NFL Week 5 Recap
Tampa Bay lost their game against the Atlanta Falcons 30-36. (Photo by Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
By John Towey, Staff Writer
Week 5 of the NFL saw several intense divisional games, the first international game of the year and the most clutch special teams play this season. Like last week, the Kansas City Chiefs lead the AFC with a record of 5-0 and the Minnesota Vikings lead the NFC with a record of 5-0.
Falcons-Buccaneers Shootout
Week 5 kicked off with a back-and-forth game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons that featured great offensive play from both teams. Kirk Cousins had a career game, throwing for 509 yards and four touchdowns. Baker Mayfield also had a strong passing game and threw for three touchdowns.
The game was back and forth with six lead changes. The Falcons looked like they were about to lose the game but shut down the Buccaneer’s run game and got the ball back with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter. They went into field goal range with no timeouts and spiked the ball with two seconds left. Kicker Younghoe Koo made the 52-yard field goal and sent the game to overtime.
The Falcons won the coin toss and drove down the field to score a touchdown and won 36-30. Due to overtime rules, the Buccaneers did not get a possession.
Humiliating Loss Leads to Coaching Shakeup
Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos last week, the New York Jets found themselves traveling to London to face the Minnesota Vikings in a prove-it week. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked frail throughout the game and threw three interceptions, one of which was a pick-six. The Jets’ offense completely shut down against the Vikings’ dominant defense.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold fell back to earth after a series of impressive games, throwing for only 179 yards, down from 275 yards last week. The Vikings triumphed with a score of 23-17.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh was fired Tuesday morning. Reports suggest that Saleh was about to strip offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties this week. The Jets promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ublrich to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Ravens-Bengals Overtime Thriller
The Baltimore Ravens, fresh off their win over the Buffalo Bills, traveled to Cincinnati to face the 1-3 Cincinnati Bengals.
The game was another offensive shootout; Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow put up 392 passing yards and threw for five touchdowns. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also had a great game, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase continues to be one of the best in the league, he notched two touchdowns and an average of 19.3 yards per reception.
The game went to overtime and it looked like the Bengals were about to pull off their second win of the season after they recovered Jackson’s fumble. However, kicker Evan McPherson missed the 53-yard field goal. With the ball back, Baltimore running back Derrick Henry hit a 51-yard run and kicker Justin Tucker made the 24-yard field goal to win the game 41-38.
One Giant Play
The New York Giants traveled to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon. The Giants played what may have been their best game of the season so far. Their defense leads the league with 22 sacks; nose tackle Dexter Lawrence contributed three sacks on Sunday. Outside linebacker Brian Burns also recorded a sack.
Aside from a costly fumble returned for a touchdown, the Giants offense seemed to be clicking too. Head coach Brian Daboll, who many believe is on the hot seat, called an incredible game and effectively utilized his weapons while star wide receiver Malik Nabers and starting running back Devin Singletary were out. Quarterback Daniel Jones vastly improved his deep ball game, connecting with wide receiver Darius Slayton for a 30-yard touchdown.
Seattle’s offense also put up strong numbers, quarterback Geno Smith, a former Giant, passed for 284 yards and scrambled 32 yards to get in field goal range at the end of the fourth quarter.
The game came down to a 47-yard field goal attempt to tie and force overtime for Seattle. Giants linebacker Isiah Simmons was able to jump the A-gap, the space between the center and guard, to block the field goal. Special teamer Bryce Ford-Wheaton scooped the ball and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the win for the Giants 29-20.
Next week starts with a divisional matchup between the San Francisco 49ers, reeling from this week’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, at the Seahawks. Some other games that should be interesting will be the Cleveland Browns at the Philadelphia Eagles, the Detroit Lions at the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals at the Giants.
