Week 5 NFL Recap: Scores and Highlights

Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season kicked off with a thrilling Thursday night game as the Atlanta Falcons secured an overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kirk Cousins stole the show, throwing for 509 yards and leading the Falcons to a 36-30 win.

Sunday action saw the Minnesota Vikings remain undefeated, toppling the New York Jets in London, while Aaron Rodgers became the ninth QB to surpass 60,000 passing yards. The Baltimore Ravens took down the Cincinnati Bengals in a dramatic overtime showdown, and the New York Giants moved to 2-3 with a road win against the Seattle Seahawks.

The evening concluded with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a low-scoring game that faced a lengthy weather delay. Here’s a breakdown of the top games and performances.

Baltimore 41, Cincinnati 38 (OT)

Ravens
Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a sensational comeback victory in overtime, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Jackson threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns, reviving the Ravens’ chances of winning the AFC North. A critical interception by Marlon Humphrey in overtime set up Justin Tucker’s game-tying and game-winning field goals.
Key stat: The Ravens have out-rushed opponents by at least 100 yards in all five games, marking the longest streak since 1933.

Bengals
Despite Joe Burrow throwing for five touchdowns, Cincinnati couldn’t hang on, dropping to 1-4 and 0-3 at home. The Bengals’ defense struggled, particularly against Jackson’s tight ends Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar, who combined for 119 receiving yards.

New York Giants 29, Seattle Seahawks 20

Giants
The Giants’ defense played a key role in their second win of the season, holding the Seahawks to 20 points. Deonte Banks rebounded from a rough outing last week, limiting DK Metcalf and forcing a crucial fumble. Daniel Jones, despite missing key offensive targets Malik Nabers and Devin Singletary, delivered two passing touchdowns against the blitz, helping New York move forward in a competitive NFC East.

Seahawks
Seattle’s early season form is being questioned after consecutive losses. The Seahawks’ lack of a balanced offense, especially the underutilization of Kenneth Walker III, hurt them as they failed to stop a surging Giants team. Walker finished with just five carries for 19 yards, a stark contrast to his breakout performance last week.

Green Bay Packers 24, L.A. Rams 19

Packers
Xavier McKinney continues to shine in Green Bay’s secondary, recording an interception in every game this season, setting the Packers up for a dominant defensive performance. Wide receiver Jayden Reed stepped up in place of the suspended Romeo Doubs, accumulating 78 yards on four catches and contributing to the Packers’ third win of the season.

Rams
Los Angeles is struggling to regain momentum as they fall to 1-4 entering their bye week. Injuries to key receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have left the offense lackluster. Blake Corum showed flashes of potential with 25 yards rushing on limited carries, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Green Bay’s stout defense.

Denver Broncos 34, Las Vegas Raiders 18

Broncos
Denver snapped its losing streak to the Raiders, scoring the most points they’ve managed in a game since 2021. Running back Javonte Williams, finally looking like his former self, rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries, while the Broncos’ defense limited Las Vegas to 110 rushing yards in the first half, completely shutting down their offense after halftime.

Raiders
Gardner Minshew’s tenure as Las Vegas’ starting quarterback might be in jeopardy after throwing two costly interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six. Backup Aidan O’Connell showed signs of rust in relief, as the Raiders’ penalty-filled day left them far short of their usual disciplined play.

Minnesota Vikings 23, New York Jets 17

Vikings
Minnesota remains perfect this season, aided by a stellar performance from their defense, which intercepted Aaron Rodgers three times. Though Sam Darnold struggled with accuracy, completing only 14 of 31 passes, his crucial throws in the fourth quarter kept Minnesota in control.

Jets
Aaron Rodgers set a personal record by becoming the ninth QB to surpass 60,000 passing yards, but his three interceptions, including a pick-six, overshadowed the milestone. New York’s lack of a running game continues to be a problem, with Breece Hall held to just 23 yards on nine carries.