NFL WEEK 5 TAKEAWAYS: JAMAR CHASE IS HIM
Travis Etienne the NFL player had himself a day on Sunday. The Jacksonville running back went off for 2 rushing touchdowns and over 180 total yards from scrimmage, leading the team to two straight wins in London. Travis Etienne the fantasy football manager wasn’t quite as excited. Etienne actually played a team with him on the roster. Unless he was starting Jamar Chase, there’s a good chance he lost this week’s matchup.
As for me, for the first week this year, I swept all four teams I manage or co-manage.
Please, please, hold your applause.
These are my takeaways from Week 5 of the NFL season.
Jamar Chase IS the Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow finally fell out of his slump this season, but only due to his #1 receiver going absolutely off. Burrow hasn’t seemed himself in 2023. His calf has obviously been hampering him since Week 1, when Chase even publicly asked Burrow to not return until he was fully healthy. This plea seemed to be appreciated, but ultimately ignored, which led the Bengals to a disappointing 1-3 start to the season. Chase recently expressed his frustration to the media, saying he‘s “always f****** open”. In Week 5 against the Cardinals, he proved himself right. With 15 catches, 192 yards and three touchdowns, Chase reaffirmed his spot as one of the top pass-catchers in the NFL, looking explosive in his connection with Burrow once again. But his words from the preseason still ring true, with Head Coach Zac Taylor venting after the game that he had wished Burrow had scrambled less and thrown the ball away more. If this game taught the Bengals anything, it was that getting the ball in the hands of Jamar Chase must be your first and foremost priority.
The Lamar Jackson Could Use Some Help
The only thing the Ravens needed on Sunday against the Steelers was a hand. Or a pair of them. Preferably a good set. With seven drops, including two bad ones in the end zone on the same drive. Even the usually sure-handed Mark Andrews had two drops. Simply put, Lamar Jackson had no help in the offense. Not to take anything away from the Steelers . They played like the classic AFC North defense that they are and TJ Watt was a menace on the field. But their offense left the door open for the Ravens offense, to which they politely said “no thank you”. The Ravens have injuries all over the field, but, notably, not at receiver (previous to Odell Beckham Jr. going down in the 2nd Quarter in Sunday’s game). The AFC North is anyone’s game at this point. The Browns’, Steelers’, and Ravens’ defenses are some of the top in the league, and the Bengals’ offense might be on the precipice of being back to their old selves. With every team at 2 or 3 wins, they might be the most exciting division in the NFL (if you don’t watch their offenses too closely).
The Patriots are in a Very Unfamiliar Situation
The Caleb Williams lottery has a few teams in the running. The Patriots should be licking their chops, but with only 5 weeks of the season having past, it’s not necessarily a position they want to be in. Speaking of which, if Robert Kraft is looking to replace Mac Jones sooner than later, Bill Belichick would probably be the toughest head coach in the NFL to convince. But that is putting the cart before the horse, considering there is still 13 weeks left in the regular season and a lot of things could change before then. One thing is for certain, the Patriots offense is anemic. Rhamondre Stevenson is averaging an abysmal 2.8 yards per carry so far this season. Hunter Henry ended Sunday’s game against the Saints with no catches. No one in the Patriots’ wide receiver room has made any positive impression so far this season. After having the worst loss of his career two weeks in a row, Belichick seems… like Belichick. As grumpy as ever. Considering their only win was against a Zach Wilson-led New York Jets, New England fans are in for a long year. Hope they enjoy staying up late on Saturday nights for PAC-12 After Dark.
Your Fullback Moment of the Week
Nothing gets me more pumped than a fullback showing his speed. We might be bowling balls, but if you give a bowling ball some room to build momentum, we can get rolling. Keith Smith’s 28 yard reception on a seam route from the I-formation was something to behold, and not something I’ve seen before. We can get excited by a rail route on the backside of a play action rollout the opposite direction of our route juuust on the off chance everyone forgets about us and the QB scrambles back our way. I love Head Coach Arthur Smith’s trust in his fullback’s speed and the creativity to put him in that spot of the field. Desmond Ridder looked impressive for the first time this season, leading the Falcons to a game winning drive in the final minute of the 4th quarter. They’re definitely led by their defense, but if Ridder can continue to find his weapons (Keith Smith included), Atlanta could be a threat in the NFC South.
My Final Take…
The Los Angeles Rams will make the playoffs in the wildcard spot. In my first takeaway column, I claimed the Rams as my dark horse candidate to make the Super Bowl this year. With possibly the best wide receiver core in the NFL, led by still-a-star Cooper Kupp, one of the (somehow) more underrated QBs in the league in Matthew Stafford, and Kyren Williams being incredibly solid at running back, this offense will prove to be near the top of the NFL come the end of the season.
