NFL 2023 Week 5 Recap

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action has come to an end. With Week 5 in the books, there have been some crazy storylines thus far. Week 5 brought us, an offensive masterpiece in Washington, a shutout in New England, Jonathan Taylor's return to Indy, another close game in Minnesota, and a Showdown in the Bay Area. All those games and more in this week's recap post.

NFL Week 5 Freaky Stats

Chicago's win against Washington was the first time they got a win since October 22nd, 2022 against New England. That was 346 days ago. Pittsburgh's win over Baltimore is their 700th win in franchise history, only Green Bay has more wins in NFL history. 

NFL Week 5 Recap

Chicago 40, Washington 20: TW: Commanders; CV: Commanders

The winless Bears get a dub in Landover. Justin Fields got it done with 15 of 29 passes for 282 yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Three of those went to DJ Moore who racked up 230 receiving yards with a few big plays of 20+ yards, including a 58-yard play that was the longest for him. Khalil Herbert got 76 yards rushing in the game while Fields got 57 yards. Most of the damage Chicago did was during the first half as they put up 27 points. At the end of the game they got 451 total yards. Sam Howell did his best with 37 of 51 passing completions for 388 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. The two touchdowns would go to Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas. Washington's deficit was early and deep so they did not utilize their running game a lot. Sam Howell got 19 yards rushing while Brian Robinson Jr got 10 rushing yards, combined for 10 carries. Washington's offense gave it a go while racking up 388 total yards of offense. The game was really over at halftime. For the Bears, they get their first win after going winless in 14 straight games, dating back to October 24th 2022 against New England but have a 1-4 record. For the Commanders, they drop their 3rd straight game after going 2-0 with a 2-3 record. 

Next week:
Chicago: vs Minnesota
Washington: @ Atlanta

TW: 0-1; CV: 0-1

Jacksonville 25, Buffalo 20: TW: Bills; CV: Bills

Jacksonville was right at home in London for the 2nd straight week. Trevor Lawrence who celebrated his 24th birthday on Friday looked like a hardy veteran with 25 of 37 passes for 315 yards with a touchdown pass to Zay Jones. The touchdown came on a sustained drive on a six-yard play. Travis Etienne was a huge part of the gameplan for Jacksonville as he ran for 136 yards for two touchdowns on 26 carries. Typically Buffalo's defense against the run was 118.5 yards/game. The Jaguars offense was on fire on both pass and run as they racked up 474 total yards. Josh Allen put forth a valiant effort as he hit 27 of 40 passes for 359 yards with two touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He would toss an interception in the 4th quarter. He was the leading rusher for Buffalo with 14 yards with a touchdown run. It was basically all him in this game. Buffalo's offense was not as balanced as Jacksonville's as Buffalo had 388 total yards, 359 of them to the air. It would also be a slow start for the Bills offensively as they had six drives in the 1st half, five of them resulted in a punt or end of half. For the Jaguars, they get a huge win in England for the 2nd straight week and will get to go home to the USA at 3-2. For the Bills, they drop to 3-2 in 2023. 

Next week:
Jacksonville: vs Indianapolis
Buffalo: vs NY Giants (Sunday night)

TW: 0-2; CV: 0-2

Baltimore 10, Pittsburgh 17: TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens-Steelers rivalry created a new chapter in Pittsburgh. Lamar Jackson hit 22 of 38 passes for 236 yards with an interception in the 4th quarter. Gus Edwards hit the ground with 48 yards rushing. Lamar Jackson rushed for 45 yards. Justice Hill scored the only touchdown for Baltimore on a 14-yard outside run. Miscues would cost Baltimore in this game as they also turned the ball over two other times on fumbles as well as a safety in the 4th quarter. Baltimore hit 335 total yards in the game. Kenny Pickett was on somewhat in this game as he hit 18 of 32 passes for 224 yards with a touchdown pass to George Pickens that would lead to a failed two-point conversion that ended up giving the Steelers a 14-10 lead. Jaylen Warren rushed for 40 yards while Najee Harris rushed for 37 yards. George Pickens got 130 receiving yards on six catches. Pittsburgh's offense got 289 yards of offense in this game. On the safety, Miles Killebrew would get his hands on the Jordan Stout punt. The two points would propel the Steelers for a 14 point 4th quarter. For the Ravens, they drop to 3-2 on the season. For the Steelers, they get a much needed win and improve to 3-2. 

