We’re in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season, and it’s been packed with thrilling finishes, standout performances, and some surprising outcomes. Here’s a breakdown of this week’s action.
Game of the Week: Ravens vs. Bengals
- Final Score: Ravens 41, Bengals 38 (OT)
- Key Highlights: A fierce AFC North showdown ended with Justin Tucker’s game-winning 24-yard field goal in overtime. Lamar Jackson had a solid outing, while Joe Burrow threw a career-high five touchdowns but couldn’t close it out as the Bengals missed a field goal in OT that could’ve changed the game.
- Star Performers: Burrow’s 5 TDs kept Cincinnati in the game, but Derrick Henry’s 51-yard run in overtime helped Baltimore secure the win(PFF)(FOX Sports).
Notable Performances:
- Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders): The rookie QB led Washington to a dominant 34-13 win over Cleveland, helping them improve to 4-1. Daniels threw multiple explosive passes, and the defense held the Browns to just 212 yards(PFF).
- Bo Nix (Denver Broncos): Nix is quietly making a case for Rookie of the Year, guiding Denver to their third consecutive win with a 34-18 victory over the Raiders. He was well-protected by his offensive line and showed poise after an early deficit(PFF).
- Kyzir White (Arizona Cardinals): White’s interception sealed Arizona’s first win over the 49ers in five games, a 24-23 upset on the road. The Cardinals also leaned on their run game, gaining over 6.5 yards per rush(PFF)(FOX Sports).
Key Takeaways:
- Baltimore Ravens are showing resilience with big-time wins in close games. Lamar Jackson’s leadership in critical moments keeps the Ravens looking like a top AFC contender.
- The Commanders‘ strong start at 4-1 makes them a surprise playoff contender in the NFC. Their defense is suffocating opponents, and rookie QB Daniels is playing beyond expectations.
- Cleveland Browns are in free fall at 1-4. The offense continues to sputter under Deshaun Watson, who was sacked seven times in a tough loss to Washington(PFF).
Week 5 Scores and Highlights:
- Chicago Bears 36, Carolina Panthers 10: The Bears defense dominated, holding the Panthers to negative efficiency on offense(FOX Sports).
- Miami Dolphins 15, New England Patriots 10: A defensive slugfest saw the Dolphins grind out a tough divisional win(FOX Sports).
- Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Jets 17: The Vikings held off a Jets rally to win their international matchup in London(FOX Sports).
- Jacksonville Jaguars 37, Indianapolis Colts 34: A back-and-forth affair saw the Jaguars survive a Colts comeback(FOX Sports).
Looking Ahead to Week 6:
We have some must-watch matchups, including the Bills vs. Chiefs, which could preview a potential AFC Championship. Eagles vs. Cowboys will be a fierce divisional rivalry, while the rising Washington Commanders will face the Falcons in a test of their playoff ambitions.
Thanks for checking out this week’s NFL recap! Don’t miss a beat as we head into Week 6, with even more thrilling matchups and emerging playoff contenders. Stay tuned for more updates!