Lamar Jackson has led the Baltimore Ravens to three straight victories.
CNN —
There are two undefeated teams and no winless teams left in the NFL this season after Week 5.
The Kansas City Chiefs maintained their perfect record following their Monday Night Football victory over the New Orleans Saints while the Minnesota Vikings also stayed without a defeat by beating the New York Jets in London.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally got off the mark with their thrilling win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Elsewhere, there was drama throughout Week 5’s games, with late winning scores and dramatic finishes punctuating almost every encounter.
Here are the main takeaways from the past week in the National Football League.
Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum celebrates after a play during a game against the New York Jets in London on Sunday, October 6. The Vikings extended their win streak with a 23-17 victory.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman scores on a 49-yard touchdown reception during the Bills' 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Houston on October 6.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence eats a cupcake to celebrate his birthday after his team beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 at home in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6. It was the Jaguars' first win of the season.
Green Bay Packers punter Daniel Whelan grabs a high snap during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, California, on October 6. The Packers won 24-19.
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 6.
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn celebrates with teammates after kicking a 59-yard field goal on the last play of his team's victory over the Buffalo Bills in Houston on October 6.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir runs for a touchdown after a blocked field goal during a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, California, on October 6. The Cardinals came back to narrowly upset the 49ers 24-23.
Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss celebrates after an interception in Denver on October 6. The Broncos beat the Las Vegas Raiders 34-18.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after his team's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London on October 6. Rodgers was intercepted three times.
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.
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.
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.
Houston Texans safety Eric Murray celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the Texans' 24-20 victory in Houston on September 29.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones lands in the end zone for a touchdown in Minneapolis on September 22.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars players pray together at the end of the game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on September 8.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles during the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5.
Fans enter Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.
The best photos from the 2024 NFL season
Are the Raven Super Bowl favorites?
After starting the season 0-2, the Baltimore Ravens are back on track in the most dramatic fashion.
The Ravens lost to the Las Vegas Raiders and defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but have now won three straight, displaying their Super Bowl contender qualities.
First, Baltimore went on the road against the Dallas Cowboys and got off to a big lead before hanging on for the victory. Then, the Ravens blew away the then-unbeaten Buffalo Bills at home.
In Week 5, Baltimore narrowly beat the Cincinnati Bengals after the Bengals missed an overtime field goal that would have won the game. Ravens’ Justin Tucker would later kick the game-winning field goal as Baltimore left Ohio with a victory.
After the first two underwhelming weeks, the Ravens are firmly back on track and playing well led by their stars.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson – the reigning NFL MVP – has been lights out recently, headlining Sunday’s victory with some typical Jackson plays. With the Ravens down by 10 against the Bengals, he dropped the snap and was able to twice fend off Cincinnati defender Sam Hubbard before finding tight end Isaiah Likely in the endzone in one of the best plays of the season.
To compliment Jackson’s elusiveness, Baltimore’s star offseason acquisition, running back Derrick Henry, continues his hot start.
The 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year is leading the league in rushing through five games and his 51-yard gallop in overtime set up the game-winning field goal.
Between the one-two quarterback and running back punch, paired with the team’s other offensive weapons, Baltimore is beginning to find its groove. And with a well-coached defense and a superstar kicker, the Ravens are looking increasingly like the preseason Super Bowl contenders they were thought to be.
Jackson (left) and Henry (right) have been key to Baltimore's recent revival.
But head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that there is always room for improvement from him, his coaching staff and his players, especially after being down by double digits against Cincinnati.
“I’d rather be up by double digits and hold a lead. But it’s good to know you can do it. I believe we were down by 10 (points) three different times in the fourth quarter. That’s good,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t want to be the guy that dwells on the negative and just says: ‘We weren’t good here, and we weren’t good there.’ We’re going to dwell on that because we’re coaches and we need to – it’s us.
“We look at ourselves and where can we get better; what’s our opportunity. But at the same time, maybe we should get credit for coming back three different times.”
The Ravens host the red-hot Washington Commanders, led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, in Week 6.
