NFL Week 5 preview: Five things to watch out for
Jayden Daniels has been the star of the season through four weeks. Christian Petersen/Getty Images CNN —
It’s hard to believe it’s already Week 5 of the NFL season!
We have now officially reached the bye week portion of the schedule with four teams having a week off this time around: the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers and the Tennessee Titans.
This is the point in the season where we are really starting to find out who truly is going to be a contender and who may be heading for a premature end to the year.
Here are five things to know heading into Week 5.
Will the Dolphins ever get a lead?
The Miami Dolphins have not led for even one second this entire season. Amazingly, Miami does have a win as they kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Dolphins are the first team since the 2017 Cleveland Browns to not have a lead at any point in their first four games of a season. The Browns went 0-16 that year.
The good news is that the Dolphins play at the 1-3 New England Patriots this Sunday. The bad news though is that they still don’t have Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
Tyler Huntley, who the team signed off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad a week ago, may start again if Skylar Thompson hasn’t recovered from a rib injury. Huntley threw for just 96 yards in the loss to the Titans on Monday night.
The Dolphins had the No. 1 offense in the league last season, but their fans are still waiting for any semblance of that.
Tyler Huntley throws the ball during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Titans. Brennan Asplen/AP
Despite the 0-4 start, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel believes that, with one week more under his belt, Huntley is in a position to have more success against New England.
“I think (Huntley’s) a professional and there was a lot of things that were very impressive when you put into context the timeline, the language and how he’s able to do things that our guys are used to, and then there’s a lot of room for growth, as well as getting to learn him, not just from soundless tape,” McDaniel told reporters on Wednesday.
“So absolutely, positively, did he learn a ton and was this walkthrough today or was the team orchestrated stuff today absolutely better than last week? Yes, it was. I think he’s sinking his teeth into trying to not just do but have ownership, and I think all of the guys feel like they have to do a better job around him and he feels like he needs to do a better job. I feel like I need to do a better job, and I don’t see another formula for a better product than everyone trying to do their jobs better.”
All Hail the Commanders!
The surprise of the NFL season thus far has been the success of second overall pick Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.
Many thought this could be a fun offense, but this good? No one saw it coming.
What Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury did in the first four games is incredible. Washington is currently first in completion percentage (82.1%), 3rd down percentage (53.5%), points per drive (3.56) and turnovers (one).
These would be incredible numbers for Patrick Mahomes, but Daniels has put up those numbers in the first four games of his NFL career.
Daniels is an early season candidate for the NFL MVP award. Rick Scuteri/AP
After Washington’s impressive Week 4 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, Daniels spoke about his relationship with Kingsbury and the dividends it has paid already.
“It’s awesome. Me and Kliff just have that communication, that honesty,” the 23-year-old told reporters. “I’m able to go into his office and say: ‘Hey, I don’t like this.’ He’s here for it, he wants us to put us in the best spot.”
The Commanders host the Browns on Sunday. This might have been an underwhelming game last season in front of a sparse crowd. But now, Commanders fans are the most the excited they have been in years after the 3-1 start.
Big AFC showdown in Houston
The Buffalo Bills will travel to Houston to take on the Texans on Sunday. This is the only matchup of the week featuring two 3-1 teams – and it’s the Stefon Diggs revenge game.
Diggs was traded to Houston this past offseason after being an All-Pro receiver for the Bills. However, towards the end of the last campaign, Digg’s unhappiness with his situation was evident as his usage in Buffalo’s offense declined.
The change of scenery so far is working out for both sides. Diggs has 25 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown through four games with Houston. While for Buffalo QB Josh Allen, he is having an MVP-caliber season with nine total touchdowns and no interceptions, despite coming off a heavy defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.
Ahead of the Week 5 match-up with Diggs’ former team, Houston quarterback CJ Stroud spoke to the impact the 30-year-old has had on the Texans’ young wide receiver room.
“It’s been great. We kind of talked about that throughout the offseason, just how they would all help each other out by if you want to double Tank (Dell) one night, then the other dudes will go off,” Stroud told reporters on Wednesday.
Diggs will face his former team, the Bills, on Sunday. Maria Lysaker/AP
“Or you want to double so and so forth, just basically them eating off each other and really just, I think a lot of the attention has gone towards Nico (Collins) and Stef and it’s been good to see both of them kind of do well as the year has gone on. So I think they all help each other a lot.”
The result of this game could end up being very important at the end of this season when it comes to seeding in the AFC.
America’s Team heads to Steel City
Two of the NFL’s most storied and popular franchises will go head-to-head on Sunday Night Football as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys.
This rivalry goes back 64 years and includes three Super Bowl matchups: the Steelers beat the Cowboys for two of their three of championships in the ‘70s, while the Cowboys got their revenge in 1996.
Steelers fans still have the bragging rights though as they own six Super Bowl titles to the Cowboys’ five.
Ahead of their rivalry being renewed, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about the legacy of the two organizations.
“The strength of the brands is something that is to be respected, but I respect that every day, man,” Tomlin told reporters on Wednesday. “When I get out of that car in this parking lot, it’s a responsibility to represent the black and gold, and I would imagine the guys in Dallas feel the same way.
