As the second month of NFL football progresses, the football landscape is baring a brighter light on the state of each team. Some teams have taken more steps forward, while others are taking more steps back. Not all is gloom-and-doom for the latter, however, since there are still 12 games left to claw back after NFL week four.
Let’s recap some of the best, worst, and all-right moments from Week Five of the 2024 regular season.
NFL Week 5 Review
The Good
Bringing Back Minneapolis Sound
The Minnesota Vikings are one of only two teams that have managed to stay perfect after five weeks. Not only do the Twin Cities boast one of the stingiest defenses in the league, but quarterback Sam Darnold is having a much-needed career resurgence. Darnold and company will have to keep up the pace and tighten up loose ends if they want to stay on top. Detroit, Chicago, and Green Bay all stand at .500 or better, therefore, posing a threat to Minnesota’s current reign.
Find a Way to Win or Make One
Like the aforementioned Vikings, the Kansas City Chiefs stand at 5-0 coming into Week Six. They also command a formidable rushing defense and have allowed only 17 points per game. Patrick Mahomes is not exactly having the best start to 2024, throwing as many interceptions as touchdown passes. But when push comes to shove, coach Andy Reid has always found a way to put or keep Kansas City in the win column, much to the chagrin of their detractors – much to the delight of those looking for the best sportsbook reward programs.
The Bad
Burrow-ing for Answers
Once again, victory has fallen just out of reach from Cincinnati. In an overtime heartbreaker at the hands of Baltimore, Joe Burrow had one of his best performances to date, throwing for almost 400 yards and five TDs on 76.9 percent pass completion. Right now, Burrow is the lone bright spot for the Bengals, as his elite start to the season is being wasted via a 1-4 record. With a defense that allows 29 points per game (2nd highest behind Carolina), several changes must be made to put the Bengals back into the playoff mix.
All Jets Grounded
Before the season began, Gang Green Nation had a lot to be excited for. Aaron Rodgers was back from his Achilles injury, and the offensive line was finally getting reinforcements. Unfortunately, the New York Jets have fallen short of expectations on most fronts. After a 2-3 start to the campaign, the Jets organization fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 20-36 coaching record with the team. Regardless of whose fault it is for the Jets’ current state, things will most likely get worse before they get better.
The Meh
Turning the Tide W/O Tua?
Needless to say, the Miami Dolphins offense has become the polar opposite of their 2023 incarnation. With the fewest points scored per game in the league, Mike McDaniel and Tyler Huntley will need to put some pep in Miami’s step to take the load off their defense. With a 15-10 victory over an equally lowly New England Patriots, the Dolphins will need to find a way to stay in the win column. Every other team in the AFC East, however, lost this past weekend, so the 305 hasn’t fallen completely behind just yet.
Main Image: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images
