NFL Week 5 Winners and Losers: Sean McDermott’s Critical Error

Another week of football is upon us as only the Chiefs and Saints remain to play on Monday night.

That said, it’s time to take a look at some of the winners and losers from Week 5, highlighted by Bills coach Sean McDermott and his decision-making at the end of the game.

The Bills coach acknowledged his responsibility for Josh Allen blowing up three times late in the game even though it was tied, rather than allowing time to expire to force OT.

The decision allowed the Texans to get the ball back and win on a 59-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

There’s no telling how it would have turned out had they reached overtime, but the decision-making this late in the game is hard to ignore, especially when it directly leads to the Bills’ demise.

Week 5 winners

Jaguars

A win is a win, and while the Jaguars came up just short against the Colts on Sunday, they did just that and ultimately picked up their first win of the season.

We thank Trevor Lawrence for his best game of the season, completing 28 of 34 pass attempts for 371 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The Jags’ QB moved the Jacksonville offense down the field on eight plays, with the game tied at 34, and set up the game-winning 49-yard field goal.

Isaiah Simmons

The Giants veteran had one of the best plays in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks. The block he had on Jason Myers’ 47-yard field goal attempt sealed the Giants’ victory as Bryce Ford-Wheaton was able to pick up the loose ball and run it back 60 yards for a touchdown late in the game achieve.

Simmons seemed to enjoy the moment after the game as he told reporters, “Just being able to go out there and call it what it is, win the game for the team, shoot, that felt good.”

Those who tuned in to Ravens-Bengals

The rival AFC North gave football fans a very exciting game that had a little bit of everything as Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson put in two electrifying performances and the game ended in a dramatic finish in favor of the Ravens.

Losers from week 5

Aaron Rodgers

Jets fans have gotten used to misery, especially in recent seasons, but with Aaron Rodgers healthy, there was optimism that things would be different this year. But Sunday’s loss across the pond dropped the Jets to 2-3, and Rodgers didn’t look great in the loss. Rodgers seemed out of sync with his receivers and three interceptions on the day didn’t help anyone.

Panthers

The mood in Carolina probably isn’t great, no matter who is at quarterback. Andy Dalton earned a win in his first start, replacing sophomore Bryce Young, but Carolina has now lost two straight games after being throttled 36-10 by the Bears. The loss is a harsh reminder of the ill-fated trade between the Bears and Panthers before the 2023 NFL Draft, in which Carolina received the No. 1 pick that became Young. Chicago received the No. 1 pick that year, which included Caleb Williams and star receiver DJ Moore. The duo combined for two touchdowns on Sunday.