Here are 10 things I learned from Week 5 of the NFL season.
The keys didn’t work on Monday. When asked about his job security Sunday, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said that he would see if his keys worked on Monday. After his team lost to the Patriots, the team’s fifth loss in five games, he was fired.
Someone in the family did something right. Jay Gruden’s brother, Jon, proved he knew what he was doing. In Sunday’s matchup in London, in Khalil Mack’s first game against his former team, Gruden’s Raiders got the better of the Bears.
“I don’t have a disco, but let’s all start dancing.” 🕺 pic.twitter.com/E9A36DiICP
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 6, 2019
Field goals and extra points aren’t a gimme. From Thursday through Sunday, there were a total of 15 missed field goals along with four missed extra points, none more costly than Titans Cairo Santos’ four failed attempts, essentially leaving 12 points off the scoreboard when the team lost by only a seven-point margin. He was released Monday.
Who’s got 22? The focal point of the Panthers’ offense dating back to last season, Christian McCaffrey had 176 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground, including an 84-yard gainer where he ran right through the middle of the line and was untouched. He added six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, too.
IT'S A C-MAC ATTACK!!!
@run__cmc | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/ZS5yqksJor
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 6, 2019
All magic comes to an end. Minshew Magic, which had taken the league by storm, fell short on Sunday as the rookie quarterback was unable to bring his team back to a win against the Panthers.
The rookie is human. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who impressed in his first two starts, came back down to Earth on Sunday. He finished 21 for 38 with 182 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Vikings’ defense also sacked him four times.
That’s fine, double him. Deshaun Watson threw for five touchdowns in a 53-32 victory over the Falcons. While DeAndre Hopkins was double-covered all day, Will Fuller scored three touchdowns on the day.
Even the best have a bad game. In the upset of the week, the Colts handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season. Patrick Mahomes only threw one touchdown pass while visibly limping on the field. Meanwhile, Colts running back Marlon Mack ran for 132 yards, which helped lead his team to victory. The Colts’ decimated secondary did a great job holding the Chiefs receivers in check throughout the game.
He can throw the ball, after all. Through the first four games, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings’ passing offense was nonexistent, so much so that he was called out by his receivers, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. On Sunday, however, he passed for over 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both to Thielen.
The long-awaited first is sweet. Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Broncos head coach Vic Fangio each finally got their first victories on Sunday. Meanwhile, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was again on the losing end, this week to Kingsbury’s Cardinals.
After five weeks, there are still four teams without a win, which already cost one head coach his job. Meanwhile, no surprise to anyone, the Patriots remain undefeated. More surprising, though, is the 49ers who, off of their early bye, beat the Browns 31-3 to go to 4-0 for the first time since 1990.
