NFL Week 5 what we learned: From Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson’s brilliance to Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers’ misery

The 2024 NFL Week 5 has come to a close after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes showed why he is the best QB in the league despite a shortage of elite receivers.

On the other hand, Lamar Jackson might have some words about the best QB in the league conversation. Then there were others such as Aaron Rodgers, who looked bad.

Such were the games that took place from the third to the seventh of October that again fans of the game were unsure who would end up in the winning column. Some, such as the Minnesota Vikings and Derrick Henry, quietly went about their job. While others such as Kirk Cousins made their presence felt. Some tried their best to win, while upsets brought out new concerns.

Four teams had their chance to rest as their bye weeks kicked off. While three other teams will head into their bye’s next week with wins. The rest of the NFL teams work out as they try to wrap their heads around what went good and bad from their 2024 NFL Week 5 games.

Records tumble by the veteran hands

This category has to have Kirk Cousins at the top. The 36-year-old quarterback faced a lot of questions after his horror show in the opening week had fans questioning his play. But his NFL Week 5 performance against the fellow playoff-contending Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the highlight of the weekend. Throwing for 509 yards, it was more than enough to set a new Atlanta Falcons franchise record.

More importantly, he orchestrated drives in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead his teammates to a win. Cousins may have had the record-setting numbers, but Lamar Jackson was the one spinning the ‘Best QB in the league’ narrative. He did not outduel Joe Burrow but ended up with 348 yards and four passing touchdowns.

One of those TDs just happened to be a fumble recovery, delivering two stiff arms in a scramble to the sideline and throw off his back leg to TE Isaiah Likely. That touchdown was instrumental in bringing the game to within three and letting Justin Tucker do the rest.

The Chiefs still going undefeated

Another name usually associated with brilliance on the field is Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s end-of-game stats in NFL Week 5 did show an interception, but it was more JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s fault than the QB’s. Instead, it was smart quarterbacking at play from the 29-year-old. He did not resort to his flashy plays, except maybe that run where he juked two Saints defenders.

Instead, he spread the ball around to all his teammates who reported eligible. Smith-Schuster may have benefited the most, but everyone was being fed, as per the situation. That game management was enough to deter the Saints’ high-flying offense from having a chance. If that was head coach Andy Reid’s masterplan, another prominent old-school head coach has resorted to the same style of play for his young QB.

Denver Broncos HC Sean Payton, much maligned last season for his handling of Russell Wilson, has managed to help his rookie Bo Nix lead their team to a winning record. The rookie is growing in confidence and even showed his competitiveness when he argued with his coach over a drop.

Need for urgency kicking in New York and San Francisco

Every week one gets to see the good and bad of football. Now that we’ve talked about the good, how about we turn to how bad Aaron Rodgers looked against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defense has made mincemeat of all quarterbacks to date. But at least Rodgers, the four-time league MVP, was expected to fare differently.

Instead, he was harassed all night. Forcing the usually accurate and interception free Aaron Rodgers to three turnovers, one of them a pick-six. Those turnovers proved costly as the Vikings defense and running game glossed over Sam Darnold’s bad by this season’s standards game. But more importantly, it showed that the New York Jets and their superstar QB have a lot to work on.

The San Francisco 49ers had a concerning outing from Brock Purdy. His second interception of the game led to them finishing the night with a losing record. That too despite big games from Brandon Aiyuk and Jordan Mason. Is the over reliance on star players showing its ugly side?

No redemption at all for some ‘Super Bowl’ favorites

The 49ers struggles aside, none have had it worse than three 1-4 teams. These teams were expected to be contending for the Super Bowl this season. To start with, the Cincinnati Bengals, who are doing everything they can to disregard all the good work Joe Burrow is doing. Their defense looks lost as they have allowed close to a staggering 30 points each in their first five games.

Then there is the Los Angeles Rams, who have serious concerns all across their game. Head coach Sean McVay has a lot to think about as they head into their bye.

But none has had it worse than the Cleveland Browns. They have the defense to scare every team in the league, and an offense that is potent enough to score. Despite all that, it is Deshaun Watson and his play that is dragging the team down.

He is ranked lowest in the league among starting QBs in almost every statistical category. His play has been disastrous, so is his mindset, as was on full display for the world to see. The Browns are in a dilemma as they will incur a $172 million dead cap hit if they cut him. A sorry state of affairs for a talented team.