NFL Payoff: The Wild Week 5

Dude…

Week 5 continues to separate the good teams from the bad teams. There are only two teams that are undefeated. How did they fair this week? How are the teams that are struggling to find a way to overcome their own adversities? The Dudes were grinding and watching football to bring you the takeaways from week 5.

Bears vs. Commanders

Bears takeaway: The Bears looked impressive, but they aren’t back: So the Bears actually won a game. Justin Fields threw for four touchdown passes, three of those going to DJ Moore. Moore looked like the receiver they were hoping to get out of the trade for the number one overall pick. The defense continued to improve and demonstrated resilience on the field against a tough Commanders team. Fields and Moore had way out of the norm football games. Neither Fields nor Moore have put those numbers up all season. This may be a silver lining for an already abysmal season, but I don’t expect the Bears to play this well for the rest of the season. This was their first good game in the past five. One for five is not a great statistic.

Commanders takeaway: What an ugly loss: The Commanders didn’t look nearly as bad all season as they did Thursday night. Sam Howell threw two interceptions in key drives. He continues to look like a decent quarterback. He also continues to show how a rookie QB fairs in their first NFL season. The Commanders fell in a massive hole in the first half and didn’t have enough gas to try and come back. The Commanders looked like they could make a run at the playoffs. After a loss like this, that door has the feeling of being slammed shut right in their face.

Jags vs. Bills

Jags takeaways: RB power: You know what you do when you can't get what you want in the pass game. You run the ball baby. I'm telling you the Jags must love those London games because they play like a team you don’t want to face in the playoffs. Doug is doing his job of creating a winning environment for these players and you can’t help but give him credit for the Job he's done with what he was given.

Bills takeaways: They lost? How: That’s a great question. To be fair, many good teams can lose games to another good team in this sae fashion. Miscommunication on defense, a couple bad passes from Allen, and a good performance by the other team. I wouldn’t call it the end of the world for the Bills, this was a tough game and it doesnt tell me what they're going to be for the rest of the season.

Texans vs. Falcons

Texans takeaway: You can tell how young this team is: So we figured out CJ Stroud was the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. He demonstrates great vision and has been leading this young team to a decent season. However, against the Falcons that youth came out. CJ only threw for one touchdown. He had multiple opportunities in the red zone to capitalize, but couldn’t get it done. CJ and Tank Dell look like a great duo. Nico Collins shows off his wide receiver skills at a high level. This team just ran into being young, and the Falcons are just a bit older.

Falcons takeaway: Ridder actually showed up for once: The Falcons have been up and down this season. Bijan Robinson looks like a star in the making. What was really surprising is their QB play. Desmond Ridder hasn’t looked like the starting QB in Atlanta at all this season. However, last week he demonstrated that he may be capable of helping the team out. He threw for almost 330 yards and a touchdown. He demonstrated that he could read a defense, even though it’s one of the worst in the league. Younghoe Koo continued to be the stud that he is as the Falcons beat the Texans.

Panthers vs. Lions

Panthers takeaways: Something’s wrong with Bryce: I could be overeating but this isn’t a rookie year type performance from Byrce Young. He doesn’t look like the player he has shown ever in his life. This guy is making reads that he knows aren’t correct. Could it be a NFL thing, maybe. Could it be a new O line thing, maybe. Regardless. I think this guy realized he’s on a losing team and may not know how to get around that. Mentally it takes a toll, we saw it with Trevor Lawrence but that was due to a bad coach. I hope he figures it out by next season because with this type of play he will be out of a job.

Lions takeaways: Top 5 team: Say what you will about this team. They are freaking good. They Are conservative, their defense is smart and tough, and their coach knows what he's doing. The have a plan, a goal and they know how to execute it. This team is 4-1 and it's not like other good 4-1 seasons they've had. They're playing like a team. A complete culture change goes a long way and I am so excited to see this team in the Playoffs and what they can do to other good teams.

