If you walked away from your TV on Sunday afternoon thinking you knew how the 2025 NFL season was going to play out, I’ve got some bad news for you. Basically, everything we thought we knew about the league's hierarchy just got tossed into a shredder. NFL scores for week 5 weren't just about numbers on a scoreboard; they were about the absolute collapse of "sure things."
Think about the Philadelphia Eagles. They entered the week looking like the undisputed heavyweights of the NFC. Then, the Denver Broncos showed up. Denver didn't just win; they dragged Philly into a deep-water fight and watched the undefeated favorites drown in a 21-17 upset. It was ugly. It was gritty. And honestly, it was exactly what makes October football so chaotic.
The Shockers: Broncos Stun Philly and Titans Find Life
The headline of the week has to be Denver. Bo Nix isn't just a rookie game manager anymore. He led a fourth-quarter rally that saw the Broncos overcome a 17-3 deficit. That go-ahead two-point conversion was gutsy as hell. Sean Payton basically dared the Eagles' defense to stop them, and they couldn't. Jalen Hurts had 280 yards, but his final Hail Mary falling incomplete felt like a giant "reset" button for the entire conference.
Then there’s the Tennessee Titans.
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Before Sunday, Tennessee was sitting at 0-4. They looked lifeless. But against the Arizona Cardinals, Cam Ward finally showed why he was the top pick. It wasn't pretty for three quarters—in fact, it was mostly punts and frustration. But then Ward exploded. A 47-yard bomb to Calvin Ridley changed the energy in the stadium. The Titans scored 19 unanswered points to win 22-21 on a walk-off field goal by Joey Slye.
The Cardinals? Total meltdown.
Emari Demercado fumbling the ball out of the end zone after a 72-yard run will haunt Arizona fans' nightmares for years. That’s a 14-point swing that basically gifted the Titans their first win of the year.
Quick Look: Sunday’s Scoreboard
- Denver Broncos 21, Philadelphia Eagles 17
- Tennessee Titans 22, Arizona Cardinals 21
- Houston Texans 44, Baltimore Ravens 10
- Indianapolis Colts 40, Las Vegas Raiders 6
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38, Seattle Seahawks 35
- Detroit Lions 37, Cincinnati Bengals 24
- New England Patriots 23, Buffalo Bills 20
- Minnesota Vikings 21, Cleveland Browns 17
Why the Ravens and Jets are Panicking
If you're a Ravens fan, you probably don't want to look at the stats. Getting dismantled 44-10 by the Houston Texans is one thing, but it’s the way it happened. Baltimore’s defense, usually a brick wall, looked like Swiss cheese. C.J. Stroud spent the afternoon carving them up, and the Ravens dropped to a staggering 1-4. Injuries are piling up, and John Harbaugh’s seat is starting to feel a little warm.
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Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Aaron Glenn era for the Jets is off to a 0-5 start. They lost 37-22 to the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott tied Tony Romo for the third-most wins in Cowboys history, but honestly, the story was the Jets' inability to stop anyone. They’re the only winless team left in the league. It’s getting late early in New York.
The Carolina Panthers actually pulled off a miracle, too. Down 17-0 to the Dolphins, Bryce Young managed to steady the ship. Rico Dowdle went absolutely nuclear, rushing for 206 yards. Let that sink in. 206 yards on 23 carries. Miami's offense completely stalled out without Tyreek Hill, who is out for the season with a knee injury. It turns out that Mike McDaniel’s "genius" system looks a lot more mortal when the fastest man in football isn't there to bail it out.
Sunday Night Drama and Monday’s Finale
The Buffalo Bills were supposed to cruise against the New England Patriots. Everyone assumed Josh Allen would just do Josh Allen things. Instead, Drake Maye outplayed him in the clutch. The Patriots walked into Orchard Park and escaped with a 23-20 win. It was a classic "trap game" that Buffalo fell right into, proving that the AFC East is nowhere near settled.
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Monday night didn't offer any less drama. The Jacksonville Jaguars managed to edge out the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. Trevor Lawrence looked sharp, but the real story was the Jags' pass rush making Patrick Mahomes' life miserable. It’s rare to see the Chiefs look that rattled, but Jacksonville found a blueprint that worked.
Key Takeaways from Week 5
- Homecoming Magic: David Montgomery returned to Cincinnati and did everything. He even threw a touchdown pass to Brock Wright. The Lions are 4-1 and look like the most complete team in the league right now.
- The London Factor: The Vikings beat the Browns 21-17 across the pond. Minnesota is sitting at 3-2, quietly staying relevant while the rest of the North beats each other up.
- The "For Real" Colts: Indianapolis dropped 40 points on the Raiders. Anthony Richardson didn't have to do much because the ground game and defense were so dominant. They are legitimate contenders in the AFC South.
What This Means for Your Roster
If you’re looking at these NFL scores for week 5 and wondering what to do with your fantasy team or your betting slip for next week, pay attention to the trenches. The Titans' win wasn't just Cam Ward; it was Jeffery Simmons dominating the line of scrimmage. Teams that can't protect their QB are falling apart—look at the Bengals and the Ravens.
Also, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Dolphins. Without Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Darren Waller are the only viable targets, but they need a third option to emerge fast. If nobody steps up, that 1-4 record is going to get much worse.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Waiver Wire: Rico Dowdle is likely gone, but if he’s somehow available, sell the farm for him.
- Fade the Ravens' Defense: Until they prove they can stop a middle-tier passing attack, they are a "start" for any opposing wide receiver.
- Monitor the Eagles: They face a tough road stretch coming up, and the "invincibility" cloak is officially gone.
The 2025 season just got a lot more interesting. Don't assume the standings today will look anything like this in December.