NFL Week 5: Notes and observations

The fifth week of the NFL season is already upon us somehow. Every year, it feels like an eternity for the campaign to arrive, and then in the blink of an eye, we’re already peeking ahead to the playoffs and what might be in store come January.

While we aren’t quite to that point, some teams are already announcing themselves as contenders while others are looking at a long season ahead. This weekend, we’ll see a further distinction for those squads. Here is what to watch for…

• The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t mess around. Look, Pittsburgh is going to win the AFC North, mostly because it already beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road, and while Baltimore isn’t good, it is the only team even remotely capable of challenging for the division. Still, the Steelers are a much different team at home, where they play on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Pittsburgh wants to have home-field advantage come January, winning these types of games have to happen.

• The Dallas Cowboys have to get back on track. We have seen the Cowboys win two and lose two, and now they welcome in the Green Bay Packers. Dallas has to find a way to run the ball better, with Ezekiel Elliott only garnering 3.6 yards per carry behind the league’s best offensive line. On Sunday, the Cowboys might be without Tyron Smith and La’el Collins, both of whom who are questionable. Regardless of their availability, the Cowboys have to find a way at home or face the prospect of being 2-3.

• What to make of the Oakland Raiders? Oakland is coming into this weekend with uncertainty under center, with EJ Manuel and Derek Carr both possibilities to play. No matter who ends up starting, the Raiders must get back on the proverbial track against the Ravens, who have shown no ability to move the ball with Joe Flacco at the helm. Over the past two weeks, Baltimore has 16 points in a pair of defeats, with Flacco struggling to find Jeremy Maclin, Breshad Perriman and Mike Wallace. The trio has combined for a measly 21 receptions. If Oakland is a really good team, a true contender, this has to end up in the win column.

• Finally, who can step up and get a big win, perhaps an unexpected one? The Buffalo Bills are 3-1 but remain underdogs across the boards in Vegas. Can they get the job done against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are desperate coming into the weekend at 1-3. The Arizona Cardinals are another team looking to get going. At 2-2 and traveling to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cardinals have plenty to prove after a sluggish start that includes a pair of losses and overtime wins over the lowly San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts.