NFL Week 5 Recap: Legends Pass — Purdy, 49ers Pulverize Cowboys

With the passing of NFL legends Russ Francis and Dick Butkus casting a shadow over the league this week, fans were in need of some distraction. And that diversion came in the form of a slate of games that produced a bushel of WTF moments and "did not see that one coming" results. 

For fans and pundits alike, Week 5 either clarified or muddied the picture as to where some teams stood:

—The Dallas-San Francisco Sunday night clash was supposed to answer questions about where the Cowboys stand among the NFC’s best. It did.

—The Bills-Jags matchup in London would confirm Buffalo’s emergence as the AFC’s top team. It didn’t.

—The Patriots would either bounce back as cornered Bill Belichick teams always do or firmly find themselves in an imperial decline worthy of Gibbon (Let’s just say that, after this Week 5 game, expect Visigoths and Vandals to be tailgaiting in Vegas next week.)

Here's a closer look at what transpired:  

WEEK 5 RECAP

Week 5 byes: Seattle, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers

Los Vegas 17, Green Bay 13 (MNF): The Raiders (2-3) overcame a shaky game from their starting QB and even shakier decision-making by their head coach to pull off the victory in Vegas. The leaping game-ending interception by Amik Robertson notwithstanding, the star of the night was Vegas’ Maxx Crosby, who showed a national viewership that the second “x” might stand for extreme energy. The Pro Bowl DE recorded a sack and four tackles for loss and was such a game-wrecker that he was later spotted overturning craps tables at the MGM Grand. As the score might suggest, the game will not be remembered for its quarterback play. Jordan Love continued his post-New Orleans-rally funk, completing barely more than half his throws, and serving up three interceptions, two to LB Robert Spillane.

The Raiders defense came into the game with only one turnover on the season. Monday night they had three thefts, all courtesy of the Packers QB. But Love’s counterpart on the Raiders was not much better. Whether making a poor read that resulted in a pick or missing a wide-open receiver, Jimmy Garoppolo almost wilted the Packers to their brief second-half lead. To Jimmy G’s credit, he started finding Davante Adams, held to one catch before nabbing three on a late third-quarter drive that put Vegas back on top to stay.

For the second time this season, some curious last-minute game management by the Raiders almost proved costly. Josh McDaniels’ decision to kick a field goal — a 53-yarder that kicker Daniel Carlson clanked off the upright — on 4th-and-very short would have been dissected relentlessly this week had Robertson's victory-sealing heroics not rescued him.

San Francisco 42, Dallas 10 (Sunday night): We can already see determined detractors of Brock Purdy, in a full scramble drill, trying to redefine “system quarterback” so as to neatly rationalize away yet another top-shelf effort by the second-year QB, this one a brilliant 17-of-24 four-touchdown performance against one of the league's elite defenses.

The Niners remain undefeated, and their offense once again came out and staked a claim on its opening drive — the fourth of five games this season in which they took their first possession in for a touchdown. (They kicked a field goal in the fifth game.) On defense, San Francisco LB Fred Warner was everywhere, causing a fumble, corraling an interception, and generally wreaking heat-seeking havoc. On defense for Dallas, Micah Parsons (zero tackles, one QB hurry) was neutralized by blocking schemes that constantly accounted for him. (Parsons left the game midway through the fourth quarter with a rib injury. No word on its extent.) In the second half, Dak Prescott might have had the most concerning stretch of his career, throwing three interceptions and looking generally clueless. We still think the Niners defense can be had, but, obviously, this was not the offense to have it. 

We also think such a decisive loss has Dallas — at least its fans if not players — questioning its place in the NFL’s hierarchy, which seemed certain after destructive wins over the Giants, Jets, and Patriots. But those teams are either dreadful or seriously flawed. The Sunday night result was as methodical a beatdown as Dallas will likely experience all year, and the outcome clearly leaves the Eagles and San Francisco alone at the peak of the conference, with Detroit surpassing the Cowboys. 

