Even with the bye weeks having just taken effect, and with a relative drop in total touchdowns scored from the previous week, Week 5 still delivered plenty of drama on the gridiron. The 2023 NFL campaign’s landscape has altered again, calling for another rundown of what transpired this past Sunday.

Nitrobetting is here to take your bets into the end zone this 2023 NFL season. Let’s briefly recap the biggest headlines and takeaways from the Week 5 action on the gridiron, and what we should expect from the upcoming thrills of Week 6.

Top 5 Takeaways from Week 5 of the 2023 NFL Season

Are the 49ers the best team in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/i0SPneXNzH

— PFF (@PFF) October 9, 2023

Bills Blow It in Great Britain

The Jaguars stayed another week in the UK and had a jolly good time during their two-week stint across the pond, staging a 25-20 upset over the Bills for their second straight win. Trevor Lawrence improved to 3-1 in London, while running back Travis Etienne gashed the Buffalo defense for 136 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

As for the Bills, they dropped to 3-2 and wasted a solid afternoon from Josh Allen, who threw for 359 passing yards and scored three offensive TDs. Buffalo’s reign atop the AFC East was short-lived, but the team will have a favorable matchup in Week 6 to get back on the right track. The Bills are currently heavy (-13.5) favorites at home against a struggling Giants side that was blown out on Sunday by Buffalo’s main divisional adversary, the now-4-and-1 Dolphins

Pats, G-Men Jones-ing for Better QB Play

Speaking of the Giants, they share something with the Patriots other than their similarly disappointing 1–4 records after five weeks of play. Both have quarterbacks named Jones who’ve both been lackluster under center this season, to say the least. New York’s Daniel Jones was held to under 120 passing yards and was sacked six times, as the G-Men’s sieve of an offensive line continues to be a liability.

Meanwhile, New England’s QB woes might be even worse, as Bill Belichick was handed his second-worst defeat a week after a historically bad loss from Week 4 as the Pats were shut out in Foxborough this past Sunday by the Saints, 34-0. Mac Jones might be benched next week after his terrible outing of just 110 passing yards and a pair of picks against New Orleans. Simply put, the Giants and Patriots are in for long and miserable seasons if their respective QBs continue to crack under the slightest of pressure.

Stroud in Full Stride, but Ridder the Better Ride

Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to amaze, as his historically efficient debut season reached new benchmarks, albeit in a Week 5 loss to the Falcons. Stroud extended his record-setting streak of passes thrown without an incompletion to start an NFL career with 177 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. The former Ohio State standout also displayed his ability in the clutch, leading an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take the lead late in the fourth quarter with under two minutes left.

However, Atlanta’s own young QB, Desmond Ridder, outplayed Stroud on Sunday afternoon to the tune of 329 passing yards and a passing TD without a turnover. The Falcons have yet to lose at home with Ridder under center, and they’ll have a great opportunity to keep that streak going with a favorable matchup at home against the Commanders in Week 6.

Joe and Ja’Marr Jiving Again

Through the first month of action, Cincinnati’s star QB Joe Burrow looked like he was washed out. Thankfully, Joe Cool was cruising through the air against the Cardinals in Glendale, throwing for 317 passing yards and three TDs; all three of which were hauled in by fellow LSU alum Ja’Mar Chase. Chase also had the biggest of bounce-back efforts, hauling in 15 catches for 192 receiving yards to go with his three trips to the end zone.

With the Ravens having just been stunned by the Steelers, the 2-3 Bengals are suddenly back in the mix in the wild AFC North race. Cincy will enter Week 6 as slight (-3.0) home faves to beat a visiting Seahawks squad coming off their bye. With the Burrow-to-Chase connection having been rekindled, the Bengals could have another comeback campaign brewing similar to their slow start from the 2022 regular season.

Eagles, Niners Still Cuts Above the Rest

The NFL’s two remaining undefeated teams heading into Week 5 kept their respective flawless records intact, with each of these powerhouse NFC teams pulling off impressive victories. The Eagles staved off a returning Cooper Kupp with a sound 23-14 win in SoFi over the resilient Rams, as Jalen Hurts threw for over 300 yards in the air and ran for another 72 yards on the ground to go with a pair of offensive TDs.

Meanwhile, the 49ers looked even more impressive than the Eagles by way of their 42-10 destruction of the Cowboys. Brock Purdy threw four passing touchdowns without any turnovers, and the Niners’ defense forced three Dallas turnovers as well in an utter thrashing in Santa Clara over their long-time rivals. San Fran and Philly will face one another in Week 13, and what a treat it would be if these two NFC juggernauts end up colliding in this late-season showdown with their respective unbeaten records on the line.

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