NFL Week 5 is just around the corner with the 2021 season flying by. The action kicks off on Thursday Night Football with a compelling NFC West clash between the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams. With so many compelling games, we could see quite a few surprises.
The theme for Week 5 might be great defensive performances. The Buffalo Bills have a chance to make a statement against the Kansas City City and two of the best defenses in the NFL are facing abysmal offenses. When all the action wraps up, there could be quite a few headlines that will have the football world buzzing.
Let’s dive into our bold predictions for NFL Week 5.
Los Angeles Rams destroy the Seattle Seahawks
It’s very possible Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams needed a reality check on Sunday. After a strong start, quarterback Matthew Stafford got too focused on Cooper Kupp and completed just 5-of-13 targets in his direction. Both the Rams and Seattle Seahawks will only have a few days to prepare, meaning there should be some fireworks on Thursday Night Football.
Los Angeles will deploy Jalen Ramsey in the slot, largely erasing Tyler Lockett. With one st receiver covered, the Rams can put a safety over the top on DK Metcalf. That leaves Aaron Donald and the Rams’ defensive line to attack. We saw how that went in 2020, with Russell Wilson sacked 16 times in three meetings.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Rams, check out #RamsHouse rumors, rankings, and news here.
All of that should give the Rams a defensive edge on Thursday night. Turning our focus to the offense, Seattle hasn’t proven all years its secondary lacks the depth and talent to match up with great teams. When the final whistle blows, the Rams could win by multiple scores.
New England Patriots defense outscores the Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills had one of the worst starts by a rookie in recent memory. He threw four interceptions against the Buffalo Bills, finishing with an atrocious 0.8 QBR and needing a final drive down 40-0 to avoid finishing with 50 passing yards. Sadly for him, NFL Week 5 might be even worse.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mills Mills attempted just two deep passes (both incomplete) against Buffalo and only completed 40% of his throws between 10-19 yards. Bill Belichick, who has earned a reputation for scheming up defenses to terrorize rookie quarterbacks, is going to draw up a game plan that will take away Brandin Cooks and make facing the Patriots a living nightmare for Mills.
Coming off a game that saw Houston’s offense commit five turnovers and scored zero points, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if one Patriots’ defensive touchdown beats the Texans.
Denver Broncos shut out Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field
This is a matchup nightmare for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ve seen in the first quarter of the season that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can’t be trusted to make throws beyond 15 yards. He’ll face the Denver Broncos on Sunday, who boast arguably the best secondary in the NFL and an upper-echelon pass rush.
Whether Chase Claypool (hamstring) plays or not, the Broncos have the depth to cover all of Pittsburgh’s receivers. Von Miller is going to exploit the weaknesses on the edges of the Steelers’ offensive line, making life even more miserable for Big Ben. Under constant pressure with an absent rushing attack and his inability to throw with touch, Denver can shut out Big Ben and Co.
Kansas City Chiefs suffer double-digit loss at home
There’s nothing NBC and the NFL would love more than a shootout on Sunday Night Football. The primetime matchups have all been close this year and a rematch of the AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, but there’s reason to believe it could be a lopsided game.
Entering NFL Week 5, Kansas City’s defense is allowing an average 104.1 passer rating to quarterbacks. On top of that, the Chiefs surrender the third-worst net yards per attempt (7.9) and have the sixth-lowest pressure rate (16.8%). They now face MVP candidate Josh Allen, All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs and slot specialist Cole Beasley.
The Bills should have very little trouble pushing towards 30-plus points in this game. But the reason for a potential blowout is Buffalo’s defense. Leslie Frazier’s group is allowing the fewest yards per play (4.0), surrenders just a 56.1 passer rating and boasts the second-highest pressure rate (30.1%) in the NFL. Patrick Mahomes can do a lot, but Kansas City’s defense may cost them dearly.
Lamar Jackson dazzles on Monday Night Football
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson faced a daunting challenge in Week 4 against Denver’s defense. With the Broncos daring him to throw, he racked up 316 passing yards. The Colts aren’t remotely close to Denver’s talent level and even with an extra day of preparation, the 2019 NFL MVP is going to cause Indianapolis serious problems.
Check out the latest NFL injury report for Week 5
Baltimore’s top rookie, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, will likely make his debut in NFL Week 5. Even if he plays a reduced role, there’s a reason he drew Allen Robinson comps during the pre-draft process. Jackson is going to spread the wealth to Bateman, Sammy Watkins, Mark Andrew and Marquise Brown. When it’s all over, 250-plus passing yards, 80-plus rushing yards and at least three touchdowns.