Titans vs. Colts

Titans takeaway: This might be it for Tannehill: So the Titans lose again. How can a team that made the playoffs last year look this bad? There is one person to point the finger at. Ryan Tannehill. He continues to demonstrate that he’s not the guy anymore for Tennessee. He didn’t have a touchdown pass again this week. With Derrick Henry in the backfield, and DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver, you would think this team would be good. It’s not. So what now? Here’s my best piece of non-professional advice, draft a QB. Or better yet, play one of the guys you’ve drafted in the last 3 years!! It’s ridiculous that Tannehill is the answer. Everything is pointing towards him not being the guy anymore.

Colts takeaway: On the come up: This Colts team has found their QB and are improving every single day. Jonathan Taylor is on his way back. However, it was Zach Moss that ate up the defense at the running back position. Micheal Pittman Jr. is an elite wide receiver. However, the Colts took a loss at QB with Anthony Richardson getting hurt. He will be out a few weeks, but this Colts team has had a lot more success and will continue to develop that success.

Giants vs. Dolphins

Dolphins takeaways: Miami was being nice: I get this team is really enjoying their offense right now, but they still have yet to beat a playoff hungry team (Chargers excluded). They can fly on the offense but there's just a little hunger and want this team misses. I feel like they want to win the entire thing but they are a little more flashy than hungry on the field. I’m also still not sure what their defense is all about.

Giants takeaways: BOO HIM: This team has the worst line I’ve ever seen put together on an NFL field. And the coaching staff is having trouble getting these guys to buy into the program. It is a little weird how they were a good team last year and managed to become this bad the next year. A good line can go a long way in this league. And it shows how much impact it makes in the win-loss column.

Saints vs. Patriots

Saints takeaway: Well that was easy: The Saints didn’t have to give a ton of effort in their blowout victory over the Pats. The Saints found themselves up a ton of points in the first half and just pounded the rock for the rest of the game. It was Kamara’s second game back from suspension and he demonstrated that he hasn’t lost his all-pro touch. If the Saints defense and QB Derek Carr can continue to get better each week, you might find them in the playoffs.

Patriots takeaway: The Belichick era is probably over: I’m going to keep it pretty blunt, the Patriots are one of the worst teams in football. They got their ass handed to them. On a silver platter. The Mac Jones experiment is over, and Belichick might be done as well. I cannot comprehend how this team got this bad. I remember 10 years ago hating the Patriots, dreaming for the day that their empire would fall. Now that it has, it may be all gone. Their offense is terrible and their defense isn’t much better. It’s going to be a long season for Patriots fans, one can only hope the Caleb Williams lottery falls into their hands.

Ravens vs. Steelers

Ravens takeaway: Wide Receivers. Do you have any? Before you clowns start calling Lamar trash, I want you to look at who he’s throwing to. There were way too many dropped passes in this game. And when it’s a divisional game, its hard to smoke teams that aren’t supposed to be good when you don't play your very best. The defense had a little slumber party towards the end of the game, but I still wouldn't worry about what they’ll do the remainder of the season.

Steelers takeaways: Matt Canada hates offense: This is a joke due to the viral video of Matt Canada showing no emotion on the walk off TD he called. But this team still has an issue on offense. And with the players Canada has, it shouldn’t be that hard to do stuff like he did at the end of the game consistently. The Steelers will end up winning 10 games regardless but I don't see a playoff run for this team regardless.

Chiefs vs. Vikings

Vikings takeaways: The end is drawing near: It actually surprises me how the Vikings are 1-4, but there's something that just doesn't vibe for the team. I really believe the team could be good but they just had a bad funk to the beginning of the season. JJ isnt signed so he’s probably heading out of the system soon. And Kirk being on his last year of his contract, it may be wise to trade him if you guys lose another game.

Chiefs takeaways: Taylor-gate may be real: Look, I’m no expert in officiating football games, so who am I to judge on how they judge a call. But when a player takes his helmet off in the middle of a play, there really is no leeway for any of that crap. Like I said I know the Chiefs have gotten some no calls in their favor, but the team has a major problem, wide receivers. The fact that Justin Watson is your WR 1 at the moment is not a good look for the team and where they want to go. Defense will have to step up to make this a super bowl worthy team.

