15 key questions for NFL Week 5

Week 5 of the NFL season features a number of tantalizing matchups between teams that have had very successful starts to the season. Some of these games could be potential playoff previews, and that’s not counting a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game.

Here’s a look at 15 key questions for NFL Week 5.

1. Can the Jaguars’ defense stop Patrick Mahomes?

This is certainly the matchup of the week. Mahomes and his 14 passing touchdowns go up against Jalen Ramsey’s Jacksonville Jaguars, a defense that prides itself on dominating opposing offenses. That matchup will likely decide the game. Mahomes has yet to face a defense like this in 2018, and the Jaguars haven’t faced off against a quarterback who’s playing as well as Mahomes is. The key will be getting pressure. Ramsey’s secondary unit needs to be as sturdy as they’ve been all season.

2. Can the Eagles or Vikings reassert themselves as an NFC favorite?

The rematch of last year’s NFC Championship isn’t quite what people expected it to be, as neither team comes into this contest with a winning record. If anything, that has made this game even more important for each team, with both needing a statement win to get their seasons back on track. The Eagles have the home field advantage, and the Vikings haven’t won since the season opener. Whoever loses will face serious questions about the state of their season.

3. How far will the Bengals-Dolphins game go toward settling who’s for real?

This is a matchup of two 3-1 teams that probably weren’t expected to be 3-1. The Dolphins come in reeling after a blowout loss to the New England Patriots, and subsequently have a bit to prove here. The Bengals are in the thick of the AFC North race. Quarterback play might decide this one, as Ryan Tannehill and Andy Dalton have both shown somewhat surprising flashes of excellence this season. The winner of this game will be in outstanding position to make a run at a playoff spot.

4. Which defense will do enough to win out in Steelers-Falcons?

These are two immensely disappointing teams, mostly because their defenses have not been able to get stops this year. This has the potential to be a shootout, and it may come down to whoever can get a stop at a critical time. The Steelers have been just a tiny bit better — they’ve given up 116 points to Atlanta’s 122 — but the Falcons have had the better offense in terms of points scored. Somebody has to win this game. It may take 40 points to do it.

5. Can the Titans finally put in a complete performance against a vulnerable opponent?

The Titans are 3-1 but it doesn’t feel like it. They’ve beaten the Texans and Eagles at home and Jacksonville on the road, so there are two very impressive wins in there, but they’ve been eking them out, with all three of their wins coming by a field goal. A road game against the Buffalo Bills looks like a good chance to move to 4-1 and perhaps pick up some style points doing it, especially if the defense can drive Buffalo QB Josh Allen into making some bad decisions.

6. How will Joe Flacco fare against what actually looks to be a solid defense?

The Browns can actually play some defense, though they struggled a week ago against the Oakland Raiders. That means Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will actually have to be sharp this week. Thus far, he’s beaten the Bills, Broncos, and Steelers. The Browns aren’t really that much better than the best of these, but a young team with a strong pass rush will be a challenge to Flacco. If the Ravens win, though, they’ll really grab control of the AFC North.

7. Can the quietly surprising Redskins make a statement in New Orleans?

Did you know that Washington can move to 3-1 this week? They’re quietly off to a good start, and in an NFC East where nobody has taken control thus far, a win at New Orleans could really turn some heads. The Saints have a vulnerable defense but a high-powered offense, meaning Washington’s defense will be put to the test against Drew Brees. If they can keep Brees in check and take advantage of a weak defense, Washington could pull the upset.

8. Will Dak Prescott put up a big game to get the Cowboys on track?

Prescott is coming off his best game of the season against the Detroit Lions, though given how bad he was to start it’s a pretty low bar to clear. The Cowboys can actually move to 3-2 this week if they can beat in-state foe Houston, who have not been great this year. This could be the perfect opportunity for a confidence-booster for Prescott. Two good performances in a row could do a lot for him moving forward.

9. Can the Chargers put a hurting on someone?

Labeled by many as a dark-horse Super Bowl candidate at the start of the season, the Chargers are a frustrating 2-2 and had a hard time putting away a San Francisco 49ers team led by C.J. Beathard a week ago. Jon Gruden’s struggling Oakland Raiders look like a tantalizingly good opponent coming along at the right time. The Raiders did get their first win of the season a week ago, but did so perhaps unjustly. They have really struggled all season, especially in fourth quarters. A blowout would calm a lot of nerves for the Chargers.

10. Will a difficult environment hinder the Rams at all?

The Rams look, on paper, like the class of the NFC, even taking into account the injury issues in their secondary. They’re off to face a Seattle Seahawks team that just isn’t the same as it used to be, especially without safety Earl Thomas. Still, the 12th Man is no joke, and Seattle is a tough environment to win in. In that aspect, this will be a good test for the Rams, and an opportunity to potentially wipe out a division foe in the first half of the season. This is still a fairly young team, but one that is learning to hold their poise in games like this.

11. Can the Texans contain Ezekiel Elliott?

Even if the Houston Texans can hold Dak Prescott in check, Elliott will be a problem. The Cowboys seemingly realized last week against the Lions that getting the ball in Elliott’s hands as frequently as possible is their ticket to success (he went for 240 yards from scrimmage). Expect a somewhat similar approach from the Cowboys here, especially if it works early. Thus, the heart of Houston’s defensive gameplan will have to be keeping Elliott from torching them. It will likely be the difference between a win and a loss.

12. Can Eli Manning get it going against a decent Carolina defense?

Eli Manning’s continued struggles are looking increasingly like reality and not just a slump. Things won’t get any easier when he faces the Carolina Panthers, who are still a strong defensive team. The frustrating Giants are 1-3 despite the numerous tools Manning has at his disposal, and they put up just 18 points against a vulnerable New Orleans defense a week ago. If Manning is stifled here, the Giants likely move to 1-4, and the criticism of him just gets louder.

13. Is this Arizona’s best chance at a win?

No disrespect to the San Francisco 49ers, but Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury is a brutal blow and probably wipes out their playoff chances. Still, backup C.J. Beathard didn’t look overwhelmed a week ago against the Chargers, and may prove to be a stubborn test for Arizona. Regardless, this is one of the most vulnerable opponents left on Arizona’s schedule. Josh Rosen nearly led the Cardinals to victory against Seattle a week ago. It might be a good shot for them.

14. Will the Jets’ defense allow Case Keenum a big day?

Ever since a two-touchdown, 300-yard performance in Week 1, Keenum hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass or hit the 250-yard mark. In other words, the Broncos franchise quarterback isn’t quite setting the world alight with his performance. Sunday could be a good opportunity to change that narrative. The Jets’ defense has struggled mightily this season, and if Keenum can’t put up a solid performance against them, some questions will need to be asked. This is a fine opportunity for him to put up some big numbers.

15. Will the resurgent Packers nab an attention-grabbing win?

The Vikings were the preseason favorites in the NFC North, and it’s been the Bears playing the most exciting football in the division thus far. Those factors have combined to ensure that people somewhat overlook the Packers, who sit comfortably at 2-1-1 with a chance to position themselves nicely if they can beat the flailing Detroit Lions on the road. This is a pretty big game for Green Bay. A win makes them 3-1-1 and very much in the division race, but a loss turns the division into a logjam and reflects a potential slog to the finish line. It’s a fine opportunity to make some sort of statement for Aaron Rodgers and company.