Next week:
Baltimore: @ Tennessee (Sunday morning)
Pittsburgh: Bye

TW: 0-3; CV: 0-3

Carolina 24, Detroit 42: TW: Lions; CV: Lions

Offense was abundant in the Motor City. Bryce Young hit 25 of 41 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns with two interceptions. Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Tommy Tremble were the players that caught those Young passes. Bryce Young did have his troubles as he hit two interceptions in the game. Chuba Hubbard hit 35 yards rushing for nine carries. Carolina would really get behind at halftime as they had a 28-10 deficit at halftime. Their offense got 342 total yards. Jared Goff was on fire in this game as he hit 20 of 28 passes for 236 yards for three touchdowns as well had a rushing touchdown. Josh Reynolds had one catch for a touchdown and Sam LaPorta had two touchdowns. Detroit's running game would put the hammer on the Panthers. David Montgomery had 109 yards rushing with a touchdown run. Craig Reynolds had 52 yards rushing with a touchdown. Detroit's offense got 377 total yards in the game. For the Panthers, they still have to look into next week to get win #1 as they drop to 0-5. For the Lions, they get to 4-1 on the season. 

Next week:
Carolina: @ Miami
Detroit: @ Tampa Bay

TW: 1-3; CV: 1-3

Houston 19, Atlanta 21: TW: Texans; CV: Texans
Younghoe Koo gets a clutch kick as the Falcons get to above .500 on the season. CJ Stroud had an alright game as he put up 20 of 35 passes for 249 yards with a touchdown. Dalton Schultz touchdown play was from a deep pass up the middle for 18 yards that gave the Texans a 19-18 lead with 1:49 left in the game. It would not last. Dameon Pierce had 66 yards for 20 carries. It was somewhat of a quiet game for the Texans offense as they got just 313 total yards in the game. Desmond Ridder played a better game as he hit 28 of 37 passes for 329 total yards with a touchdown pass to Bijan Robinson. Ridder would also rush in for a touchdown that gave the Falcons a 7-3 lead in the 1st quarter. Bijan Robinson had 46 yards on 14 carries in the game. Atlanta got themselves a 447 total yard performance from their offense. The Younghoe Koo kick came on a 37-yard field goal that would sail through the uprights and gave the Falcons the win. For the Texans, their two-game winning streak comes to an end as they drop to 2-3. For the Falcons, they break out of their two-game slump and improve to 3-2. 

Next week:
Houston: vs New Orleans

Atlanta: vs Washington

TW: 1-4; CV: 1-4

New Orleans 34, New England 0: TW: Saints; CV: Saints

New Orleans hands the Patriots their worst shutout loss at home since 1969. Derek Carr hit 18 of 26 passes for 183 yards with two touchdowns. Chris Olave and Foster Moreau were the players that caught the two touchdown passes from Carr. Alvin Kamara would get back to his old self as he rushed for 80 yards with a touchdown run on 22 carries. New Orleans defense looked legit as they caused three turnovers. New Orleans had 304 total yards of offense in the game, 136 yards on the run. It was a pitiful performance from the Patriots offense. Mac Jones hit 12 for 22 passes for 110 yards with two interceptions. One of them came on a desperation pass to Tyrann Mathieu for a pick-six. Another interception came on a dropped pass that was recovered by Pete Werner. Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 24 yards. Ezekiel Elliot had 21 yards rushing. All in all, the Patriots offense got to 156 total yards. The previous worst shutout loss at home was a 31-0 loss against the Chiefs in 1969. For the Saints, they get back to above .500 football with 3-2. For the Patriots, they drop to 1-4 for the first time since 2000. 

Next week: 
New Orleans: @ Houston

New England: @ Las Vegas

TW: 2-4; CV: 2-4

NY Giants 16, Miami 31: TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
Not much excitement for the Giants but a 102-yard pick six was at least something. Daniel Jones hit 14 of 20 passes for 119 yards in the game. He would suffer an injury after taking a huge sack in his 17th sack in seven quarters. Tyrod Taylor would come off the bench and hit 9 for 12 for 86 yards. Eric Gray rushed for 25 yards in the game. The Giants offense got 268 yards of offense in the game. Jason Pinnock's pick-six came on a lengthy drive by the Dolphins that would happen in a pass play that was intended for Jaylen Waddle. It was a 102-yard return, the longest so far this season. Tua Tagovailoa hit 22 of 30 passes for 308 yards with two touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill racked up 181 receiving yards with six catches. Tagovailoa also threw two interceptions, including the aforementioned pick-six. De'Von Achane had 151 yards rushing with a touchdown. Raheem Mostert rushed for 65 yards with a touchdown as well. The offense of the Dolphins came from a balanced attack as they had 524 total yards with 222 rushing yards. For the Giants, their nightmare of a season continues as they drop to 1-4. For the Dolphins, they move to 4-1 after a tough loss to the Bills last week. 

