NFL Week 5 preview: Last-minute observations and thoughts
It’s Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season, and here’s what you should be watching closely when the games kick off on Sunday.
The second quarter of the NFL season is here. It started on Thursday night, with the Chicago Bears improving to 4-1 in an upset win at Soldier Field over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now, with 14 games on the docket between Sunday and Tuesday night — yes, it’s a strange season — there’s plenty to get into. Here are four games to watch closely, and the implications for the teams involved.
– Huge game in Cleveland. The Browns and Indianapolis Colts are squaring off with both teams fighting to be 4-1 on the campaign. If the Browns win, they’ve got a showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That game gives them a real chance to climb into a strong position within the AFC North. For Indianapolis, a victory keeps pressure on the undefeated Tennessee Titans. For both, a win means a potentially critical tiebreaker in the wild card race.
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– The Cardinals need to get the job done. Arizona is coming across the country to take on the New York Jets in the Meadowlands. New York is both 0-4 and absolutely horrendous in every facet. Losing to the Jets after falling to the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers in consecutive weeks would essentially crush the Cardinals in a very competitive NFC West. If Kyler Murray and Co. are going to stay in the playoff race, they must beat the Jets.
– Can the Raiders finally beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead? The last time it happened, Carson Palmer was under center. Derek Carr is 0-6 and has never produced more than 17 points. If Las Vegas is going to get a signature win, it’ll likely be because Carr plays his best game ever at Arrowhead, and the defense forces some turnovers and negative plays. Should the Chiefs handle business, Patrick Mahomes and his cast of stars will head to Buffalo next week for a showdown with the Bills.
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– The Cowboys are facing their last stand with the New York Giants coming to town. If Dallas can’t find. a way to handle Big Blue this weekend, it’s probably time to start thinking about their long-term future under head coach Mike McCarthy. Yes, it’s only five weeks, but Dallas has looked terrible defensively to this point and disjointed offensively. If the Giants can go on the road and win their first game of the season, Dallas is in major trouble.
