what to look for in every week 5 matchup
By Kevin Bunk
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Quarterback Baker Mayfield
buccaneers @ falcons
(tnf)
BUCCANEERS (3-1) - run defense
This one is simple. The Buccaneers defense overall has been good, but they’re prone to getting gashed on the ground. They’ve allowed 110+ yards rushing in each game so far, and face a two headed monster in the Atlanta backfield. Their only run support in their secondary comes from Antoine Winfield Jr., who is likely out on Thursday. Todd Bowles will need to have some unusual heroes in the run game step up on primetime.
FALCONS (2-2) - zac robinson
Everybody was under the impression that the Falcons coaching change would result in their top picks - London, Pitts and Bijan Robinson - finally breaking out. To this point, even with Kirk Cousins, it’s been relatively the same song and dance. Against the top team in their division, with a chance to move into first place, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will take no half measures. Let’s see if that means using Robinson or giving the ball to Tyler Allgeier, as well as if we see any attempt to get Pitts the ball in space.
VIKINGS WIDE RECEIVER JUSTIN JEFFERSON
JETS @ VIKINGS
(9:30 AM EST, LONDON GAME)
JETS (2-2) - OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Aaron Rodgers was hit 14 times in week 4, he’s even on this week’s injury report despite being a full participant. Additionally, Breece Hall was met behind the line of scrimmage on 7 of his 10 carries. Veteran Left Tackle Tyron Smith has allowed three sacks through the team’s first four games, and rookie right tackle Olu Fashanu struggled in place of Morgan Moses this past week. Minnesota’s defense will throw everything they have at New York’s line just as the Broncos did last week.
VIKINGS (4-0) - SECONDARY
The Vikings have the league’s worst pass defense. They’re the only team to have allowed more than 1,200 yards through the air this season. The positive for Minnesota they sit atop the league in interceptions with 8. This defense forces turnovers as well as any. Aaron Rodgers is the only remaining quarterback with zero turnover worthy throws. The Vikings defense can’t let the 4x MVP move the ball with ease.
PANTHERS @ BEARS
(1:00 EST)
PANTHERS (1-3) - secondary
Carolina has sat in the middle of the league in pass defense - but that needs context. The first two weeks of the season with Bryce Young, the Panthers never had a chance during their games to win. With Dalton, teams are forced to throw. They had their worst week of pass defense last week against the Bengals, and can’t let Caleb Williams have his breakout game here. We’ll find out just how real their defense is this week.
BEARS (2-2) - run game
Shane Waldron has been pass heavy, thrusting Caleb Williams into an air raid offense that you’d expect to see a team run in the pro bowl while down 50 points. They arguably have the worst running game in the NFL, they’re 31st in YPC and 29th in total yards. This has negated any chances at taking the heat off of the number one pick, who is behind a suspect offensive line. Something has to give this week against a Panthers team that is average at best against the run.
LAMAR JACKSON AGAINST THE BENGALS
RAVENS @ BENGALS
(1:00 EST)
RAVENS (2-2) - tight ends
What is going on with the Baltimore tight ends? After the season opener in Kansas City, football fans all thought the Ravens had a two headed monster at tight end, but they’ve hit a complete wall these last two weeks. We know the tight ends are good, don’t get me wrong. Likely and Andrews are both pro bowl caliber guys, but their lack of production is puzzling. Andrews doesn’t even seem to be in a great rhythm as a receiver, which was displayed with a wide open drop on a 10 yard pass over the middle of the field against Buffalo on Sunday. These guys are definitely top 20 tight ends, but this is a week for them to produce against a Bengals team that can’t defend the passing attack.
BENGALS (1-3) - tee higgins
Higgins missed the first two weeks, and has been average since returning. He has 9 receptions for 99 yards in two games, but he’ll need to have his 2024 breakout game here against Baltimore if the Bengals want to win. Marlon Humphrey and co. have done an outstanding job this year taking away top receivers. Higgins will need to be that second number one receiver that he’s shown he can be in order to take the pressure off of Jamarr Chase, and ultimately Joe Burrow as well.
PATRIOTS @ DOLPHINS
(1:00 EST)
PATRIOTS (1-3) - OFFENSIVE LINE
New England is without David Andrews this week. Andrews is arguably their most important lineman in one of the league’s worst units. The Patriots have the worst passing game in the NFL, with only 558 yards in 4 games. Trust me - that number isn’t low because they have a monstrous rushing attack. They have just over 500 rushing yards and 2 TD’s on the ground through 4 games, both rank in the bottom half of the league. This is the most winnable game they’ll have all year, and the line will need to hold up if they want 10+ points against an underrated Miami defense.