Next week:
NY Giants: @ Buffalo (Sunday night)
Miami: vs Carolina

TW: 3-4; CV: 3-4

Tennessee 16, Indianapolis 23: TW: Titans; CV: Titans

Zach Moss, not Jonathan Taylor would run over the Titans. Ryan Tannehill hit 23 of 34 for 264 yards with an interception in the 4rd quarter on their last drive of the game. Derrick Henry threw a touchdown pass last week but would play quarterback again this week, this time for an incompletion. Derrick Henry ran the ball for 43 yards. Tennessee's lone touchdown came on a 19-yard run by Tyjae Spears in the 3rd quarter from a 4 play, 75-yard touchdown. The Titans offense put up 348 total yards. Nick Folk hit 3 for 3 on field goals. The Colts quarterbacks wouldn't get a lot done as Anthony Richardson hit 9 of 12 passes for 98 yards. Richardson left the game with a possible right shoulder injury. Gardner Minshew came in and provided 11 of 14 passes for 155 yards. They didn't throw touchdowns but they didn't throw interceptions either. Zach Moss rushed for 165 yards with two touchdown runs, including a 56-yard run late in the 1st quarter that put the Colts up 7-3. Indianapolis got 429 total yards of offense. The news of Jonathan Taylor's new contract came out on Saturday and was active for this game. He got 18 yards on six carries. For the Titans, they drop to 2-3 in the season. For the Colts, they get to 3-2 on the season with their 3rd win in the last four games. 

Next week:
Tennessee: vs Baltimore (Sunday morning)
Indianapolis: @ Jacksonville

TW: 3-5; CV: 3-5

Cincinnati 34, Arizona 20: TW: Bengals; CV: Cardinals

Well it looks like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase read my Week 5 Picks post and did damage against the Cardinals. Joe Burrow hit 36 of 46 passes for 317 yards with three touchdown passes. All of them to Ja'Marr Chase. He did hit a pass that was intercepted in the 3rd quarter. Joe Mixon ran the ball for 81 yards in the win. Ja'Marr Chase caught 15 passes for 192 yards with the aforementioned three touchdowns. The Bengals got their offense rolling as they got 380 yards of offensive output. Joshua Dobbs hit 15 of 32 passes for 166 yards with touchdown passes to Malcolm Brown and Zach Ertz. There were two interceptions that he threw. One of them went back for a pick-six by Cam Taylor-Britt for an 11-yard score. Rondale Moore rushed for 50 yards on 3 carries. James Conner rushed for 46 yards on six carries. Emari Demercado, the rookie out of Texas Christian University, scored his first touchdown on a 11-yard play late in the 4th quarter. Arizona would somewhat hang with the Bengals but would falter a bit late in the game, getting 294 total yards at the end of it. For the Bengals, they get a win with a record of 2-3. For the Cardinals, they falter with a 1-4 record in 2023. 

Next week:
Cincinnati: vs Seattle

Arizona: @ LA Rams

TW: 4-5; CV: 3-6

Philadelphia 23, LA Rams 14: TW: Rams; CV: Eagles

It was a Jalen Hurts day in Los Angeles. Jalen Hurts hit 25 of 38 passes for 303 yards with a touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert as well rushed in for a touchdown getting 72 yards rushing. He would throw an interception in the game. D'Andre Swift rushed for 70 yards on 17 carries. Philly had two 100-yard receivers in the game with AJ Brown getting 127 receiving yards while Dallas Goedert had 117 receiving yards. The Eagles offense was doing its thing as they put up 454 total yards, 159 of them coming from the ground. Matthew Stafford was questionable for the game but he did look like his old self with 21 of 37 passing for 222 yards for two touchdowns. Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell were the players that caught those passes. Kyren Williams had 53 yards rushing on 13 carries. Cooper Kupp made his return to the field in 2023 and didn't miss a beat as he got 118 receiving yards with eight catches. The Rams offense wouldn't get a lot in this game as their points came in the 1st half, getting 249 total yards. For the Eagles, they move to 5-0 and will stay unbeaten for at least another week. For the Rams, they fall to 2-3 in the 2023 season but stay in 3rd place in the NFC West. 

Next week:
Philadelphia: @ NY Jets
LA Rams: vs Arizona

TW: 4-6; CV: 4-6

Kansas City 27, Minnesota 20: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs survive in the Twin Cities. Patrick Mahomes hit 31 of 41 passes for 281 yards with two touchdowns to Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. Kelce had injured his ankle during the game but would return to the game and score that touchdown. Safe to say Taylor Swift was not in attendance in the game. Isiah Pacheco rushed for 55 yards with a touchdown in the game. The Chiefs offense was efficient as they got 333 total yards in the game. They at least did what they had to win the game. Kirk Cousins hit 29 of 47 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns to Jordan Addison and Alexander Mattison. Minnesota's running game wouldn't be used a lot as their leading rusher was Alexander Mattison with 26 yards rushing. Certainly more balanced offense should be in their playbook the rest of the way. The Vikings total offense hit 329 total yards with 70 of the yards coming from the ground. For the Chiefs, they survive a close game and get to 4-1. For the Vikings, they drop to 1-4 and are also 1-4 in one-score games this season.

