NFL Week Five Winners and Losers

Week five in the NFL had a lot of thrills, jaw-dropping surprises and hair-pulling moments. Some of the best games of 2025 were played yesterday. Audiences found out which teams may be legitimate contenders and which ones could be one and done if they reach the playoffs. Here are this weeks’ winners and losers.

Winners: C.J. Stroud IV

Houston’s offense was unwatchable most of September. The Texans lone win entering Sunday was a shutout against what many considered the worst team in Tennessee. If Houston wanted to turn the tide on their season, they needed a win and for the offense to play well. Both happened Sunday.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud IV had a great game against one of the league’s worst defenses. Stroud completed 23 of 27 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and a 143.9 passer rating. His third touchdown pass gave Houston a 21 point lead and put the game out of reach late in the second quarter.

There were growing worries about C.J. Stroud’s regression. The last two weeks showed that if Houston’s offensive line can beat opposing defensive fronts, Stroud is still one of the league’s best quarterbacks. It’s not surprising that the Texans’ two wins are when C.J. Stroud IV plays like the franchise quarterback many saw when he won Rookie of the Year.

Denver Broncos

While last week’s Winners and Losers admitted the AFC west as an overhyped division, many believed Denver was still a quality wildcard choice. After a stunning road win in Philadelphia, more people believe the Broncos are a serious division title and playoff contender.

Denver’s 18 point fourth quarter is a top performance for any team this season. The reigning champion Eagles dominated the first three quarters and there was no chance they would ease up entering the final 15 minutes. Not only did the Broncos turn the game around, they dominated Philadelphia on every side of the ball. Denver sacked quarterback Jalen Hurts six times throughout the game and forced four punts on six second half possessions.

The Broncos offense had three fourth quarter possessions that went over 3:30. Two had ten or more plays for at least 3:50. Head coach Sean Payton knew what quarterback Bo Nix and runningback J.K. Dobbins had to do and made sure the right plays were called each set of downs.

Not many teams can or have the talent to beat the Eagles in a 60 minute game. Fewer can do it in Philadelphia. Both of Denver’s losses now look like bad luck considering how well they have played the last two games.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Any attention analysts gave Washington in their matchup against Los Angeles either went to the return of sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels or how head coach Dan Quinn needed to make some tweaks to the defense. Nobody considered how the running game could help the Commanders get a pivotal win.

Seventh round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt almost single handedly won Washington a pivotal game against the Chargers. He ran 14 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt’s first score cut Los Angeles’ lead to three, and his second gave the Commanders their first lead of the day. He was such an issue that the Chargers defense started blitzing the run and eventually caused a fumble, (though Los Angeles didn’t get any points off the turnover).

Washington could have another offensive playmaker the rest of 2025. With Austin Ekeler on injured reserve and Chris Rodriguez Jr. a non-factor in almost every game since, the starting running back position is Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s to lose the rest of this season. He’ll be an interesting player to watch in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system.

The insane touchdown fumble recovery made by Tyler Lockett

In now what is the leading candidate for play of the year and most insane American football play you’ll see for 2025, veteran receiver Tyler Lockett scored his first touchdown as a Titan in what may be the most memorable of his career. There aren’t enough words to type what happened. Just watch it for yourself here.

Many viewers, including the CBS broadcasting crew, couldn’t believe what happened. Sports pundits throughout the country had a variety of reactions after the play, and many believe the series of errors was a big reason Arizona lost. It will be hard to find a stranger play this regular season.

Losers: AJ Cole and Spencer Shrader

Indianapolis dominated Las Vegas almost the entire game early afternoon Sunday, but there was a scare for both the Raiders punter and the Colts kicker when they both got whacked and had to leave the game.

Las Vegas punter AJ Cole faced a defensive onslaught after he punted at the end of a drive midway through the second quarter. Ian Thomas recovered the fumble, but Indianapolis got possession of the ball in the Raiders redzone. Cole wound up getting injured on the block and that was his only punt of the game.

