a fumble by teammate Rico Dowdle when the ball came squirting free as Dowdle tried to leap into the end zone and was blasted by Steelers defenders who met him at the goal line. The heads-up play gave Dallas two more shots, and after an incompletion, Prescott finished off his 352-yard performance by lifting the injury-ravaged Cowboys to a second straight victory. Pittsburgh dropped its second consecutive game following a 3-0 start, this one a lethargic performance particularly on offense. Pittsburgh got the ball back after Tolbert’s go-ahead score, but a lateral-fest went nowhere and the Cowboys poured onto the field in victory in a game that finished a minute shy of 1 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs 26, New Orleans Saints 13
In the Chiefs first game without Isiah Pacheco, Hollywood Brown, or Rashee Rice, the Chiefs took care of business with a comfortable 26-13 win over the Saints on Monday Night Football. Eight different Chiefs caught a pass from Mahomes, with JuJu Smith-Schuster leading the way with seven catches for 130 yards. He did, however, have a drop in the end zone that led to an interception. Mahomes finished with 331 yards, an interception, and 25 rushing yards. Kareem Hunt, in his second game back with the Chiefs, had 102 rushing yards, a touchdown, and a catch for 15 yards. This game could’ve been much more of a blowout than it was, but the Chiefs were only two for seven in the red zone for scoring touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a three-yard rushing touchdown by rookie Xavier Worthy on a creative play that saw Travis Kelce take the snap and hand it off to Worthy. Travis Kelce had another very solid game after a slow to the season finishing with nine catches for 70 yards. Harrison Butker hit four of five field goals on the only missing from 51 yards out just before the half. The Chiefs defense also contributed to the win stifling Derek Carr and the Saints offense for most of the night. The Chiefs defense had only one sack and two tackles for loss but had eight quarterback hits and held the NFL’s scrimmage yards leader, Alvin Kamara, to only 26 yards rushing on 11 carries. The Saints as a team only had 46 yards on 15 carries. The Chiefs outgained the Saints 463-220 and won the time-of-possession battle 39:56-20:04 in a very dominant night from the Chiefs defense. The Chiefs will head into the bye week 5-0 for the first time since 2018, Mahomes first year as the starter. It was a very different win for the Chiefs that saw them use multiple three or even four tight end formations and it was very effective. The Saints, meanwhile, will hold their breath on the health of Derek Carr who took a massive hit from Chamarri Connor late in the fourth quarter and was taken to the locker to be evaluated for an oblique injury.
Week six will kickoff on Thursday, Oct. 10 as the San Francisco 49ers head to Seattle to face division rival Seahawks in a clash on teams desperate for a win. The week will conclude on Monday Night Football as the Buffalo Bills head to the Meadowlands to play Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, in a matchup between AFC East opponents and a rematch in a game where last year Rodgers made in three plays before tearing his Achilles.