“You can’t put a price tag on standards and legacy, and both organizations have that. We walk on the ground that’s been paved for us by those that have come before us, and so we feel really blessed and honored to do so, and I’m sure that that will be reflected in the way that both teams play this weekend.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passes in the first half of the team’s 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, September 29. Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Denver Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith celebrates as a field goal attempt by New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein misses in the fourth quarter in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 29. The Broncos won 10-9. Seth Wenig/AP
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders fights off the tackle attempt by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 29. The Bengals beat the Panthers 34-24. Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans’ 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29. Eric Gay/AP
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in the end zone in Santa Clara, California, on September 29. The 49ers beat the New England Patriots 30-13. Jed Jacobsohn/AP
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton bobbles the ball as he runs against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks during the Giants’ 20-15 loss to the Cowboys in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 26. Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills celebrates an interception during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Orchard Park, New York, on Monday, September 23. This was his first career interception and latest milestone since he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the field in early 2023. Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball to tight end Johnny Mundt in Minneapolis on Sunday, September 22. The Vikings beat the Houston Texans 34-7. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III runs with the ball for a touchdown during the Steelers’ 20-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Pittsburgh on September 22. Brandon Sloter/Getty Images
Kadeem Telfort of the Green Bay Packers takes a selfie with a fan after the Packers beat the Tennessee Titans 30-14 on the road in Nashville on September 22. John Amis/AP
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22. Stacy Bengs/AP
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescotts sits on the field after a play during the team’s 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Arlington, Texas, on September 22. Cooper Neill/Getty Images
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard runs past New England Patriots cornerback Alex Austin for a touchdown in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, September 19. The Jets won 24-3. Brad Penner/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney scores a touchdown during the team’s 22-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday, September 16. Matt Slocum/AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill during the Chiefs’ 26-25 victory in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday, September 15. The defending Super Bowl champs moved to 2-0 on the season. Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. during a game in Minneapolis on September 15. The Vikings would go on to win the game 24-17. Abbie Parr/AP
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during the Saints’ 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, on September 15. Kamara had four touchdowns in the game. Tim Heitman/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins players attend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he took a hit to the head in the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Thursday, September 12. Tagovailoa was later ruled out with a concussion. Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports/Reuters
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and teammates wait in a tunnel before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Monday, September 9. This is the first game back for Rodgers since tearing his Achilles tendon last year after his first game of the season. Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP
Los Angeles Chargers players and Las Vegas Raiders players clash after a play during the second half of their game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8. Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott celebrates after a touchdown during the Cowboys’ 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland on September 8. Hours before the game, Prescott agreed to a record four-year, $240 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Ken Blaze/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. breaks a tackle from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt in Tampa, Florida, on September 8. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders 37-20. Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle celebrate a touchdown during a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Hill was detained for a short time by police after a traffic incident earlier in the day. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said Sunday that an investigation has begun into the incident and one of the officers involved is being placed on administrative duties. Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields signals during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on September 8. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10. Danny Karnik/AP
Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, right, and Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson tumble in the end zone in Chicago on September 8. Okonkwo made the catch for a touchdown, but the Titans ultimately fell 24-17 to the Bears. David Banks/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defenders in Cincinnati on September 8. The Patriots beat the Bengals 16-10. Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, center, celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during the Vikings’ 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8. Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8. Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, top, dives for the end zone for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Justin Jones is unable to make the tackle in Orchard Park, New York, on September 8. The Bills won 34-28. Matt Slocum/AP
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love walks off the field after taking a hit in the final seconds of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo early Saturday, September 7. The Eagles won 34-29. Brooke Sutton/Getty Images
Brazilian and American flags are presented on the field at Neo Química Arena – also known as Corinthians Arena – in São Paulo ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, September 6. It was the first NFL game in South America. Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift cheers on boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 5. Reed Hoffmann/AP
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely catches a pass with his toe out of bounds as time expires at the end of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. The Chiefs won 27-20. Ed Zurga/AP
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5. Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports/Reuters
Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5. Charlie Riedel/AP The best photos from the 2024 NFL season Prev Next
The Cowboys are winless at home this season but are 2-0 on the road. Dallas desperately needs a great game from quarterback Dak Prescott as the team is dealing with a number of injuries heading into this one. The defense will be without stalwart DeMarcus Lawrence for several weeks and could be missing its best player, Micah Parsons, for Sunday’s trip to Pennsylvania.
However, ‘America’s Team’ will face a stiff test traveling to play in front of a rowdy crowd at Acrisure Stadium, cheering on TJ Watt and the vaunted Pittsburgh defense.
The Steelers lost their first game of the season last week despite mounting a late comeback attempt against the Colts, so look for this game to be a rumble.
Sunday Morning Football
For the next three weeks, US-based fans will wake up on Sunday and be able to watch NFL action as the league heads to the United Kingdom.
The first game in London see the New York Jets take on the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. The Jaguars will then go to London for two weeks, taking on the Chicago Bears on October 13 then the Patriots on October 20.
This will be a very important trip for Jets head coach Robert Saleh as he’s been the subject of criticism following the team’s lackluster performance in New York’s 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Jets offense struggled to move the ball in the game, mustering just nine points, the first time in Aaron Rodgers’ 20-year career that his team failed to score a touchdown in a home game in which he played the entirety.
Could there be changes in New York if the team leaves London with a loss?
Conversely, there are only good vibes around the Vikings as they enter Week 5 as one of two undefeated teams left in the NFL.
The team has been expertly captained by Sam Darnold, with his offensive weapons firing on all cylinders led by Justin Jefferson.
Set your alarms as kickoff from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is at 9:30 a.m. ET.