Sunday NFL Recap Week 5
Scoring, scoring, and more scoring! Nine different teams scored at least 30 points this Sunday, with Caleb Williams, Joe Flacco, and Lamar Jackson all stealing headlines. As the 2024 NFL season hits the end of the “first quarter”, we reflect on the fantasy impact of each matchup. The following point total refers to a 4-point passing TD, standard PPR format.
Vikings 23 Jets 17
The Vikings put their undefeated record on the line in an overseas affair, and they seized the day in a nail-biter. Justin Jefferson (15.2 PTS) led Minnesota’s offense with 6 receptions for 92 yards, but there was potential for more, considering he saw 14 targets. Garrett Wilson (29.1 PTS) capitalized on his team-high 22 targets. He took advantage of being in a pass-heavy offense that was working from behind for the majority of this contest. The Vikings remain as one of two undefeated teams in the league.
Bears 36 Panthers 10
Potential met execution for a Bears team that has dumped a hefty investment into their offense the last two years. DJ Moore (27.5 PTS), who the Bears acquired (among other pieces) in a trade where they dealt the Panthers their 2023 1st round pick, reeled in five receptions for a pair of touchdowns. Caleb Williams (23.56 PTS) put up his second 300-yard game in the last three tries. The Bears 36 points was also a season-high for Shane Waldron’s offense. Chuba Hubbard (17.5 PTS) braved the storm of a lackluster offensive effort from Carolina.
Ravens 41 Bengals 38 (OT)
In a contest that took extra time, a pair of AFC North rivals combined for 79 points. Not only that, but Baltimore and Cincinnati joined forces for 962 total yards of offense. Lamar Jackson (33.42 PTS) continues to show up as a top quarterback, tossing four touchdowns and logging over 400 yards on his own. Joe Burrow (33.78 PTS) tossed five touchdowns, but his performance came in a losing effort. Ja’Marr Chase (41.3 PTS) put on an absolute show, however, the Bengals have now lost four of their first five.
Dolphins 15 Patriots 10
The Dolphins and Patriots served as a scoring outlier, as both sides struggled to find a rhythm on offense. While it’s hard to come by impressive fantasy totals in a matchup like this, DeMario Douglas (11.9 PTS) has now put up at least 50 receiving yards in two of the last three games. Tyreek Hill (12.9 PTS) had 69 receiving yards, his highest total since week one. Jaylen Wright logged 13 rushes for 86 yards and joined the club (alongside Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane) of productive Miami running backs.
Commanders 34 Browns 13
Jayden Daniels’ impressive rookie year continues, as the LSU alum has given Washington as many wins this year (4) as they had all of last season. Daniels (19.72 PTS) completed multiple passes to five different receivers. Terry McLaurin (15.4 PTS) led Washington’s receiving effort with a team-high 112 yards. The Commanders held a 24-3 lead heading into the break and never looked back.
Jaguars 37 Colts 34
It took five tries, but the Jaguars became the final team to enter the win column in 2024. Despite losing the turnover battle, Jacksonville found a variety of ways to move the ball down the field with effectiveness. Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (25.9 PTS) had a breakout game and continued to eat away at Travis Etienne Jr. ‘s (12.0 PTS) workload. Colts receiver Alec Pierce (22.4 PTS) reeled in three receptions for 133 yards, including a 65-yard score to tie the game with just under three minutes left. The Jags will aim to take this momentum across the pond when they play the Bears in London next week.
Texans 23 Bills 20
Two of the AFC’s fiercest contenders clashed in week 5, and the showdown was as advertised. Nico Collins (15.8 PTS) took a pair of receptions for 78 yards and a score before suffering a hamstring injury. CJ Stroud (15.94 PTS) has now thrown for 300 yards in back-to-back contests. James Cook (17.9 PTS) continues to dominate touches, and he tallied 20 of them on the ground despite the Bills’ losing effort. The Texans improved to an astounding 4-1 record, with their lone blemish coming against the undefeated Vikings in week 3. They’ll take on the Patriots in week 6.
Broncos 34 Raiders 18
Patrick Surtain II’s 100-yard pick six was the momentum shifter in this one. Just a week removed from throwing for 60 total yards in a 10-9 win over the Jets, Bo Nix (23.14 PTS, 206 pass yds, 2 TD) and this Broncos offense also logged their best game yet. Javonte Williams (16.1 PTS) led the team in rushing and receiving with 111 all-purpose yards. Gardner Minshew also exited the game for Aidan O’Connell for the second time this season. With the Davante Adams saga continuing, the waters appear murky in Las Vegas.
Cardinals 24 49ers 23
The Cardinals are two victories away from their win total (4) in 2023, while the 49ers are now two losses away from last season’s loss total (4). San Francisco took a 23-10 lead into the locker room and seemingly had the game in hand. However, a pair of Chad Ryland field goals, a touchdown and a two-point conversion later, and the Cardinals pulled off a stunner on the road. Kyler Murray (24.1 PTS) had a touchdown through the air and on the ground. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk’s (22.7 PTS) superb game will serve as a mere silver lining for a 49ers team that came up short against their division foe.
Packers 24 Rams 19
After Jordan Love threw a pick-six to give the Rams a 13-7 lead in the second quarter, the Packers scored 17 of the game’s last 23 points to get above .500 on the season. Tucker Kraft (24.8 PTS) broke out and provided a spark with his 66-yard touchdown catch, highlighted by a brutal stiff arm. For Los Angeles, Kyren Williams (15.5 PTS) has now rushed for a touchdown in all five games. A bye week could not have happened at a better time for a Rams squad that desperately needs to get healthy.
Giants 29 Seahawks 20
After starting the season out at 3-0, the Seahawks have now dropped back-to-back contests. Daniel Jones (22.08 PTS) logged his third multi-touchdown game of the season and gave the Giants plenty of life on offense. Darius Slayton (26.2 PTS) led New York’s receiving attack, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (14.0 PTS, 129 rush yds) stepped up in Devin Singletary’s absence. Veteran signal caller Geno Smith (22.56 PTS) did all that he could, even leading his team’s rushing attack with 72 yards, but New York’s offense was far too much in this one.
Cowboys 20 Steelers 17
This primetime battle did not disappoint, with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys getting the last laugh on a go-ahead score with 20 seconds to play. Rico Dowdle (19.4 PTS) put up a season-high 87 rushing yards with a receiving touchdown, as the fourth-year talent made his case to be the future of Dallas’ backfield. Jalen Tolbert (21.7 PTS), who caught the final score of the game, has scored at least 10 fantasy PTS in three of the last four games. Consider him a waiver wire pickup candidate heading into week 6. Meanwhile, Justin Fields (15.94 PTS) continued to play turnover-free football, but the Steelers came up just short.
With week 5 giving us a greater idea of the 2024 data, look out for patterns and new storylines that build during a new season. Some of the best performers of this season may even be a free agent in most leagues. Stay tuned for our week 5 recap next Monday.
