NFL: Week 5 Calamity

The NFL always has weeks when the term – “Any Given Sunday” ensues. Well, Week 5 gave us just that.

Week 5 in Review

• Colts Win Improbably – Indy has been bad in the early season, but with the help fo some terrible play calling late by DEN’s HC Hackett and QB Russell Wilson’s bad decision making, the Colts get a miracle win in OT, 12-9. A rare no TD game in the NFL.
• Giants Storm Back in London – The Giants have been a surprise in 2022, as they have won several close games. In London, the Packers got out in front early to a 17-3 lead, but the depleted Giants never gave up and ended up winning with a late TD 27-22 and now are 4-1.
• Jets Believe – Yep, having Tua out and Teddy Bridgewater knocked out of the game helped, but the Jets are now 3-2 with a huge 40-17 win over Miami. Rooke RB Breece Hall accounted for 197 yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD.
• Texans Get A Win – The Jags had been looking good, but the Texans continued their dominance over the Jags winning an ugly one, 13-6, for their 9th straight win over Jacksonville.
• Cowboys D Crushes Rams – The Boys are playing some of the best D around, and after a scoop and score TD they blocked a punt to grab control early. The Rams turned the ball over 3 times, and only really had the one long play to Cooper Kupp. The Cowboys move to 4-1 and QB Cooper Rush is now 5-0 all time as a starter.
• Chiefs Survive a Scare – The Raiders came out with a fire on MNF to a 17-0 lead, but Patrick Mahomes found his bestie Travis Kelce for 4 TDs. A Defensive hold late killed the Raiders and even after the late KC lead, the Raiders hit a big pass to Davante Adams to potentially tie the game. Yet, the went for 2 and the win with 4:27 to play unsuccessfully. The Chiefs hold on late for the 30-29 win.

Picks Review: S/U – 1-3, ATS – 3-1 – Weird week, but CLE and CIN were right there, while the Cowboys just dominated. The Chiefs get the win, but don’t cover.

Wegs Index Top 10

1. Bills (4-1, 2.33) – The Bills are back to dominating weaker opponents. 1st or 2nd in all the categories, but TO Differential.
2. Eagles (5-0, 3.67) – Eagles squeak past the Cardinals to remain unbeaten. #1 in TO Margin has led to wins.
3. 49ers (3-2, 8.17) – The 49ers D is getting to historic levels. 249 Yards Allowed per Game and 12.2 PPG. Wow.
4. Jags (2-3, 9.17) – The Jags bumbled chances versus HOU, and have turned the ball over a ton the last 2 weeks.
5. Bucs (3-2, 10.67) – The Bucs are relied on their D again to get back in the win column.
6. Chiefs (4-1, 10.83) – Still the #1 Scoring Team, but they almost got caught looking ahead to the Bills.
7. Cowboys (4-1, 11.67) – 2nd in TO Margin and 3rd in Scoring D has made the Boys dangerous.
8. Ravens (3-2, 11.83) – Ravens have to figure out a way to stop blowing leads, even though they won, they blew another double digit lead in this one.
9. Bengals (2-3, 12.83) – Luckily the D is playing well because they are 22nd in Yards Gained.
10. Vikings (3-2, 13.17) – Vikes are just ok. Too many Yards Against – 369.8 (24th)

Waiver Wire Targets

• QB, Geno Smith (SEA) – At some point, you have to give credit where credit is due. Smith has actually outplayed his predecessor, Russell Wilson. He has weapons, and this O Line has been good. AZ isn’t great, so SEA should continue to let Geno cook.
• RB, Eno Benjamin (AZ) – With James Connor out and Darrel Williams likely missing Week 6, Eno can get plenty of run against the terrible SEA D.
• RB, Isiah Pacheco (KC) – Yeah, he’s not getting a ton of run, but every time this guy gets the ball he runs with power. Edwards-Helaire is a decent player, but at some point, Pacheco will take this backfield.
• TE, Hayden Hurst (CIN) – Hurst is 2nd on the Bengals in targets and his 2 TDs is tied for the team lead.
• TE, Evan Engram (JAC) – Maybe it was a game script, but Engram received a season high 10 targets on Sunday for 6 catches and 69 yards. The Colts are also 29th against the TE this year.

Note: Bye Weeks for Lions, Raiders, Texans and Titans

Marquee Games in Week 6

• Jags at Colts (-2, 42 Total) – Sunday, 10/16 at Noon Central on CBS – The Jags dominated the Colts in Jacksonville in Week 2, so there is some revenge on the Colts mind. However, the Colts Offense has been terrible, especially the pass protection. All metrics point to the Jags here, but I think the Colts will play well. They win and cover this.
• Bills at Chiefs (+2.5, 53.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/16 at 3:25 PM Central on CBS – Strange this is not in prime time, as the rematch of the playoff game of the decade. The Bills are on a mission this year, and they even won a close game at BAL (their first in 8 tries since the start of 2021). The Chiefs obviously got caught looking ahead to this one versus the Raiders, despite the win. I still like the Bills to win and cover the -2.5.
• Cowboys at Eagles (-5, 42 Total) – Sunday, 10/16 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – An early battle for 1st place in the NFC East pitting 2 definite playoff teams. The Cowboys D has been playing great, but I’m not sure they can score against this Eagles’ unit. So, the Eagles win, but I like the Boys to cover the +5.
• Broncos at Chargers (-5.5, 45.5 Total) – Monday, 10/17 at 7:15 PM Central on ESPN – The Broncos’ Offensive futility will need to improve in this one, as the Chargers will score points. I’m not sure the Chargers’ D is that good. So, I’m going to split this one- Chargers win, but don’t cover -5.5.

Enjoy another great week.

Wegs