It was an exciting yet emotional week in the NFL as many paid homage to the death of the Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.
Honoured with a minute's silence before the early games kicked off, the Raiders general manager passed away at his Oakland home, aged 82, the day before his beloved Raiders faced the Texans, but they would go on to put in a performance that would of made their late owner proud.
Meanwhile, in the NFC North, both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers remained unbeaten highlighting their force in the race for play off positions.
Honoured with a minute's silence before the early games kicked off, the Raiders general manager passed away at his Oakland home, aged 82, the day before his beloved Raiders faced the Texans, but they would go on to put in a performance that would of made their late owner proud.
Meanwhile, in the NFC North, both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers remained unbeaten highlighting their force in the race for play off positions.
Week 5 Highlight - Raiders @ Texans
Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson fell to his knees as Matt Schaub's final effort for a touchdown was intercepted by Michael Huff to give the Raiders an emotional 25-20 victory over the Texans on Sunday.
The sad news of Al Davis' death broke out on the Saturday but his passing was giving a fine tribute by the boys in silver and black in front of the watching eyes of Davis' son Mark.
Davis not only helped his own team climb to greatness (3 Superbowl victories), but pioneered the game beyond boundaries most other general managers never thought of attempting to reach throughout the 1970s and 80s.
The game sprung into life fairly quickly, as Schaub found Kevin Walter to put the Texans 7-0 up in the first. Most of the first quarter consisted of forced punts but the Raiders managed a single field goal to make it 7-3 at the first break.
Another field goal from the raiders closed the gap to one point in the second quarter but on their next posession, a long throw attempt from Jason Campbell from his own endzone was intercepted by Texans cornerback Jason Allen.
This led to a well constructed play, as Schaub faked the run to throw a sublime pass to Joel Dreessen who then ran it into the end-zone for a 56 yard touchdown completion and Schaub's second TD throw of the game making it 14-6 to the Texans.
Oakland hit back a little later with just over a minute until half time, Campbell found Darrius Heyward-Bey who impressively broke free from a tackle to run in for a touchdown. The Raiders then went for two but came up short and there was to be no further score in the first half making it 14-12 to the Texans at Half Time.
The first score of the second half came half way through the third quarter as Sebastian Janikowski's incredible kicking form continued with a 50 yard field goal putting Oakland ahead for the first time in the match (15-14). Janikowski's 3rd 50+ yard field goal of the game tied for an NFL record and was his 5th of the season; the record is 8, which he looks set to beat.
Houston Texans hit back with a field goal of their own to put them narrowly back into lead before the 3rd quarter came to an end (15-17) to set up a thrilling ending.
On the first play in the 4th quarter on 3rd down, Campbell found Chaz Schilens for an 18 yard TD completion and his first touchdown reception of the season to put the Raiders ahead once again (22-17).
Janikowski then kicked yet another field goal to open the Raiders lead to 8 points with only a third of the game left. The Texans looked to fight back immediately and on a great drive, Schaubb opened his body and threw to a wide open Lawrence Vickers. However, the fullback couldn't hold onto the ball in a clear touchdown opportunity and the play was incomplete. The drive would then ultimately finish in just a field goal making the score 25-20 to the raiders.
On the Texans next possession there was less than a minute on the clock and on 3rd down with 30 seconds left, Schaub found Dreessen again with an incredible completion on the run to put the Raiders within 5 yards of victory. With no time-outs left Schaub was forced to rush to the line of scrimmage and spike the ball.
Tribute: Davis' famous quote will live long in the Raiders memory
With seconds remaining and on second down, Schaub broke free from coverage and, when he could of ran it in himself, he elected to attempt a pass to wide-receiver Jacoby Jones only for it to be intercepted to make it a painfully close ending for the Texans.
The victory was met with elation and emotion by the Raiders players and coaches alike as their late former owner was honoured in a perfect way and one final time, they did "Just win baby".
