Another week, another full slate of NFL action nearly in the books. And Week 5 has had no shortage of drama up to this point, with Aaron Rodgers falling victim to his old rivals overseas, a surprise NFC contender remaining undefeated, and Jayden Daniels putting on another big-play clinic as a rookie.
Here are some of Week 5’s biggest winners and losers:
Winner: The NFC afterthoughts
Few expected the Arizona Cardinals to give the San Francisco 49ers much trouble, and for a while Sunday, Kyle Shanahan’s superior squad seemed just that: superior. Then the wheels started falling off, from a Jordan Mason fumble to a collapsed Brock Purdy pocket, and before you know it, the scurrying Kyler Murray helped Arizona snap a two-game slide to shake up the West. Meanwhile, the New York Giants survived a Seattle Seahawks comeback bid with a dramatic field-goal-block touchdown return, pulling Daniel Jones and Co. within one game of a .500 mark in the NFC East.
Loser: The NFC West ‘heavyweights’
What’s up with the 49ers? Purdy has been good, Mason has exceeded expectations, and yet Shanahan’s reigning conference champions are now 2-3, despite a +20 point differential. Red-zone and kicker woes are a big culprit. And the Niners aren’t alone in their troubles. The Los Angeles Rams, who went on a surprise playoff run in 2023, are now 1-4 after an erratic showing against the Green Bay Packers. And the Seahawks, despite another spirited late-game push from Geno Smith, have now lost two straight after starting 3-0, allowing seven sacks in a curious day for their offensive decision-making.
Winner: Brian Flores’ head coaching prospects
On a day the New York Jets made rejuvenated old friend Sam Darnold look human, the Minnesota Vikings still got the better end of a defensive slugfest in London, with Flores’ ever-versatile unit confusing, pressuring and repeatedly picking off Aaron Rodgers. Andrew Van Ginkel is like a…
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Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-10-07 00:15:15
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