Around the AFC
Bengals need an Average Joe: About two weeks ago, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he had “unwavering confidence” in backup Jake Browning. And yet $161 million man Ja’Marr Chase seemed rather unhappy. And $115 million man Tee Higgins seemed rather unhappy. The Broncos turned Browning into a ghost a couple of weeks ago, and then Joe Burrow’s replacement turned around and threw three picks against the Lions. The solution to a rapidly-sinking Bengals season: The organization traded for 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who authored a resounding 60.3 quarterback rating in four games in Cleveland before being benched for rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Vibe check in Vegas: Pete Carroll’s NFL return could be going better. The Raiders just got blitzed 40-6 by the Colts in Indianapolis, and quarterback Geno Smith has nine picks in five games. Stud tight end Brock Bowers has been nagged by a knee injury. Linebacker Germaine Pratt was cut after four games. It’s a long process, but the 74-year-old Carroll has yet to show any signs of the culture overhaul he orchestrated at USC and in Seattle.
Breakthrough in Houston: C.J. Stroud said recently he felt like he was getting old at 23. The NFL world, evidently, did not understand this was a joke, because for some reason the larger NFL world seemed to sour on Stroud after he tried to give a few words of advice to Caleb Williams last year. After a shaky three-game start to 2025, though, Stroud got back on track with a 23-of-27, 244-yard, four-touchdown gem in a blowout of the Ravens last week. Yes, Baltimore’s bruised up every which way. But it was a much-needed showing for Stroud.
Around the NFC
The Javonte Renaissance: Who could’ve predicted this? Through five weeks in Dallas, former Broncos running back Javonte Williams sits at third in the NFL with 447 rushing yards — less than 70 away from his 2024 mark, which he put up in 17 games in Denver. He’s averaging two full yards a carry more in 2025 than he did in 2024, and just snapped off a 66-yarder in a 135-yard performance in Dallas’ Week 5 win over the Jets. If the Broncos hadn’t found J.K. Dobbins at the free-agent buzzer, they might’ve ended up pining after their ex in Texas.
Who’s the real No. 1 pick? A heck of a Monday Night matchup is coming to D.C., as 2024 No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels and the Commanders host 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears. It’s a rematch of last October, when Daniels established himself as the clear top dog in his class in downing Williams in an 18-15 Washington win — albeit on a last-second Hail Mary. Williams, though, has captured some attention across two straight wins for Chicago, and Daniels is still ramping up from an early-season knee injury. Round 2 awaits.
Historic Puka: Matthew Stafford is just churning out historic receiver seasons down in Los Angeles, as Puka Nacua shattered old teammate Cooper Kupp’s record last week for the most catches through the first five weeks of an NFL season. 52 catches! On 62 targets! It’s shaping up as an all-timer. Former Saints wideout Michael Thomas is the single-season record-holder with 149 catches back in 2019, and Nacua is easily within early striking distance.
Game of the Week
San Francisco at Tampa Bay
This is a gem on the CBS mid-afternoon slate. San Francisco, despite a rash of injuries and Brock Purdy’s absence, sits at 4-1. The Buccaneers, riding high on the right arm and outsized confidence of Baker Mayfield, also sit at 4-1. A dogged San Francisco defense did enough to seal an overtime win over the Rams last week, while Mayfield went haywire in a 29-of-33, 379-yard performance to slay Seattle. Someone’s ending up 5-1 and an early belle of the NFL ball after this one.
Tampa Bay 27, San Francisco 21
Lock of the Week
Rams at Ravens
Unless Lamar Jackson pulls a Willis Reed and hobbles out of the tunnel at M&T Bank Stadium on a bad hamstring, this one’s a wrap. The Ravens have given up 35-plus points in four of their five games this season, and sit at 1-4 because of it. Their training room looks like a M.A.S.H. ward. Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford rolls in conducting one of the highest-powered passing attacks in the league. Expect fireworks.
Rams 38, Ravens 17
Upset of the Week
Chargers at Dolphins
Man, the Chargers’ season started so promisingly. But starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are out, running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are both sidelined, and Justin Herbert’s gotten knocked around the yard for three straight games. Los Angeles sits at 3-2, but they’re eminently vulnerable after putting up just 10 points last week in a loss to the Commanders. Mike McDaniel looks totally checked out in Miami, but Tua Tagovailoa still has enough juice left in his left arm to pull this one out.
Dolphins 21, Chargers 17
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