Colts @ Jaguars:
It was a shame that either team lost this game because this was the second most entertaining game on the slate. Joe Flacco led a comeback that fell short, but he still threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Alec Pierce made some amazing catches and had three receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. Pierce deserves more targets, but he only had three. Josh Downs had 12 targets and nine receptions for 69 yards, and he looked very good. Michael Pittman couldn’t really get open and only had five catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. For Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence finally had a good game, throwing for 371 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Brian Thomas, who had 122 yards receiving. The player of the game, though, for Jacksonville, was Tank Bigsby, who had 13 carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 65-yarder. Bigsby looks much faster than Travis Etienne, and moving forward, I think he’s the RB I’d rather have on this team.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 03: Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Bills @ Texans:
Josh Allen had 9 completions in this game, giving Buffalo zero chance to win. I know the Bills want to be a run-first offense, and they ran the ball 28 times, but if Josh Allen is not completing double-digit passes, this team is never going to win the division. They were completely lost without Shakir, and James Cook was their entire offense. The Bills are 3-2 but they’ve got to figure out how to change their offensive sets quickly because this could end in potential disaster. For the Texans, CJ Stroud finished with 331 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs had 82 receiving yards in a revenge game. The big problem for the Texans was that Nico Collins left the game after catching a long touchdown with a hamstring issue. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to play in Week 6. If not, Tank Dell will absolutely get more opportunities, as will Xavier Hutchinson, who came in for three targets after Collins left. Also expected back for Houston is Joe Mixon, who is desperately needed.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Gardner Minshew #15 of the Las Vegas Raiders drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Raiders @ Broncos:
I really like what I’m seeing out of Denver right now, as the Broncos are on a three-game winning streak. Bo Nix threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns and should have had another touchdown to Troy Franklin, who dropped an open pass in the end zone. Moreover, the Broncos play very aggressive defense, and their defense can be started every week. The Raiders are a bit of a mess. Gardner Minshew was benched in the second half after only throwing for 137 yards and two interceptions. It’ll be interesting to see if Antonio Pierce makes a change and goes with Aidan O’Connell as his quarterback next week. Brock Bowers had eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, and Jacobi Meyers had six receptions for 72 yards. I think the Raiders are in big trouble because they are likely going to trade Davante Adams shortly, and without him, I am not sure where the points will come from.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 14: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball to score a 7 yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Levi’s Stadium on January 14, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Giants @ Seahawks:
This was one of the most surprising results of the entire slate. The Giants played outstanding football both on offense and defense. They ran the ball 34 times for 175 yards, including Tyrone Tracy, who had 18 carries for 129 yards. I think he has absolutely made a case for more touches, even when Devin Singletary returns. Darius Slayton played the Malik Nabers role and had eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown and looked phenomenal. All the credit must go to Daniel Jones as well who had 257 passing yards and two passing touchdowns to go along with 38 rushing yards. The Giants defense had 7 sacks, putting Geno Smith under siege all game long. The shocking result was that Seattle could not muster any offense. Smith not only threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, but he also ran for 72 yards, which is shocking considering Kenneth Walker only had five carries for 19 yards. DK Metcalf had four receptions for 55 yards, and Seattle was never in this game. What’s concerning for Seahawks fans is they play San Francisco on a short week next Thursday in a must-win game for both teams.