Time to bench Deshaun Watson?
There is not much positivity surrounding the Cleveland Browns at the moment.
The 1-4 opening to the season is bad enough, but the general performance from the team’s offense has been even worse.
The main subject of criticism has been starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has played well below the huge contract he was given by the Browns after being traded from the Houston Texans in 2022.
Watson’s performance in Cleveland’s 34-13 loss to the Commanders in Week 5 was further evidence of his struggles.
He was 15-of-28 passing for 125 yards with his only touchdown coming in the fourth quarter after the Browns were down 34-6.
The 29-year-old looked skittish in the pocket, missing open receivers on throws and holding onto the ball for too long with defenders in his face.
He is playing behind an offensive line which is missing key players, but the Browns thought they were signing the three-time Pro Bowler from his time in Houston. But so far, they have seen very little of that production.
Watson (No. 4) has struggled this season for the Cleveland Browns.
This season’s offense is off to a historically bad start. The Browns have yet to reach the 20-point mark or total over 300 yards in a game, becoming the sixth team since 2000 to be held under those milestones through the first games of the season, per the NFL.
Despite the offensive struggles, head coach Kevin Stefanski is sticking with Watson.
“We’re not changing quarterbacks,” Stefanski told reporters. “We need to play better, I need to coach better. That’s really what it is.”
With veteran Jameis Winston on the bench, those questions are unlikely to get any quieter if the performances don’t improve. But Watson himself believes the offense is close to clicking.
“We just got to catch rhythm,” Watson told reporters. “I think we have to find what we are great at, what we are good at, and perfect that.”
Trouble in New York?
The arrival of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets in 2023 was meant to be a game-changer for the hapless franchise.
But after an Achilles injury wiped out Rodgers’ season last year, things are off to a bumpy start in 2024. And the latest hiccup came in London on Sunday as the Jets suffered a disappointing defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was another frustrating performance for the Jets. The defense kept the red-hot Sam Darnold in check for the most part but the offense struggled to get out of first gear.
Rodgers threw two touchdown passes, but also three uncharacteristic interceptions including the game-clincher in the fourth quarter.
The quarterback took some heavy hits from Minnesota defenders and was clearly in discomfort near the end of the game. It was confirmed afterwards that the 40-year-old was dealing with an ankle sprain but should be healthy for New York’s Week 6 home game against the Buffalo Bills.
Rodgers threw three interceptions against the Vikings in London.
Following the loss, the Jets dropped to 2-3 this season and have produced some wildly different performances so far.
The Jets opened with a tough trip to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 and were beaten convincingly. They then looked much improved in back-to-back wins against the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots but now have lost two straight, both in disappointing fashion, after Week 4’s 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.
For a team which is packed with star talent, the displays on the field have left fans wanting more from the coaching staff, in particular from head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
And on Tuesday, the organization made the decision to fire Saleh.
The 45-year-oldcompiled a 20-36 regular season record with no playoff appearances in three-plus seasons on the sidelines. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will replace Saleh on an interim basis.
“This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction,” said chairman Woody Johnson.
Saleh was fired by the Jets after a 2-3 start to the season.
Full Week 5 scores
Thursday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) 30-36 OT Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
Sunday
New York Jets (2-3) 17-23 Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Carolina Panthers (1-4) 10-36 Chicago Bears (3-2)
Baltimore Ravens (3-2) 41-38 OT Cincinnati Bengals (1-4)
Buffalo Bills (3-2) 20-23 Houston Texans (4-1)
Indianapolis Colts (2-3) 34-37 Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
Miami Dolphins (2-3) 15-10 New England Patriots (1-4)
Cleveland Browns (1-4) 13-34 Washington Commanders (4-1)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-3) 18-34 Denver Broncos (3-2)
Arizona Cardinals (2-3) 24-23 San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Green Bay Packers (3-2) 24-19 Los Angeles Rams (1-4)
New York Giants (2-3) 29-20 Seattle Seahawks (3-2)
Dallas Cowboys (3-2) 20-17 Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Monday
New Orleans Saints (2-3) 13-26 Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)