Eagles vs. Rams

Eagles takeaways: Run, Run, Run: Yeah the Birds know how to run the football, and trading away a good corner for a fantastic RB is looking very good in their favor. Their defense is still sketchy but when you create an offensive threat to balance it out, the good times always come rolling in. I wouldn't worry if you're an Eagles fan until you get to the playoffs. This team is set and stone.

Rams takeaways: Mid: I don’t have anything bad to say about this team. They just don’t, you know, have what it takes. The days of creating a super team are over. The defense is not the same, and Matt Stafford is trying his best to be a game changer on the offense. Don’t exactly know where this team's direction is, it might be different if they have fans but they don’t exist.

Bengals vs. Cardinals

Bengals takeaways: Chase is open, always open: Not to mention how silly Zach Taylor is but the only thing the Bengals had to change was throw it to Chase every time? That sounds like a bad team with good players. Do not be surprised when this team wins 8 in a row and makes the playoffs again. The defense is still sus and the O line had an easy game against a weak D line.

Cardinals takeaways: Keep fighting: You know I don’t have a problem with this team. They really want to find a way to get back into the winning column next season, but they may need to sink a little to find a way to get to that spot. They play teams well but are a little short on the talent side. Once Kyler comes back it may be different. I’d keep my hopes up for this team and love to see them win a couple more big games.

Jets vs. Broncos

Jets takeaways: Good team, needs a QB: As much as Zach Wilson is improving he still has a hiccup he needs to cure. The Jets, legitimately, are a solid team with a good coaching staff. But everyone knows, unless Zach plays the way he did against the Chiefs, playoff dreams are basically down the drain. The FG unit is legit, though!

Broncos takeaways: Retire, Kevin James: Sean Peyton is absolutely pooping on this season. The defense, that normally he loves to handle, is a toilet show. Russel isn’t playing bad at all, but this team he has is just really in a depressive state. God only knows how this team can turn it around and it may be a new coach in the mix or a look for a young new QB to restart with. I hope this team figures it out, truthfully. The city deserves it.

Cowboys vs. 49ers

49ers takeaways: Kyle Shanahan needs a Super Bowl: Have you seen Brock Purdy’s college highlights? Yeah, not much there. But the fact Kyle Shanahan has been able to convert this guy into a top 10 QB is quite special. He’s smart, fundamental and knows who to throw to every time. The only thing that can hold this team back is an injury to Brock Purdy. They saw a great Cowboys defense and took its lunch money. This team is the best in the league and it is not close whatsoever (but don't ask them about their payroll they need to figure out next season).

Cowboys takeaways: Dak, it's time to go: This is Kyle writing this one so I’ll actually have something to say unlike Payton. This team has potential and the achilles heel is your QB. I’m not a hater of Dak but he has an interception problem. He takes his team out of games way too much and it will be the reason this team won't make it to a Conference Championship game. I’d like for Jerry to trade him away, but it doesn't look like that will be the case this season.

Packers vs. Raiders

Packers takeaways: Jordan Love hates primetime: I’ve seen Jordan Love play well, but not when the lights come on. It could be a lack of playmakers or a bunch of pressure for a fanbase who is known to dominate in the regular season. This team, regardless of who's at QB, isn't a highly competitive team and will end up as a middle of the road squad who will need to do a lot of analyzing on what their future goals are going to be.

Raiders takeaways: Josh, what are you doing: Who am I to criticize a head coach in the NFL, like I could do any better. But decisions at the end of this game are literally the difference between getting fired and becoming a tenure head coach. I don’t think the raiders played awful, but is there a goal to become a competitive team this year? Or do they want to grab a fantastic QB in the draft. Their stars want them to win, but the FO is wanting a good first round pick in April. The only thing this team is realistically destined for is fighting for a right at the bottom of the division.