5 NFL teams that can make a statement in Week 5
The NFL is entering its fifth week of the regular season on Thursday night, with the Indianapolis Colts taking on the New England Patriots. In all likelihood, the Patriots will roll over the depleted Colts, giving them a 3-2 record and perhaps by week’s end, first place in the AFC East.
For New England, a win is more than expected, though, not allowing it to make much of a statement. So which teams can actually plant their proverbial flags in the ground? Here are a few that would meet that criteria.
5. Oakland Raiders
Yes, the Raiders, they of the faint pulse in the AFC West. Oakland won in overtime last weekend against the Cleveland Browns and now hits the road to take on the Los Angeles Chargers. While the game is away from the Oakland Coliseum, the Raiders will feel loved with most of the fans donning silver and black on Sunday. If they can find a way to win at StubHub Center, they’ll suddenly be back in the wild card mix at 2-3.
4. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons need to win, or it’s likely over for a team many believed would be a Super Bowl contender back in August. TO be fair, injuries have crushed Atlanta’s defense, and going into Pittsburgh this week for a date with the high-powered Steelers isn’t ideal. Still, a win is possible with Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ dynamic offense, and at 2-3, Atlanta wouldn’t be buried just yet.
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are facing a tipping point in Week 5. After having their proverbial doors blown off in Foxborough, Â the team is back on the road in Cincinnati for a tilt with the Bengals. Cincinnati is also 3-1, and beating it would send a message that the Dolphins are for real. Another loss likely drops Miami to second in the AFC East, a spot it would probably stay in moving forward.
2. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are finally exciting and full of hope thanks to John Dorsey and Baker Mayfield, but can they beat a good team, and a division rival at that? Cleveland was able to topple the New York Jets for its first win since Christmas Eve 2016, but then lost a heartbreaker against the Raiders in overtime last week. Can Cleveland handle business at home against the Baltimore Ravens, or is it going to fall short?
1. Seattle Seahawks
This would be one of the biggest upsets of the week, and damn it would be a statement. The Seahawks are 2-2 but they’ve mostly looked awful, and now they’re dealing with the loss of Earl Thomas for the remainder of the year. The Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, and beating their undefeated NFC West rivals would be a gigantic step in the right direction.