Chicago 40, Washington 20: Just as we so confidently predicted, the Bears fight off the disappointment of blowing a big lead at home and go on the road to blast the Commanders (not buying it?). This was as impressive a get-off-the-mat performance as you’ll likely see this year — as if the spirit of the recently departed Bears legend Butkus showed up wearing eye black, "chewing cement and spitting out sidewalk," to give the most rousing pregame speech imaginable.

Justin Fields (four TD passes) was oftentimes terrific, but the night belonged to Butkus’ memory and to ex-Carolina Panther WR D.J. Moore, who absolutely scalded Washington’s secondary for 230 yards on eight catches, three of which reached the end zone. Washington QB Sam Howell posted a stat line that would have made 1984 Dan Marino proud but a lot of his 388 passing yards were window dressing; Chicago built a big lead early, thereby making Washington’s offense one-dimensional — Howell’s 19 rushing yards led the team. 

Jacksonville 25, Buffalo 20: A Jacksonville team that seemed in disarray after its loss to Houston now sits atop the AFC South. Apparently that home-away-from-home home-field advantage packed more of a punch than we thought. The Jaguars (3-2), playing in London for the second straight week, enjoyed a huge day from RB Travis Etienne, Jr. (136 yards rushing) and leave the UK undefeated for the year. After a thoroughly impressive win over Miami last week, Buffalo could not take that success international. The Bills’ defense welcomed the return of Von Miller but, as a unit, could not get off the field Sunday — Jacksonville converted 10-of-18 third downs — and relinquished 474 yards to the Jags offense.

Of huge concern for Buffalo is the physical condition of LB Matt Milano, who may have suffered a season-ending leg injury. (With Tre’Davious White’s Achilles tear, the Bills have lost two Pro Bowl defenders in as many weeks.) On the other side of the ball, Buffalo’s passing game was elite: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Gabe Davis all put up hefty numbers. But the running game, which had shown signs of improvement, took a big step backwards. Just how invisible was the ground game? QB Josh was Buffalo’s leading rusher with 14 yards. That, coupled with a suddenly injury-plagued defense that could not stop Jacksonville from moving the chains, cost Buffalo this game and could be a bad sign for the Bills in the weeks ahead.  

Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 10: That the Steelers find themselves division leaders five games in is kind of remarkable, since Sunday’s game started out as so many have this year for them — the offense under QB Kenny Pickett looking as flat as a glass of beer left in the sun. The Ravens held a seven-point lead before a blocked punt by Pittsburgh’s Miles Killebrew for a safety triggered a series of Ravens fourth-quarter miscues. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson contributed two of them — throwing an end-zone interception with the game tied (courtesy of rookie corner Joey Porter, Jr.), and losing the ball on a strip sack the possession after QB Pickett, who played a solid game returning from last week's knee injury, hit George Pickens on a 41-yard TD pass to put the Steelers up 17-10. Pickens (six catches, 130 yards) continues to ascend.

A disappointing performance for Baltimore and Jackson, who looked quite impressive in the road win over Cleveland, and next week have to play their third straight road game (at Titans).

Miami 31, New York Giants 16: One of the few predictions we nailed, but it did not turn out as lopsided as we anticipated, or as many Giants’ fans feared. This game contained New York’s signature highlight of what has been a dreadful season: Jason Pinnock’s 102-yard interception return before halftime that brought New York (1-4) to within 14-10.

But as it has been for other teams on its 2023 rampage, Miami’s speed and quick-strike capability proved too much for New York. WR Tyreke Hill (181 yards receiving, one TD) had a huge afternoon, and RB De’Von Achane (76-yard TD run) added another big-play performance to his eye-popping rookie campaign, rushing for 151 yards on 11 carries (a ridiculous 13.7 yards per carry). However, Achane is expected to miss multiple games because of a knee injury Sunday. The 4-1 start for Miami is its best since 2003. For the reeling Giants, the equally reeling Daniel Jones did what he could. But he again was besieged from all sides (the Giants allowed seven sacks), before a neck injury sidelined early in the fourth quarter (replaced by Tyrod Taylor).

Things do not get any easier for New York, who now have to travel to Buffalo to play a Bills team coming off a frustrating loss. 