DOLPHINS (1-3) - MIKE MCDANIEL
For the first time in his coaching tenure, we saw some tension on the sideline. McDaniel’s franchise player, Tyreek Hill, had reached his breaking point directly behind the third year head coach. Even in a loss, this offense needs to score some points against the lowly Patriots. If not, things could unravel very quick.
WASHINTON QUARTERBACK JAYDEN DANIELS
BROWNS @ COMMANDERS
(1:00 EST)
BROWNS (1-3) - kevin stefanski
On the BTO Sunday Recap, I discussed Kevin Stefanski’s job security with Michael Merlo. A large group of Browns fans seem to think the blame that is nationally placed on Deshaun Watson should be redirected to the head coach and playcaller. Stefanski, a 2x coach of the year, needs to put up points in this game. The Commanders boast one of the league’s top offenses - and the league’s most efficient one. No team has punted less than the Commanders, who score some sort of points on nearly all of their drives. The Browns offense needs to stay on the field, so that Washington’s is off of it.
COMMANDERS (3-1) - fourth down offense
Dan Quinn hasn’t been shy about his aggressive nature as a head coach. The team is 6/6 on 4th downs this season, and that’s played a crucial role in their success. Of course, failing to convert on 4th down is one of the sports greatest momentum changers. Against a loaded Browns defense, the Commanders will have to be wise when playing their usual risks. It could come back to bite them in a game against a top defense, and bottom offense.
COLTS @ JAGUARS
(1:00 EST).
COLTS (2-2) - Quarterback
Joe Flacco has become a fun cult hero, but Indianapolis would’ve beat Pittsburgh last week if Richardson remained in the game. It was far and away his best work in 2024, and they need to see the same guy on display this week against the NFL’s only remaining winless team. If Richardson can’t go Sunday (did not practice Wednesday) the Colts still need to get good production out of Joe Flacco while Jonathon Taylor is out. Shane Steichen and his team’s success hinges on the production of the quarterback’s play, as we frequently saw last year with Gardner Minshew.
JAGUARS (0-4) - everyone
This team has been the league’s biggest disaster through four weeks. Lucky for them, nobody cares anymore. When Jacksonville stinks - no one cares. There isn’t a player on this team that looks like they’re even practicing during the week. The Colts are a beatable opponent with uncertainty at quarterback this week. We are on a week to week “Doug Pederson Job Watch” right now, and an 0-5 start could put the nails in the coffin.
TEXANS QUARTERBACK C.J. STROUD
BILLS @ TEXANS
(1:00 EST)
BILLS (3-1) - keon coleman
This game has a receiver trend. On Sunday night, the Bills couldn’t keep up with the Ravens for a variety of reasons. I thought the most glaring of them was their lack of talent at the receiver position. I’d argue their two best receivers are Dalton Kincaid and James Cook. That’s a problem considering they’re a running back and above average tight end. Josh Allen can’t be superman every week, Keon Coleman needs to continue to build chemistry with the star quarterback and show Bills fans that they made the right move trading Diggs and drafting him.
TEXANS (3-1) - stefon diggs
This isn’t necessarily what the Texans need to see on Sunday, but it’s exactly what fans will follow. Diggs plays his first game against his former team this week, and they haven’t minced words about their addition by subtraction feeling in terms of trading him. Of course the Pro Bowl wide receiver is once again putting out very good production, 25 receptions 233 yards and 2 touchdowns is the line so far for Diggs this year. It’ll be fascinating to see how he interacts with former teammates on the field this week.
RAIDERS @ BRONCOS
(4:05 EST)
RAIDERS (2-2) - Antonio pierce
The best player on the Raiders offense, and the biggest national star on their team, requested a trade this week and definitely will not be present on Sunday. At 2-2, I don’t think this will harm the Raiders too much. Most of the room seems to rally behind Antonio Pierce, and the team still has enough playmakers on both sides of the ball to contribute. This is the second week in a row I’ve chosen Pierce, but after a week of Adams drama and Antonio Pierce endorsing Adams’ inevitable departure through Instagram likes, he needs to keep the main thing the main thing and win another game this week.
BRONCOS (2-2) - javonte williams
Denver is coming off the worst quarterbacked win in NFL history. The true bright spot in their offense was Javonte Williams showing some prowess in the run game. He’ll need to overcome a strong front seven for the Raiders for his team to move the chains. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders when it comes to assisting his rookie quarterback.