Next week: 
Kansas City: vs Denver (Thursday night)
Minnesota: @ Chicago

TW: 5-6; CV: 5-6 

NY Jets 31, Denver 21: TW: Jets; CV: Jets

The Jets got some measure of revenge against Sean Payton's Broncos in Denver. Zach Wilson wouldn't do a lot in this game as he hit 19 of 26 passes for 199 yards with an interception. Breece Hall scored the Jets lone touchdown in the 3rd quarter on the Jets first drive in the 2nd half. The drive lasted only 10 seconds with a 72-yard run. Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein hit five field goals in the game. New York's Quinnen Williams got a fumble on a Russell Wilson fumble that was ran back by Bryce Hall for a 39-yard fumble-six. Another miscue for the Broncos was a safety that happened on a Russell Wilson pass that was incomplete that was ruled Intentional Grounding. Jaleel McLaughlin had 68 yards rushing on nine carries. Denver put up 308 total yards in the game. The game was originally the marquee game but the Aaron Rodgers injury put that to bed. The game was known for Sean Payton's controversial take on Nathaniel Hackett's coaching job in 2022. Safe to say it seems that the comment from Payton is blowing back on him big time. For the Jets, they improve to 2-3 with 3rd place in the AFC East. For the Broncos, it is another loss for 2023 as they fall to 1-4. 

Next week: 
NY Jets: vs Philadelphia
Denver: @ Kansas City (Thursday night)

TW: 6-6; CV: 6-6

Dallas 10, San Francisco 42: TW: 49ers; CV: Cowboys

It wasn't a close one in Santa Clara. Dak Prescott hit 14 of 24 passes for 153 yards with a touchdown pass to Kavontae Turpin in the 2nd quarter. The issues for the Cowboys came from the turnovers as Prescott threw three passes to guys in red jerseys. There was also a fumble lost by Dallas leading to the Cowboys grand total of four turnovers. With the deficit in points the Cowboys running game wouldn't get a lot of yardage. Tony Pollard was the leading rusher with 29 yards. The Cowboys offense really wouldn't get going at all this game as they put up a paltry 197 total yards. Might've been because of that Nick Bosa guy running free and making fun of Dak Prescott. Brock Purdy continued his stellar start to his career with 17 of 24 passes for 252 yards with four touchdown passes. Kyle Juszczyk caught one touchdown pass while George Kittle scored three touchdowns for the Niners. Jordan Mason rushed for 69 yards (heheh nice) with a touchdown run in the game. Christian McCaffrey got 51 yards rushing with a touchdown of his own in the game. San Francisco's offense didn't miss a beat as they got to 421 total yards. If there was a blemish it would be the lost fumble that the Niners gave up in the 1st quarter. For the Cowboys, they drop to 3-2 with some lost position in the NFC East. For the Niners, they move to 5-0 and stay with the Eagles as the only unbeaten teams in the NFL. 

Next week:
Dallas: @ LA Chargers (Monday night)
San Francisco: @ Cleveland

TW: 7-6; CV: 6-7

Green Bay 13, Las Vegas 17: TW: Packers; CV: Packers

The Packers fell short of a win in Vegas. Jordan Love would not have a great game as the passer hit 16 of 30 passes for 182 yards with three interceptions. Green Bay's lone touchdown came on an AJ Dillon run up the middle in the 3rd quarter that would tie the game at 10. AJ Dillon finished the game with 76 yards. Jordan Love rushed for 37 yards in the game. Green Bay's offense would outpace the Raiders but they wouldn't get much further than that with 285 total yards. Jimmy Garoppolo would make his return for this game. The passer hit 22 of 31 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers with an interception as well. Josh Jacobs would also get the other touchdown for the Raiders that proved to be the score that gave the Raiders the win in the 4th quarter. Jacobs would also get 69 yards rushing. Las Vegas got their offense to 279 total yards. For the Packers, they drop to 2-3 in the season. For the Raiders, they break out of a three-game losing streak and got to a 2-3 record. 

Next week:
Green Bay: Bye
Las Vegas: vs New England

TW: 7-7; CV: 6-8

Records

Cardinal Viking:

2023: 
Week 1: 10-6

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 13-3
Week 5: 6-8

Total: 47-31

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1
2022: 157-112-2

My record: 

2023:
Week 1: 9-7

Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 11-5

Week 4: 14-2

Week 5: 7-7

Total: 52-26

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

2021: 173-98-1
2022: 166-103-2

See you all for the Week 6 Picks post on Wednesday/Thursday. Enjoy your week!

-Tom

Rest in Peace Dick Butkus
(1942-2023)