Twenty-three NFL games decided by a single score in the last two weeks? That’s tied for the most in league history over any two-week stretch, and if that doesn’t scream “underdog city,” I don’t know what does! This season has been wild already, with favorites dropping like flies, and it’s making for some seriously unpredictable football. Last week alone, we saw the Texans, Lions, and Saints all fall short as expected winners, while the Cowboys, Panthers, and Falcons pulled off some sweet upsets. If you thought the chaos was over, think again, because Week 5 is looking like it’s going to throw even more curveballs, especially with a few home underdogs ready to shock the road favorites.
The Patriots’ Bounce-Back Could Be Their Undoing
So, the New England Patriots just snagged their biggest win of the season, heading up to Buffalo and knocking off the Bills to claw their way to a 2-2 record. You could almost hear the collective sigh of relief in Foxborough, right? Things felt like they were in freefall, but that win? It definitely stabilized the ship, at least for a minute. But here’s the kicker: this feels like a classic letdown spot. You ride that emotional high, you get that monumental victory, and then you face a hungry team that just had their own undefeated run snapped.
Enter the Las Vegas Raiders. They were cruising at 3-0 before the Kansas City Chiefs knocked them off last week, but honestly, Vegas hung tough. That defeat didn’t expose them as some kind of fluke, not at all. They are coming into Gillette Stadium ready to make the Patriots sweat, big time. Why? These Raiders are bringing the heat, ranking sixth in the entire NFL in pressure rate at a blistering 42.5% and fifth in sack rate at 8.7%. And let’s talk about Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Yeah, he looked better against Buffalo’s pressure last week, but the dude has struggled when under duress overall and has a real knack for turning the ball over. If that happens again, Raiders QB Kirk Cousins, who’s already tied for the league lead with 11 passing touchdowns, is absolutely going to feast.
Green Bay’s Season Is On The Brink At Lambeau
Over in the NFC North, get ready for what could be the most important game of the season for the Green Bay Packers. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say a home loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 5 would be an absolute gut punch. It would drop them to a dismal 2-3 for the season and, more critically for tiebreaker scenarios later on, put them at 0-2 in the NFC North. That’s the kind of hole you just don’t crawl out of, no matter who’s coming back from injury.
The Packers are admittedly flawed, we all know that, but with their backs against the wall like this, you have to expect them to throw everything they’ve got at the Bears. And Chicago? They’re still banged up. Their starting quarterback, Caleb Williams, is still out with that hamstring injury, meaning Tyson Bagent is set to get the start. That’s a huge factor when you’re talking about a team fighting for their life on their home turf.
Get ready for some nail-biting finishes this weekend. These games aren’t just about wins and losses, they’re about setting the tone for the season. Keep your eyes glued, because you might just see history repeat itself with another wave of upsets!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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