NFL Week 5 live thread

Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-4)

Well, one of these teams is getting their first win today.

So that’s a thing.

Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Tennessee Titans (2-2)

One of the more interesting games of the day as the Bills look to prove their early start was no fluke. They harassed New England Patriots QB Tom Brady last week nearly to the point of getting a win, but Bills QB Josh Allen and the offense couldn’t unlock the superior 2019 Pats defense.

The Titans on the other hand look a middling team in a middling division in the AFC South where every team is 2-2. They looked a decent part against the Atlanta Falcons a week ago, but they’re going to need more than the seven points they scored two weeks ago against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The return of LT Taylor Lewan from suspension should help.

Chicago Bears (3-1) at Oakland Raiders (2-2)

This is the kind of game the Bears need to win to validate their status among the NFC’s best. The Catch-22 here is that QB Mitchell Trubisky is out with an injured non-throwing shoulder. If they can beat the Raiders on the road, they’ll prove Trubisky is essentially non-essential. If they fail, they affirm their defense, ranked third in DVOA by Football Outsiders, isn’t strong enough to cover for Trubisky’s absence.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at New Orleans Saints (3-1)

Tampa kicked off their two-game road swing with a huge win over the Los Angeles Rams. Now they’re in Louisiana to take on the Saints. With QB Drew Brees throwing again, the Saints might not have to wait too much longer to get their guy back even if they’ve survived just fine with QB Teddy Bridgewater by beating the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys the last two weeks.

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at New York Giants (2-2)

The Vikings look fantastic on defense, but they lost last week despite holding the Bears to just 16 points. They have to get things going on offense or they’re going to find themselves left at the back of the NFC North.

Meanwhile, the Giants are...maybe not bad? The floor of the NFL is pretty rigidly set, and the G-Men don’t seem to be near it. This is a chance for them to prove they’re nowhere near it and maybe in the thick middle of the NFL with a chance to contend.

New York Jets (0-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

No excuses here. Philly has to hold home field advantage. As 14-point favorites, anything less than a blowout is going to be a letdown.

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)

Well, this is huge even with just three wins spread between them. One of the bigger rivalries in the NFL, this is perhaps the best game of the early slate.

A win for Baltimore gets them back over .500 and drops Pittsburgh to a wasteful 1-4 start. Should Pittsburgh win, they’ll match Baltimore at 2-3 with both desperate to get over the .500 hump in the weeks ahead.

This game is dripping with desperation which makes it rife for drama.

New England Patriots (4-0) at Washington Game-Not-Winners (0-4)

Cruel.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (2-2)

With Panthers QB Cam Newton still out with his foot injury, can Minshew Mania keep on keepin on? If the Jags can get this one and go 2-0 on their two-game road trip, they come home next week to face the Saints at home in a huge Week 6 clash.

Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Houston Texans (2-2)

If there’s a game that can meet the desperation of Ravens-Steelers, this is it.

Falcons fans are already considering the firing of their head coach if they drop this one today. It’s that bad, and a 1-4 start would be entirely fair cause for separation.

After looking like one of the NFL’s better teams through three weeks, Houston looked limp against the Titans scoring just 10 points and losing to backup QB Kyle Allen. If they lose at home to the wandering Falcons, their season takes a full 180 from Week 3 to Week 6.

Denver Broncos (0-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

No excuses for the Bolts. No excuse for anyone to watch this either.

Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

Absolutely fantastic game.

For the Pack, they’re without WR Davante Adams which is obviously a huge loss as he recuperates from that turf toe he’s dealing with since the end of the Week 4 game against the Eagles. This is a massive opportunity for QB Aaron Rodgers though.

Dallas is without starters themselves with LT Tyron Smith out after twisting his ankle at the end of the Cowboys’ Week 4 game against the Saints.

No excuses for either. No underplaying how big this win is for whichever team comes out with the W.