Detroit 42, Carolina 17: Though it comes against a winless team, this may Detroit’s most impressive win since its season-opening triumph at KC. Coming off 10 days of rest following a key win over division-rival Green Bay, the Lions (4-1) were ripe for a flat performance. Instead, they dominated, led by opportunistic defense that forced three turnovers that led to 21 Detroit points. RB David Montgomery had his second straight 100+-yard game (109 yards on 19 carries) and impressive rookie TE Sam LaPorta caught two of Jared Goff’s three TD passes. For winless Carolina, attention continues to focus on Bryce Young’s development, and considering he was going up against a tenacious Detroit defense, the rookie QB had his moments, throwing for three scores. 

Atlanta 21, Houston 19: Our latest Cinderella lost her slipper. Placekicker Younghoe Koo knocked through a last-second 37-yard field goal as the Falcons (3-2) ended a two-game skid, topping a Texans (2-3) team that, with two impressive recent wins, was developing into a rather gripping storyline. Houston's rookie QB C.J. Stroud had another solid game. He came up big in the clutch, hitting TE Dalton Schultz in the end zone to give Houston the lead with under two minutes left.

But Desmond Ridder showed up even bigger when it mattered, executing the two-minute offense and setting up Koo’s game-winner. We’ve been quick to question Ridder’s hold on the starting QB job in Atlanta but he was stellar against the Texans, and his play in crunch time is in keeping with a surprising pattern: the QB has four game-winning drives in just nine NFL starts, a remarkable ratio no matter what one thinks of his long-term prospects. 

New Orleans 34, New England 0: This might be the most shocking result of the day — not that the Saints (3-2) won, but the Patriots (1-4), who were coming off a spanking in Dallas, put up such a feeble effort. Phrases including “the first time," “worst ever,” and "rock bottom," were repeatedly used in postgame reporting to contextualize the depths to which the Patriots have fallen: the worst shutout loss (and second-largest loss overall) in Bill Belichick’s coaching history, the worst home loss of his career, the first back-to-back 30-point-plus losses for New England in 53 years, and the greatest point differential in two consecutive losses (-69). Mac Jones continues to struggle — a wobbler intercepted and returned by Tyrann Mathieu for a Saints score was as unsightly as it gets — and was replaced for a second straight week. The only mantle Jones now seems capable of taking from Tom Brady is the one he’d have to remove from above the GOAT’s fireplace.

But Jones (or his replacement) needs help. The Patriots' running game (45 yards) ain’t getting it done. For the Saints (3-2), we want to say this decisive road win changes the complexion of their season. But the offense (304 total yards) is still a work in progress. Derek Carr had just 186 yards passing but still likely had his best game of the season, throwing two TDs. The New Orleans defense, which had been shaky over the last five quarters before Sunday, reasserted itself, holding down New England’s running game and locking down the Pats on third down (1-of-14 on third-down conversions).

Next week, New England plays the Raiders. We imagine that any pregame conversation between Belichick and Raiders coach Josh McDaniels can ONLY be about the good ole days. 

Indianapolis 23, Tennessee 16: Zach Moss had 165 yards rushing as the Colts (3-2) won the time-of-possession battle over Derrick Henry and the Titans. Moss’ production made it easier for Indy to establish a balanced attack, with QBs Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson combining for a 20-of-32, 253-yard afternoon.

Richardson exited the game with what was initially diagnosed as an AC-joint sprain in his throwing shoulder — the third time the rookie QB has had to leave a game this season because of injury. The Titans’ Ryan Tannehill had a solid day (264 yards passing), but Derrick Henry was kept in check. Typically, the number of carries the power back gets in a game is a barometer of how that game is going for Tennessee (2-3). Henry had just 13 carries for 43 yards. ’Nuff said.

