One thing we learned about each NFL team in Week 5 of 2021 season: Bills are now the AFC front-runners

Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season is formally within the books. The Payments routed the Chiefs. The Chargers survived the Browns. And that was only a fraction of the motion. Sixteen groups logged wins. Sixteen others fell quick.

However what did we study every of the 32 after one other week of motion? We’re so glad you requested. As Week 6 attracts close to, we have a look under at one factor we took away from every group due to the newest weekend of soccer:

Whereas they’re nonetheless the category of the NFC West, and possibly even the NFC, Kyler Murray’s shoulder have to be monitored. The QB was favoring his throwing arm late in opposition to San Francisco — the identical one which plagued him late in 2020.

They performed the Jets, however Matt Ryan would not look like executed, in spite of everything. He is gotten higher every week underneath Arthur Smith, even when his long-term future is not essentially in Atlanta.

Moreover the very fact Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown proceed to star as one of many NFL‘s finest duos? They thrive in shut video games. 4 of their 5 matchups this yr have been determined by one rating. By no means rely them out!

They’re higher than the Chiefs. Easy? Sure. Exaggeration? No. In contrast to Kansas Metropolis, they really have a protection, and on high of that, an arsenal of weapons that may rating as rapidly as any group within the NFL.

Their protection continues to be for actual, however we might have topped Sam Darnold as a redemption story too early. The Eagles “D” has stood tall in opposition to lesser opponents, however Darnold certain regarded lesser underneath stress regardless of proudly owning an honest lead.

Opposite to common opinion, they are not lifeless within the water underneath Matt Nagy. Now, which may be true a month from now, however ugly as they take a look at instances, their run recreation and protection have earned their profitable document.

Zac Taylor may be saving his job. There’s nonetheless loads of season left, however at 3-2 after pushing the Packers to extra time, they appear worlds higher than earlier Taylor iterations in Cincy.

Regardless of dropping 40 in opposition to the Chargers and as soon as once more showcasing a killer floor recreation, they’re actually banged up. Jedrick Wills was already damage, and now Greedy Williams, Denzel Ward and Jack Conklin are nursing points.

With a sixth decide within the bag, Trevon Diggs actually is definitely worth the hype. Is anybody dropping again in protection with extra confidence proper now? How abruptly Dallas discovered itself a No. 1 cowl man.

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Keep in mind the 3-0 begin? This group is in hassle now. Teddy Bridgewater led a comeback effort in opposition to Pittsburgh, however neither their protection nor Vic Fangio is overly inspiring in a division that’ll be robust all yr.

They imagine in Dan Campbell. The gamers, that’s. Undecided how else you clarify them getting up week after week, able to take higher groups to the wire. The document is 0-5, however the buy-in has been admirable.

Aaron Rodgers alone ensures they will be close to the entrance of the NFC pack this yr, however their protection is trigger for concern, particularly with each Jaire Alexander and Kevin King now down with accidents.

Along with his second assured displaying in three weeks, Davis Mills at the very least appears the half, almost main Houston to an upset over the Patriots. With extra assist, he would possibly really provide one thing long-term underneath heart.

They completely want a killer stretch in opposition to the AFC South. They have some winnable video games developing, however Monday evening’s extra time loss is a intestine punch. Carson Wentz performed effectively, however their protection ran out of gasoline, they usually’re falling behind Tennessee.

City Meyer just isn’t on the identical web page as Trevor Lawrence. Critically, what is the take care of the postgame disconnect over QB sneaks? It is a group constantly two steps behind the opponent.

Their protection is an absolute sieve, however we kinda knew that already. Here is an underrated situation: Patrick Mahomes is taking part in approach too willy-nilly. He thrives as a backyard-style QB, clearly, however he is left far too many performs on the sector this yr.

Neglect the 3-0 begin. This appears like a so-so group, in spite of everything and that was earlier than Jon Gruden’s stunning resignation on Monday evening. Derek Carr has gotten away with chucking it up just a few instances this yr, however not in opposition to Chicago. On a day the Bears weren’t nice offensively, they have been even worse.

Justin Herbert belongs within the MVP dialog. It is a crowded area, however main 5 scoring drives on their remaining 5 possessions, to complete with almost 400 yards and 4 scores in a possible playoff preview in opposition to Cleveland? Gold.

They’re the largest (solely?) actual risk to Arizona within the NFC West. After caring for enterprise in opposition to Seattle, which is now with out Russell Wilson, they’re only one recreation behind the undefeated Cardinals.

With every passing week, they really feel extra like a lock for a high 5 decide. Even when Tua Tagovalioa returns, they provide so little offensive juice, and their banged-up protection is not any match for contenders, both.

It might not all the time be fairly, however you possibly can rely on Kirk Cousins to maintain you aggressive. Every week after he was held in test by the Browns, “You Like That?” went off in crunch time in opposition to Detroit to renew a quietly sizzling 2021 marketing campaign.

Mac Jones could also be poised, however they appear at the very least a yr away from competing. Which will have been apparent earlier than, however speak about a steep drop off, going from an in depth recreation with the Bucs to an in depth one with the Texans.

Jameis Winston is aware of the way to make performs on the fly. Sean Payton wasn’t all the time cheery with the QB throughout an up-and-down outing in opposition to Washington, however the QB a number of instances prolonged or created performs with stress in his face.

Give them credit score for preventing even after shedding linchpins like Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, however the place is the self-discipline? Their teaching stays a difficulty, as evidenced by Kadarius Toney and others crossing the road in essential conditions.

No group may be worse at beginning video games. Critically, when has Mike LaFleur’s offense regarded ready out of the gate? Zach Wilson just isn’t your entire downside, however it’s arduous for him to be the answer amid the circumstances.

Their protection deserves a ton of credit score for propelling their upset of the Panthers, however the bigger-picture focus stays on the coach: Nick Sirianni’s play-calling leaves a ton to be desired. How about serving to Jalen Hurts with runs and/or non-lateral passes?

The excellent news: Ben Roethlisberger regarded nice airing it out deep early, and their receiver depth ought to assist offset the lack of JuJu Smith-Schuster. The unhealthy: Their secondary is giving up approach too many performs contemplating the fame of the protection.

Kyle Shanahan might be itching to return to Jimmy Garoppolo. Not as a result of Trey Lance was completely responsible for San Francisco’s loss to Arizona, however as a result of the 49ers must rebound in a rush and will solely get their rookie going as a runner.

They’re gonna want a gentle hand from Geno Smith. The run recreation ought to assist offset Russell Wilson’s loss, particularly if Chris Carson can keep on the sector, however let’s be clear: Wilson’s magic can’t be changed. They want Geno to not lose video games.

He regarded completely nice routing the Dolphins down the stretch in Week 5, however Tom Brady’s obvious hand harm deserves monitoring. Like Kyler Murray, he is nonetheless an MVP candidate, however let’s have a look at if this really impacts him.

Derrick Henry continues to be their driving power. In fact, if Ryan Tannehill is not doing something, he cannot usually carry Tennessee by himself. However boy is his robust working the largest motive for the Titans really staying afloat.

Washington Soccer Staff

After 5 video games, this appears secure to say: Ron Rivera’s protection just isn’t good. You may name it Jack Del Rio’s, if you would like. Why is it so unhealthy abruptly? Blame will be unfold round. However they’re surrendering 400+ yards per recreation.

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