32 Thoughts Ahead of NFL Week 5

Each Friday throughout the 2024 NFL season, we’re performing something of a leaguewide check-in, with quick-hit takes from all 32 NFL squads based on news, fodder, trends and/or results.

October has arrived and the season is no longer young. The heat is on for teams, coaches, players and execs.

Let’s jump into what’s dominating the national football conversation this week.

Buffalo Bills: As we see more and more of Arizona, Miami and Jacksonville, those Buffalo victories are looking a little less impressive. Those teams are a combined 2-10, and Baltimore embarrassed the Bills in Week 4. They have to make a statement Sunday in Houston.

Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa took plenty of heat for his performances in big moments, but, boy, are we seeing his impact now. His absence has made Tyreek Hill borderline irrelevant, and the Dolphins are one of the worst teams in the NFL.

New England Patriots: And to think they very nearly started 2-0 against Cincinnati and Seattle! This might be the worst team in the NFL now that the Panthers and Giants have recovered a bit.

New York Jets: I understand there’s frustration regarding a lack of connection between Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson thus far, but it’s not as though there hasn’t been an effort from the 40-year-old quarterback. Only eight receivers in the NFL were targeted more than Wilson in September.

Baltimore Ravens: Meet the new favorite in the AFC. The Chiefs aren’t right and Baltimore just killed the Bills, so I’m not sure there’s another option right now. Next up is a matchup with the desperate Bengals on the road.

Cincinnati Bengals: I still believe they can rebound, but this matchup with Baltimore just became a whole lot more daunting. With the Ravens back on track and a road trip featuring sneaky trap matchups with the Giants and Browns on deck, the season could be on the line for Joe Burrow and Co. on Sunday in Cincy.

Cleveland Browns: That’s now six consecutive games with 18 or fewer points, dating back to January. And the once-feared Cleveland defense has surrendered 27.2 points per game during that stretch. They’re toast.

Pittsburgh Steelers: I’m still convinced we’ll eventually see Russell Wilson, especially now that the bar has been raised following a great start for both Justin Fields and the team in general. Watch for Wilson to get some action ahead of or during a tough post-bye schedule (Washington, Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati!). Wow.

Houston Texans: Nico Collins is on pace for more than 2,000 yards. It’s early, but he’s proved last year wasn’t a fluke and reached elite wide receiver status.

Indianapolis Colts: They do find ways. A 2-2 start against Houston, Green Bay, Chicago and Pittsburgh is more than adequate. Now will they slip up in Jacksonville and/or Tennessee the next two weeks? That’ll give us a feel for what they have in them.

Jacksonville Jaguars: They appear to be spiraling, and it’s not an aberration considering they’ve now lost nine of their last 10 games. It’s hard to believe they’re laying points Sunday against the feisty Colts.

Tennessee Titans: It will become increasingly difficult to comment on this going-nowhere team and its collection of mediocre quarterbacks surrounded by a plethora of players that are either beyond their primes or never hit ’em. I guess I’m telling ya how I really feel, eh?

Denver Broncos: I actually completely believe in this defense, front to back. Ride those unders until Vegas catches up or the offense finds a semblance of a groove.

Kansas City Chiefs: A minus-four turnover margin in four games is extremely concerning, especially in combination with their injuries and pedestrian numbers from Patrick Mahomes dating back to last season. I expect it all to catch up to them eventually, even if that’s in January or February. They’ll still win this division by default.

Las Vegas Raiders: The timing on a potential request for solicitations on Davante Adams makes sense. Confirm you’re not a true contender and then bail before the deadline. I’m watching the Steelers and Jets, of course, but I’ll toss Washington out there.

Los Angeles Chargers: It feels as though the whole league is injured right now, but it also seems worse in the world of the Chargers. Maybe the bye will help, followed by games they should win in Denver and Arizona.

Dallas Cowboys: That was a win that felt a lot like a loss to the Giants in Week 4, and now they are banged up heading to Pittsburgh. Good thing the rest of the division and the elites in the NFC are all having issues.

New York Giants: I appreciate a good baptism by fire, but 52 targets in four games for a receiver who is barely 21 years old is problematic. Malik Nabers needs some relief and support.

Philadelphia Eagles: They have two weeks to fix this. A post-bye loss to Cleveland at home would likely be the beginning of the end for Nick Sirianni in Philly.

Washington Commanders: If the season ended today, that’d be pretty odd. But if it did, a 23-year-old rookie would be league MVP. Now what if they go get Jayden Daniels a new toy in Davante Adams?

Chicago Bears: It’s still a little early to make sweeping judgments regarding their offensive struggles, but I have to admit I’ve caught myself thinking about what Kliff Kingsbury might do with Caleb Williams and Co. in 2025.

Detroit Lions: Good timing for a bye. The Lions were sort of all over the map in September and could use a chance to regroup for post-bye trips to Dallas and Minnesota.

Green Bay Packers: Jayden Reed could be the answer to that No. 1 receiver question, even if he’s not your standard X or Z guy. He leads the NFC with 15.3 yards per target.

Minnesota Vikings: At the very least, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is running away with Executive of the Year.

Atlanta Falcons: We’ll see plenty of good, and bad, from everyone in this division. I expect both teams that met Thursday night to be alive and in the mix come December.

Carolina Panthers: Starting to see something potentially special in Xavier Legette. It’s not going to change their season much, but any victory counts if you’re the Panthers right about now.

New Orleans Saints: They probably aren’t as good as we saw the first two weeks, but tough breaks and injuries were factors in close losses the last two weeks. This is a middle-of-the-pack team that will hang all year in a soft division.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: We’ll see plenty of good, and bad, from everyone in this division. I expect both teams that met Thursday night to be alive and in the mix come December.

Arizona Cardinals: Showing progress without winning isn’t a totally bad thing, and their schedule could lead to more of that. More draft capital, and still on the right track. Watch for it to continue in San Francisco on Sunday.

Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp might be back soon, but that won’t save this decimated old team. Aaron Donald’s retirement marked the end of an era in Los Angeles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Matthew Stafford’s days with the Rams are now numbered.

San Francisco 49ers: They have to get what they can from this part of the schedule, because after Arizona at home on Sunday it’s at Seattle, Kansas City, Dallas, at Tampa Bay, Seattle, at Green Bay, at Buffalo, Chicago, the Rams, at Miami and Detroit before they’re in Arizona to wrap up the season. That’s a task.

Seattle Seahawks: I don’t know, man. Did the entire league really miss something with Geno Smith for a decade? Last year wasn’t great, but this start combined with a shocking 2022 makes you think. Guy turns 34 in a few days and the samples are still small, so I need to see more when they play San Francisco, Atlanta and Buffalo in October.