While the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings make headlines as the last two unbeatens, the Washington Commanders have vaulted into the top four.
Somehow, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown for six touchdowns versus six interceptions, and his team is still unbeaten. Kansas City’s defense has been key to the team’s success with 17 points and 312.8 yards allowed per game.
The Vikings avoided scares with running back Aaron Jones’ hip injury and a comeback by the New York Jets. Minnesota meanwhile has a historically good defense through five games.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to shine, but he has taken significant hits amid 14 sacks this season. Defensively, the Texans are stellar against the pass with 154 yards allowed per game, and the pass rush has garnered 15 sacks.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels vaulted the Commanders into the top four and the postseason conversation. The Commanders boast the most explosive offense in the league with 31 points per game behind Daniels who has four passing and four rushing touchdowns.
Buffalo bounced back from a Week 4 embarrassment in some ways but fell short against the Texans in Week 5. The Bills have the inside track for the AFC East crown.
The Lions get a big road test after a bye week against the Cowboys. Lions quarterback Jared Goff can attempt an encore to his Monday Night Football performance against a Cowboys defense that hasn’t given up more than 17 points in a game since Week 3.
The Ravens keep winning behind Lamar Jackson’s high-flying play. Baltimore also came up with the defense needed for an epic overtime victory in Cincinnati before a showdown with the Commanders.
San Francisco bounced back on Thursday Night Football against the Seahawks, and Christian McCaffrey could come back healthy eventually. The 49ers get a big test next against the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch.
Tampa Bay will play with heavy hearts against the Saints amid Hurricane Milton, and the Buccaneers remain banged up. In addition, the Buccaneers face a big, physical rival right after a tough division loss in overtime to the Falcons.
Pittsburgh came up short against the Cowboys as questions persisted about quarterback play. Justin Fields remains the starter for now, but Russell Wilson is getting healthy.
Green Bay bounced back from a loss to the Vikings and held off the Rams in a tight game. Packers quarterback Jordan Love is only completing 56.1 percent of his passes, but he already has eight touchdown passes in three games played.
The Seahawks suddenly have a three-game skid after an unbeaten start to the season. Where the answers will come remains to be seen, especially with a defense that gave up 36 points one week and a perfect game by a quarterback the week before.
The Eagles come out of the bye with a struggling Browns squad. However, Philadelphia got dominated by the Buccaneers the last time out.
Atlanta can take hold of the NFC South with a win against the Panthers. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is going strong with a 67.2 percent completion rate for 1,373 yards and eight touchdowns versus five interceptions.
Denver has three-straight wins and rookie quarterback Bo Nix is making progress. He produced his best game as a pro against the Raiders with a 70.4 percent completion rate for 206 yards and two touchdowns versus no picks.
Dallas will look to build on back-to-back wins with or without injured linebacker Micah Parsons. The Cowboys’ defense has been otherwise solid the past two weeks, but the Lions will provide a much bigger test than the Steelers or Giants.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams keeps ascending, and Chicago looks like a threat in a loaded NFC North. The Bears defense has held every opponent under 22 points this season.
The Jets are in turmoil amid coaching changes, which included the firing of Robert Saleh. New York will need to regroup during the bye week.
New Orleans will have a quick change at quarterback amid the injury to Derek Carr against the Chiefs. Rookie Spencer Rattler will take over an offense that has declined since a hot start in the first two weeks of the season.
Los Angeles gets a tough challenge in division rival Denver after the bye week. Despite the extra time off, questions remain surrounding quarterback Justin Herbert’s injury status.
Cincinnati arguably has the best 1—4 team in the league as quarterback Joe Burrow continues to play at a high level. The Bengals have the Giants, Browns, and Raiders in three of the next four games amid a chance to get back to a winning record.
Colts quarterback Joe Flacco is dominating again after his 359-yard performance against the Jaguars. The Colts, however, will need to make up for the loss of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Arizona heated up and turned heads with a big win at San Francisco. The Cardinals get a chance to prove it wasn’t a fluke amid a visit to Green Bay next.
Las Vegas still has a slew of injuries, but the Raiders face a meager offense in the Steelers next. The Raiders defense has been giving up 26.2 points per game this season.
Cleveland doesn’t have enough answers amid a slow start, and the Browns can’t keep quarterback Deshaun Watson upright amid 26 sacks. The Browns defense has slipped, too, amid 24.2 points allowed per game.
Los Angeles gets a shot to inch closer to .500 with the Raiders next, but the Rams are still beset by a slew of injuries. That now includes quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been dealing with back issues.
The Giants have won two of their last three games but face a desperate but explosive Bengals team next. New York’s defense gives up 20.8 points and 342.4 total yards per game.
Miami found a way out of its losing streak with a tight win against the Patriots. The Dolphins have a bye week but nothing set in stone yet for injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s future.
Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye makes his debut against a struggling Jaguars squad. The Patriots haven’t won since a Week 1 upset of the Bengals.
Tennessee returns from the bye without a solution at quarterback, and the Titans face the Flacco-led Colts next. The Titans have given up 22.5 points and 261.5 yards per game this season.
Quarterback Andy Dalton remains the starter, but the Panthers haven’t won with him under center the last two times out. Carolina’s defense meanwhile remains porous amid 33 points allowed per game.
Jacksonville has been able to put up points the past two weeks, but that could get tougher against the Bears. The Jaguars defense meanwhile has been giving up 28.6 points per contest.