49ERS LINEBACKER FRED WARNER
CARDINALS @ 49ERS
(4:05 EST)
CARDINALS (1-3) - special teams
The Cardinals lead the league in points on special teams this season. They’ve taken advantage of the new dynamic kickoff format as seen in week 1 against the Bills. Based on their last two weeks, they’ll struggle to go blow for blow with the 49ers offense. Return potential aside, the Cards need to use special teams to control field position on the road in San Francisco.
49ERS (2-2) - front 7/ fred warner
Niners fans will back me up when I say they’ve struggled with Kyler Murray more than any other quarterback in the division, and maybe even the conference. The teams defensive front 7 will be challenged not only by Murray, but James Conner and Trey McBride. This trio is a handful between the hashes and on the outside, a good duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson will keep the secondary occupied. It’s on the front 7 and the league’s top linebacker to make sure Kyler Murray is contained.
PACKERS @ RAMS
(4:25 EST)
PACKERS (2-2) - JORDAN LOVE
Anyone who knows me is aware of my absolute certainty that Jordan Love is a franchise quarterback. He’s 0-2 so far this year though, and had some ugly turnovers last week against the Vikings. In week 5, he’ll get to go on the road against a Rams team that is less than impressive, but good enough to win. Packers fans need to see the quarterback that was revealed over the second half of last season, which was a large enough sample size to be confident that he’ll show up this week.
RAMS (1-3) - jared verse
The first round pick and Florida State standout has quietly been another home run pick for the Rams. He’s been a game wrecking presence on the edge despite having just one sack in four games. The Packers will present a challenge as they possess one of the league’s most well oiled offensive lines. I’ll be watching to see how Verse handles a strong opponent, and see if he can continue to impress during his rookie campaign. They’ll need him to live in the Packers backfield to slow down what Matt LaFleur throws at them, as well as force Jordan Love into some turnovers.
SEAHAWKS WIDE RECEIVER JACKSON SMITH-NJIGBA
GIANTS @ SEAHAWKS
(4:25 EST)
GIANTS (1-3) - DEONTE BANKS
The former Maryland CB turned first round pick had a very promising rookie season. He earned the slogan “Banks closed on Sundays” for his lockdown play. This year, you could call him 7/11, as it seems receivers are ALWAYS open. This week, he’s tasked with being matched up with one of the Seahawks star wideouts on every single play. Geno Smith will try and take advantage of Banks early. He needs to have a resurgence game.
SEAHAWKS (3-1) - kenneth walker III
After missing two games, Walker impressed in the Seahawks shootout affair in Detroit on Monday nigh. With 80 yards on 12 carries along with a touchdown, Walker seemed to be ready to return as the bell cow for Seattle. He’s played just two games, but has 187 yards on 32 carries (5.7 ypc), and has found the endzone four times. He’ll set the tone for the Seahawks offense on Sunday.
STEELERS QUARTERBACK JUSTIN FIELDS
COWBOYS @ STEELERS
(SNF)
COWBOYS (2-2) - tyler guyton
After a disastrous performance last week on Thursday Night Football, the rookie left tackle needs a bounce back in another primetime slot. Mike Tomlin will make sure the Steelers pass rush knows about the Cowboys vulnerability at left tackle. He can’t be the reason for another lackluster offensive game.
STEELERS (3-1) - the lamb plan
There isn’t a player on the Cowboys offense that threatens a defense besides Cedee Lamb. However, no wideout keeps a defensive coach up at night more than Lamb. When Dallas wins, Lamb always contributes. When Dallas loses, Lamb still often contributes. When Lamb himself doesn’t contribute - Dallas doesn’t win. Against the league’s top defensive coach, i’m curious to see how they try and silence Lamb.
CHIEFS TIGHT END TRAVIS KELCE
SAINTS @ CHIEFS
(MNF)
SAINTS (2-2) - chris olave
Olave has 20 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown through the first four weeks. The Saints offense has moved the ball with a slough of weapons such as Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed. I think primetime against the undefeated, 2x defending champs is a great place for Olave to finally reintroduce himself as a receiver who is better than just good.
CHIEFS (4-0) - Kareem hunt
The Chiefs running back looked solid as he made his second stint debut. Kansas City is down Isaiah Pacheco, Marquise Brown and now Rashee Rice. Many people look towards Xavier Worthy, the fastest man in the NFL, but a strong run game with Hunt will prove to be much more effective - they’ll want to move the ball while keeping the Saints offense on the sidelines.
