2026 NFL Season Week 5 Review

  

Once again, this weekend kind of snuck up on me, and I forgot to do the preview.

So really quickly, below is my preview of the upcoming games for NFL 2026 week 5:

Jacksonville 19, Philadelphia 17 in London, UK - Well, this was a tight game which really could have gone either way. It remained close and went right down to the wire. But the only thing that people will remember with this game was the ending. It seemed like the Eagles scored the winning field goal with just eight seconds left on the clock. It put them up,17-16. Game over, right? Well, not exactly. The Jaguars got a solid kickoff which gave them a long field goal attempt on the game's final play. Jaguars placekicker Cam Little converted the 57-yard attempt successfully to steal this win from Philly, who now have dropped three straight games, as they fall to 2-3. Meanwhile, the Jaguars improve to 4-1 on the season. They stay in London this week with another game, this time against division rivals Houston, next Sunday. . My pick: Accurate

NY Giants 27, Washington 27 (OT) - Well, I was wrong about predicting that my G-Men would win this one. Yet, it was not a disaster, either. After all, they also did not lose. In fact, this felt closer to being half a win rather than half a loss. After all, Big Blue did not lose any ground to the host team, the Washington Commanders. And in fact, they actually gained ground against the Eagles and the Cowboys, both of whom lost this weekend. So in that sense, it actually felt like the Giants, who could just as easily have lost this one, actually walked away with something positive in the end. Both teams seemed to give away chances for winning this game. There was a controversial fumble by the G-Men late in the game which every Giants fan is talking about. Yet the bigger story in the sports world was how Washington seemed to be a little too relaxed, apparently unaware (or acting as if they were unaware) of just how little time was left right at the end of the game. The clock ran out, and just like the G-Men, the Commanders squandered an opportunity for a game-winning field goal attempt. But let me say this: the last time that I remember the Giants ending a game with a tie, it was also on the road against Washington, which seems to me a bit strange. Again, though, I will take it. Because again, it is better than just a loss. And the Giants, for now, not only remain in first place (have actually strengthened their hold on first place in the NFC East), but remain undefeated against division rivals to this point in the season. Not bad. My pick: Half right, half wrong

NY Jets 17, Cleveland 12 - Gang Green finally won a second game. They did it against the Browns, who look improved but are hardly the standard bearers of greatness themselves. Still, a win is a win, and the Jets earned it, improving to 2-3 on the season. Cleveland, meanwhile, falls to 3-2.. My pick: Inaccurate

Pittsburgh 34, Indianapolis 22 - This felt entirely predictable. The Colts were in a bit of a hot streak with two straight wins. But going to the Steel City is always tough. They just ran out of gas and see their winning streak end, as they fall to 2-3. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh improves to 3-2, and are in a three-way tie for second in the AFC North with Cincy and Cleveland, while Baltimore is first at 4-1.. My pick: Accurate

Green Bay 31, Chicago 7 - This also was very predictable. The Bears hardly feel like they are operating at full strength. Meanwhile, the Packers can be on again, off again depending on the week. But they are always tough at Lambeau, and dominated the Bears this weekend to prove it again. Both teams move to 3-2 on the year, tied with the Lions for second place, while the Vikings are in first at 5-0.. My pick: Accurate

Cincinnati 31, Miami 24 - The Bengals had lost two straight games, and seemed ready to get back to winning. Plus, let's face it, the Fins often are quite accommodating for teams desperately in need of a win. So Joe Burrow played very well, and the Bengals win to improve to 3-2. The Dolphins, meanwhile, remain winless at 0-5.. My pick: Accurate

Minnesota 23, New Orleans 13 - Thought that the Saints would get things together and pull off an upset. Instead, the Vikings played very impressively and improve to an impressive 5-0 record, remaining one of three undefeated teams remaining so far this season. Not many people are really surprised that the 49ers or Chiefs are undefeated. But the Vikings? That is a surprise. Meanwhile, the Saints fall to 1-4 with their fourth straight loss of the season.. My pick: Inaccurate

Houston 26, Tennessee 3 - The Texans felt like the better team. So this was not surprising. They absolutely needed a win, and they sure earned one on this weekend in dominating fashion. The Texans improve to 1-4 on the year, while the Titans fall to 0-5. My pick: Accurate

New England 45, Las Vegas 17 - The Raiders may be improved, but it was hard to imagine them beating the Chiefs last weekend, or the Pats on the road this weekend. Indeed, New England looked like the Patriots of old, during the Belichick/Brady era. They absolutely rolled over the Raiders for a dominant win to improve to 3-2, while the Raiders fall to 3-2.. My pick: Accurate

Denver 23, LA Chargers 17 - Denver took care of business, scoring 13 unanswered points to keep the Chargers winless at 0-5. I kept thinking that the Chargers were better than their record indicates. But the reality is, they are 0-5 now for a reason. It is the worst start in coach Jim Harbaugh's career on any level. Meanwhile, the Broncos keep hanging tough in the AFC West, looking like a real contender and a team that can handle adversity with this comeback divisional road win.. My pick: Inaccurate

San Francisco 32, Seattle 29 - The 49ers now look like one of the true elite teams, if not possibly the best team overall to this point. The season is still young, but this was their most impressive win to date, exacting revenge for their two crucial losses in Seattle last season with a big road win to open up a two game lead in the NFC West. San Francisco remains unbeaten and improves to 5-0, while the Seahawks fall to 3-2 on the season.. My pick: Inaccurate

Detroit 45, Arizona 21 - The Lions needed this one. They have some solid talent on offense, and the Cardinals leaky and vulnerable defense was just what they needed. Detroit's offense looked unstoppable in putting up 45 points, sometimes looking spectacular while doing it. With the win, the Lions improve to 3-2 on the season. Meanwhile, the Cardinals fall to 1-4 with their fourth straight loss, and their defense is looking like it might be a serious contender for worst defense in the entire league at this point.. My pick: Accurate

Sunday Night Football: Baltimore 30, Atlanta 23 (OT) - A good game that more or less went down the way most of us would have expected. Both teams came into this one hot. The hometown Falcons had won two impressive games in a row, while the Ravens were looking to gain sole possession of first place in the AFC North division with a win. It went back and forth and went into overtime. In the end, the Ravens came up with the goods, although both teams showed solid play and can feel good about some things from this game. Nevertheless, the Ravens now are 4-1 while Atlanta falls to 2-3.. My pick: Accurate

Monday Night Football: Buffalo 37, LA Rams 34 (OT) - What a wild shootout! Back and forth it went. First it seemed like the Bills would do it, then the Rams went on a roll. Then Buffalo took over again, before the Rams came back to force overtime. In the end, the Bills managed the win in OT, just barely. One of the most entertaining games of the season thus far. Buffalo improves to 4-1 on the season, while the Rams fall to 2-3 with this loss.. My pick: Inaccurate