NFL Week 5: Tom Brady Returns; Vikings Stay Undefeated
Legend tells of a warrior, one betrayed by all those around him (especially his commissioner), who will return to wreak havoc and exact sweet vengeance on all those who wronged him.
And that is exactly what Tom Brady did to the poor, hapless Cleveland Browns (0-5) in his first game back from a four-game suspension, the punishment for the Deflategate scandal. Brady passed for over 400 yards and threw three touchdowns as the Patriots (4-1) rolled to a victory against a Browns team that is still searching for its first victory of the season (if it ever comes). The 33-13 thrashing is a message to the rest of the NFL: Brady is back.
Speaking of the rest of the NFL, Week 5 began out in the desert, as the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) defeated their divisional rival, the San Francisco 49ers, 33-21 Thursday night. While the 49ers (1-4) might look to embattled backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a jump-start to their offense, they had no answer for running back David Johnson, who ran (and caught) like a man possessed all game:
Feed. David. Johnson. ?
??: https://t.co/uYKwzdd9JF
?: @nfloncbs #TNF #AZvsSF https://t.co/5FiQTRH5K8— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2016
The Detroit Lions (2-3) handed the Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) their first loss of the season, as Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford picked the Eagles’ defense apart with short, accurate throws. The Eagles found their way back in the lead, but a late Matt-Prater field goal sealed the deal for the Lions, 24-23. Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz had been sensational through four weeks, but we all knew it wouldn’t last forever, as he threw his first interception of the season which would prove to be a difference-maker in this game:
Turns out @cj_wentz is human after all…
His first career INT. @Lions defense comes up HUGE!! #PHIvsDET https://t.co/XCPbnpvRjh
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 9, 2016
Offense won the day in Denver, as the Atlanta Falcons (4-1) handed the Denver Broncos (4-1) their first loss of the season, 23-16. Considering it was the vaunted Falcon offense going up against the stingy Denver defense, it was surprising to see Atlanta’s defense asserting itself, as rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch (thrust into the starter role due to Trevor Siemian’s non-throwing shoulder injury) was under duress all game. On the other side of the ball, running back Tevin Coleman put on a show today:
Matt Ryan ➡️ Tevin Coleman = @AtlantaFalcons TD.
Tune in LIVE on @SkySports 2 now!#OnlyInTheNFL ? https://t.co/vSDPmgJWRZ
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) October 9, 2016
The Minnesota Vikings (5-0) continued their dominance this season, crushing the Houston Texans (3-2) 31-13 and solidifying their spot as the last remaining undefeated team. The Texans could do nothing against the relentless Vikings defense, scoring their only touchdown late in the fourth quarter when the game was already in the bag. Quarterback Sam Bradford found another reliable target in receiver Adam Thielen, and if this is a sign of an offense still evolving, watch out:
Bradford.
Thielen.
Six.#HOUvsMIN #SKOLhttps://t.co/sKfNKw93Bc— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 9, 2016
The San Diego Chargers continue to find new ways to lose games. It is amazing to think that a team that has averaged over 29 points and has led in the fourth quarter in every single game this season is 1-4. This time, a fumbled snap on a potential game-tying field goal gave the ball back to the Oakland Raiders with two minutes left in the game. A botched Hail Mary attempt by the Chargers and suddenly, the Raiders are 4-1:
.@Chargers have a chance to tie the game…
Snap is fumbled. @RAIDERS RECOVER. Oakland is now 4-1! #RaiderNation https://t.co/agqIBtSyud
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 9, 2016
Here are the rest of Sunday’s results, along with fantasy football stars:
Arizona Cardinals (2-3) def. San Francisco 49ers (1-4) 33-21
Fantasy Star: David Johnson – 27 carries, 157 rushing yards, two touchdowns; three catches, 28 receiving yards
Washington Redskins (3-2) def. Baltimore Ravens (2-3) 16-10
Fantasy Star: Jamison Crowder – three catches, 33 yards; two punt returns, one touchdown.
New England Patriots (4-1) def. Cleveland Browns (0-5) 33-13
Fantasy Star: Tom Brady – 28/40 for 406 yards and three touchdowns; two carries, 14 rushing yards.
Detroit Lions (2-3) def. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) 24-23
Fantasy Star: Matthew Stafford – 19/25 for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts (2-3) def. Chicago Bears (1-4) 29-23
Fantasy Star: T.Y. Hilton – 10 catches, 171 yards, one touchdown.
Tennessee Titans (2-3) def. Miami Dolphins (1-4) 30-17
Fantasy Star: Marcus Mariota – 20/29 for 163 yards and three touchdowns; seven rushes, 60 yards, one touchdown.
Minnesota Vikings (5-0) def. Houston Texans (3-2) 31-13
Fantasy Star: Adam Thielen – seven catches, 127 yards, one touchdown.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) def. New York Jets (1-4) 31-13
Fantasy Star: Ben Roethlisberger – 34/47 for 380 yards and four touchdowns.
Atlanta Falcons (4-1) def. Denver Broncos (4-1) 23-16
Fantasy Star: Tevin Coleman – six rushes, 31 yards; four catches, 132 yards, one touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys (4-1) def. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) 28-14
Fantasy Star: Ezekiel Elliot – 15 rushes, 134 yards, two touchdowns; three catches, 37 yards.
Buffalo Bills (3-2) def. Los Angeles Rams (3-2) 30-19
Fantasy Star: LeSean McCoy – 18 rushes, 150 yards; two catches, eight yards.
Oakland Raiders (4-1) def. San Diego Chargers (1-4) 34-31
Fantasy Star: Amari Cooper – six catches, 138 yards, one touchdown.
Green Bay Packers (3-1) def. New York Giants (2-3) 23-16
Fantasy Star: Davante Adams – five catches, 85 yards, one touchdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) def. Carolina Panthers (1-4) 17-14
Fantasy Star: nine catches, 181 yards.
