NFL: 5 Things I Learned in Week 5

The NFL is like a soap opera both on the field and off. With what happened this week, it’s no wonder why Hard Knocks is must see TV, but maybe there should be more investigative reporting sometimes.

5 Things from Week 5

1. Gruden Is A Phony – I mean I fell for it. I used to love the Chucky scowls in the early 2000s and even more when he was on Monday Night Football and most of all his QB camps. However, clearly, Gruden has some deep issues. Most people know better not to express such views in emails, but given the full pattern of his clear hatred towards about everyone and ego to think it wasn’t going to come out after the initial Players Union President Demaurice Smith email. In the end, no one is perfect, but the Raiders were a shell on Sunday in this aftermath and now will go on without Chucky at the helm.
2. Chiefs Are In Trouble – After another critical loss in the AFC to the surging Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs have now lost 2 straight at home and 3 in the AFC to 3 of the 4 AFC Division leaders. They can bounce back, but the Defense has been completely exposed, and I read a stat that Mahomes has now thrown 14 interceptions in his last 13 games, which is not his M.O. They are going to need to dig deep.
3. Survivor Pools Give Heartburn – With 3 of the top selected teams taking their selectors on complete rollercoasters, the Patriots trailed 22-9 before coming back to win 25-22; the Vikings blew a 10 point lead in minutes to actually trail by 1 with seconds remaining until a late FG drive saved them; and the Ravens were dead in the water until Lamar Jackson took over to force OT and get the ball first to score the game winning TD. Pepto’s stock is up this season.
4. Russell’s Injury Is Huge – The Seahawks have been living off of Russell Wilson’s cooking his whole career, but after a finger injury and surgery, Russ will miss his first start of his NFL career. Wilson has never gotten an MVP vote, but we will see just how valuable he is over the next several weeks.
5. Chargers and Herbert Are A Force – I, for one, thought the Browns D would show Justin Herbert who was boss, but after trailing by 14 in the 3rd Quarter, the Chargers scored TDs on 5 of their last 6 drives in the game to win a wild one – 47-42. Rookie Coach Brandon Staley chose to go for 4th and 3 at his own 25 in the 3rd Quarter and again at 4th and 8. This team is legit and should push the other AFC squads come January.

Wegs Index After Week 5

1. Bills 4-1 (2.17) – They smashed the Chiefs in their AFC Championship revenge spot. Josh Allen is back to elite level leading the NFL in scoring and the D is better this year leading in both Yards Allowed and Points Against.
2. Cardinals 5-0 (5.67) – They were able to stand up to a stout SF D, now watch QB Kyler Murray’s injury, as when he got dinged up last year, the Offense tanked in 2020.
3. Cowboys 4-1 (8.00) – DAL has figured it out. They are beating on the bad teams, and they have played 2 other top teams tight in TB and LAC. Still Turnover Driven with Trevon Diggs’ league leading 6 INTs which helps them be 2nd in Scoring.
4. Browns 3-2 (8.00) – Despite the loss at the Chargers, the Browns have been playing at a great level. Injuries are starting to mount on D, which allowed the Bolts to keep scoring on Sunday.
5. Bucs 4-1 (8.33) – TB12 has been dealing and now leading the NFL in Passing Yardage and 2nd in TDs. If the D gets right, then they are a force still.
6. Chargers 4-1 (10.17) – Now, they did best the Browns in that shootout, but the D gave up a ton of yards, which is a concern against top units like BAL this Sunday.

Marquee Match Ups in Week 6

Chargers at Ravens (-3, 51.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/17 at 12 Noon Central – Both teams are coming off incredible come from behind victories. The Chargers seem like the better team, but BAL has found ways to win close games all year. This should come down the wire, as well. I like the Over in this one.

Cardinals at Browns (-2.5, 49.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/17 at 3:05 PM Central – The lone undefeated team in AZ goes to the Browns who could be 5-0. The Murray injury looms large in this one, and I’m not sure the Cardinals can stop this Browns’ running game. I’d lean the Brownies here.

Bills at Titans (+5.5, 54 Total) – Monday, 10/18 at 7:15 PM Central – Maybe not what the schedulers thought they would get at this stage with the Titans struggling with injuries on Offense, however I do think Coach Mike Vrabel will fire up the troops for this prime time game. Even though my metrics say BUF, I’d grab those points with the Titans.

Enjoy another great week, and note, this is the first week with Byes: ATL, NYJ, SF and NO.

Wegs