After the Colts scored on an easy three yard touchdown from Jonathan Taylor, kicker Spencer Shrader made the extra point. A Vegas defender ran into Shrader’s kicking leg long after the extra point was in the air. While the Raiders took a penalty, that was the end of the game for Spencer Shrader. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported early Monday afternoon that Shrader suffered a season-ending knee injury on the play.

Both teams had kicking issues the rest of the afternoon. Las Vegas’ were worse since they had to try and convert a lot of two point conversions and fourth downs. Thankfully it didn’t seriously impact the game since Indianapolis won by double digits.

Brian Daboll

The Giants and their fans entered week five on a wave of optimism many hadn’t felt since last decade. Many believe rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will be the franchise quarterback for a long time. Viewers should have been more objective about Dart and the team given how there are a lot of positions lacking talent and proper coaching. Reality hit hard in a brutal loss Sunday.

New York started well and even led by double digits at one point in the first half. While New Orleans climbed back and took a two point lead at halftime, the Giants still looked the better team. Head coach Brian Daboll should have emphasized certain changes and how drives cannot end because of turnovers. Neither happened in the second half.

The Saints defense forced a turnover on every New York second half possession. The first two Giants possessions ended in fumbles recovered by New Orleans. One was returned by defensive back Jordan Howden for an 86 yard touchdown. Jaxson Dart threw two interceptions the next two possessions and threw a catchable ball through receiver Wan’Dale Robinson’s hands for a turnover on downs to end the game.

New York’s offense should get better the next few months but that was an ugly game offensive minded head coach Brian Daboll will want back if that winds up costing the Giants a playoff spot.

Seattle Seahawks defense

Sunday’s best game could have been the one that featured twin teams celebrating their 50th anniversary of playing in the league while wearing throwback uniforms. On one hand, the offensive shootout was entertaining, exhilarating and must-watch T.V. On the other, whichever team lost would have to take a serious look at the defensive lapses.

Seattle’s defense has been lauded by many analysts to be one of the league’s best this season. Despite how well the front four defensive linemen have played, more viewers are aware the Seahawks secondary is one of the league’s deepest. Although linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Devon Weatherspoon did not play Sunday, there was a lot of optimism the defense could make a lot of stops given how battered Tampa Bay’s offense was. That didn’t happen.

Seattle’s secondary allowed 29 of 33 completions and was shredded by rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka and veteran tight-end Cade Otton for a combined 244 yards. The front seven didn’t fare better. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was sacked once and although the runningbacks mustered 70 yards, the Seahawks defense gave up their first two rushing touchdowns of the season.

Cornerback Tariq Woolen was also concussed after he played well most of the first half. It didn’t help Seattle’s secondary had to be on the field more after the offense committed a few turnovers and gave Tampa’s offense favorable field position. Almost every elite defense has bad games, but this was a performance analysts could be talking about near the end of the season if the Seahawks playoff position and division-winning chances falters.

Buffalo Bills

Many believed Sunday night’s divisional matchup against Buffalo and New England would be great. While most believed the Patriots would make the game difficult for the Bills, almost no one thought the road team would win.

Buffalo was out-played almost the whole game. Outside of a Curtis Samuel touchdown where the Bills led by four, New England bullied Buffalo on every side of the ball. Head coach Mike Vrabel emulated his predecessor Bill Belichick and quarterback Drake Maye mirrored the play of franchise legend Tom Brady. The defense clouded quarterback Josh Allen’s downfield reads and didn’t give him any big plays. The Patriots’ game winning field goal and clock management caught Bills head coach Sean McDermott off-guard.

It’s not a terrible loss given how many viewers believe New England is a playoff candidate, but the standings are not in Buffalo’s favor. Indianapolis now has control of the AFC’s one seed and probably won’t lose another game for at least a month. Pittsburgh is a game behind but benefitted off a bye week and should look better the next few weeks. The Bills have to win almost every game in order to get the one seed and home field advantage. With Kansas City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New England (at Foxborough) and Tampa Bay on the schedule, that might not happen after a surprising Sunday night loss.