New York Jets 31, Denver 21: The Jets (2-3) are showing us something; since the first quarter of last week’s close loss to Kansas City, they have played pretty good football, and going into Denver and taking the game from a Broncos team coming off a big comeback win is no mean feat. QB Zach Wilson (19-of-26, 199 yards) showed signs of stabilizing, but the key for the Jets in getting the road win was getting their dormant running game going. RB Breece Hall rushed for a career-best 177 yards, his second 100+-yard game of the season. His 127-yard effort against Buffalo in the season opener was the other — and that was the only other Jets win. (See a pattern?) Hall’s biggest play was a 72-yard TD run to give the Jets the lead at the start of the second half.

For Denver (1-4), this could have been a trap game, possibly looking ahead to next week’s matchup against Kansas City. In any case, the loss is a bitter pill for Sean Payton — and a sweet elixir for Jets OC Nathanial Hackett, whose disastrous head coaching stint last year in Denver was in the crosshairs of a number of critics, foremost among them...Sean Payton. Hall’s huge day is also a reminder to Payton of just how big a problem his defense is. 

Cincinnati 34, Arizona 20: Back in August, looking at the schedule, this score would have made sense. Today, it doesn't. Give credit to the Bengals (2-3) for saving their season, even if temporarily. Joe Burrow looked better physically than he has in weeks, and the Cincy offense returned to its usual explosive self, particularly on Burrow's big-time 63-yard rainbow hookup with Ja’Marr Chase early in the third quarter. Arizona (1-4) looked today, for the first time this season really, like the team everyone thought would be the modern NFL’s answer to the ’62 Mets. QB Joshua Dobbs (15-of-32, 166 yards) had trouble finding a rhythm. His strength this year has been playing error-free football.

Today, that ended with two interceptions — his first INTs of the season. For the Bengals, the remainder of the month looks like this: Seattle, bye, San Francisco. So you can not overstate how big this win was for them.

Kansas City 27, Minnesota 20: Despite another lurching, penalty-marred (10) effort, the Chiefs (4-1) again showed their championship DNA. They again made winning plays when they needed to, as evidenced by Mahomes and Co. converting 9-of-15 third-down conversions. Mahomes threw two TDs and his battery mate Travis Kelce had 10 catches for 67 yards and a TD that gave the Chiefs a 27-13 lead late in the third.

On defense, Kansas City did a marvelous job of limiting Justin Jefferson, holding the great receiver to just three catches and 28 yards. For its part, Minnesota continued its diabolical trend of first-quarter turnovers, fumbling on its opening drive — on the first play, no less — which led to the Chiefs’ initial touchdown. Minnesota mostly matched the Chiefs in total yards but they, in what has a been season-long theme completely opposite of 2022, could not make the plays when they needed to. At this point, with the Vikings at 1-4, the big numbers Cousins (284 yards, two TDs) and the offense seem to put up weekly are pretty much empty calories.

A not-so-insignificant side note: the regular-season win was the 251st of Kansas City coach Andy Reid's career, passing Tom Landry for fourth all-time.

Philadelphia 23, Los Angeles Rams 14: The Eagles (5-0) remain unbeaten and are, with the 49ers, the class of the NFC. They showcased their power on both sides of the ball in a game that was not as close as the score suggests. On offense, Philadelphia racked up 28 first downs (the Rams, 17), outgained Los Angeles 458 yards to 249, and went a very impressive 13-of-18 on third-down conversions.

Individually, Jalen Hurts had a splendid dual-threat game, throwing for 303 yards and rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. A.J. Brown (127 yards receiving) had another terrific afternoon, as did TE Dallas Dallas Goedert, who hauled in eight passes for 117 yards and Hurts’ lone touchdown throw.

The Rams, coming off a big road win in Indy, had thoughts of getting above .500 and staying within striking distance of Seattle and San Francisco in the NFC West. But even with the brilliant return of Cooper Kupp (eight catches, 118 yards receiving) and another strong outing from rookie Puka Nacua (seven catches), and even though they surprisingly committed no turnovers, the Rams were outclassed. They needed to run the ball but managed just 54 yards, which made QB Matthew Stafford a sitting target for a Philadelphia pass rush that notched four sacks.

For the Eagles, it is the first time in franchise history that they have started 5-0 in back-to-back seasons.