Thoughts From Week 5

Cowboys-Bills: Doesn't this game just about sum up the Bills franchise? They nearly pulled off an incredible upset of an undefeated team, picking off four Tony Romo passes in the first half alone (plus one in the second half), only to blow a lead after a successful Dallas onside kick and two 53-yard field goals (only one counted, since Dick Jauron joined the kicker-icing fun that seems to have dominated the season). This game should raise some serious concerns for Dallas, as they clearly played down to an inferior opponent and Romo looked like he did in the second half of last season. My favorite moment had to be after the game ended, when the sideline reporter was interviewing Romo. The reporter asked what was going through his head when Nick Folk was lining up for the game-winning kick. Romo said something cliche, but we all know he was thinking "I am SO glad I'm not holding this one."

Bears-Packers: The Chicago offense finally showed signs of life, but more significantly, Brett Favre was back to his old gunslinging ways. Favre threw two interceptions and only one touchdown in his worst game of the season. Throwing INTs to the Bears isn't the worst thing in the world, but it was the way he threw them that was striking. The one caught by Brian Urlacher was just a terrible decision and it had no chance of working in the Packers' favor. Of course, as much as Favre struggled, the goat for the Packers has to be James Jones, who fumbled, not once, but twice in Chicago territory, keeping the Bears in the game and allowing Brian Griese to get in a rhythm. The Packers are still 4-1, but they have to be wary. Their defense shouldn't be allowing the Bears to score 27 points. They'll face a stiff test against Washington this week.

Ravens-49ers: I'll give Brian Billick a little credit, as Willis McGahee got 22 carries this week. Of course, Steve McNair threw the ball 43 times. Why throw so much in a close game when Baltimore had the lead from the 2nd quarter on? Granted, McGahee didn't have his best game, but McNair was far from dominant. Once again Matt Stover looked like the best player on the Ravens offense.

Chargers-Broncos: The Chargers were due for a game like this. Even Norv Turner couldn't make them terrible all season...right? Well they finally broke through in this one and the poor Broncos were the victims. It took four games for him to figure it out, but Norv finally did the smart thing and ran the ball down the throats of his opponent. Tomlinson and Michael Turner ran a combined 31 times, while Philip Rivers only threw 18 passes. That's a recipe for success for this team. Meanwhile, with the Raiders leading the division right now at 2-2 (I can't believe it either), the Chargers are now in great position to take the AFC West.

Buccaneers-Colts: No Marvin Harrison, no Joseph Addai? No problem for Peyton Manning and the Colts. Manning and backup running back Kenton Keith led the Colts to a 33-14 win over Tampa Bay. The Colts are 5-0 and are the only team that deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as the Patriots. This win should prove, however, that Manning is a better quarterback than Brady. Brady's had a great year, but it's because he (finally) has good talent around him. Manning showed that he doesn't need elite receivers or running backs to be great, although a lot of the credit has to go to the offensive line as well.

Lions-Redskins: Is Washington's offense that good or is the Lions defense just awful? It's the Lions. Jason Campbell is an up-and-coming quarterback, but a banged-up receiving corps should not have been able to light up anyone to the tun of 34 points. The Lions, meanwhile, have to find a way to protect Jon Kitna, who may be wearing down from all the sacks he's taken lately.

Seahawks-Steelers: This was a statement game for the Steelers, coming off a loss to Arizona. They look like a great team, especially at home, and flat-out dominated the Seahawks, shutting them out. Meanwhile, the Seahawks may have been exposed as an overrated team. They could still win the NFC West (someone has to), but after that performance I like Arizona's chances.

Cardinals-Rams: At least the Rams figured out how to score, especially without Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson. Don't expect it to last. Especially not against Baltimore next week. What's more interesting is that Kurt Warner is now the starting quarterback in Arizona now that Matt Leinart is done for the year. Warner had been more successful anyway and that success should continue as long as the offensive line continues to be effective.