Round Up of Week 5
Tennessee Titans 17 Pittsburgh Steelers 38
Ben Roethlisberger was back to his very best as he tied an all time team-record of five touchdown passes as they brushed aside the Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs 28 Indianapolis Colts 24
The Colts remain worryingly winless as the Chiefs came back from a 17 point deficit (tied team comeback record) thanks to 247 yards thrown with four touchdowns from Matt Cassell, recording their very first win in Indianapolis.
Cincinnati Bengals 30 Jacksonville Jaguars 20
Running-back Bernard Scott scored with under two minutes remaining to make sure the Bengals took victory, making it eight losses in nine games dating back to last season for the Jaguars putting Head coach Jack Del Rio under immense pressure to keep his job.
Seattle Seahawks 36 New York Giants 25
Second-string Quarter-back Charlie Whitehurst came on in the third quarter to help drive the Seahawks past the Giants at New Meadowlands.
Arizona Cardinals 10 Minnesota Vikings 34
An awesome first quarter performance from Adrian Peterson saw him rampage to three touchdowns to help the Vikings open up a 28-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The gap was more than enough to hold on to their first victory of the season and make the Cardinals suffer defeat for the fourth consecutive game and still yet to record a win in Minnesota since 1977.
New Orleans Saints 30 Carolina Panthers 27
Yet again Cam Newton and his Panthers left the field feeling hard done by; but Drew Brees was flawless, throwing for 359 yards and found Pierre Thomas open only 6 yards from the end zone with 50 seconds left to help the Superbowl XLIV winners claim a narrow victory.
Philadelphia Eagles 24 Buffalo Bills 31
The 'Dream Team' drop to 1-4 as the Bills continue their dominant home form with running back Fred Jackson running for 196 yards. The Eagles are now tantalisingly close to an anticipated drop out of the running for the play-offs despite Michael Vick surpassing the NFL record for rushing yards made by a quarterback - they need a win in week 6.
Settled starter: 49ers QB Alex Smith is finally showing why he was #1 Pick at the 2005 NFL Draft
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 San Francisco 49ers 48
QB Alex Smith threw three touchdowns for 170 yards and RB Frank Gore ran for more than 100 yards for the second game in a row to help the 49ers blow the Buccaneers away and make their best start to a season in nine years.
New York Jets 21 New England Patriots 30
The AFC rivalry game swung back in favour of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as the Patriots got revenge after the Jets beat them in the divisional play offs last season. BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for a career high of 136 yards, and Brady put on another strong performance throwing for 321 yards in Patriots 13th consecutive 30+ points game.
San Diego Chargers 29 Denver Broncos 24
After yet again failing as a starter, Kyle Orton's nightmare first half led to him being replaced by Tim Tebow for the start of the second half. Tebow did his very best to rally his team towards the finish line rushing for a touchdown and then finding Knowshon Moreno for another. A last gasp effort almost won the game but the Chargers did enough to take the victory back to the West Coast.
Green Bay Packers 25 Atlanta Falcons 14
The Falcons couldn't hold on to what was looking like a potential shock victory when they led 14-6 at half time. But it would yet again become the Aaron Rodgers Show as he threw for 396 yards with two touchdowns helping the Packers regain composure and remain unbeaten.
Chicago Bears 13 Detroit Lions 24
The Lions go 5-0 for the first time since 1956 as they claimed a vital divisional victory at home to the Bears. QB Matthew Stafford threw for 219 yards to put the Bears to the sword as the defending NFC North champions slump to their worst start since 2007. With Chicago being 3 wins now behind Detroit and Green Bay, it looks like the Bears are out of contention for the play-offs already.
QB Alex Smith threw three touchdowns for 170 yards and RB Frank Gore ran for more than 100 yards for the second game in a row to help the 49ers blow the Buccaneers away and make their best start to a season in nine years.
New York Jets 21 New England Patriots 30
The AFC rivalry game swung back in favour of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as the Patriots got revenge after the Jets beat them in the divisional play offs last season. BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for a career high of 136 yards, and Brady put on another strong performance throwing for 321 yards in Patriots 13th consecutive 30+ points game.
San Diego Chargers 29 Denver Broncos 24
After yet again failing as a starter, Kyle Orton's nightmare first half led to him being replaced by Tim Tebow for the start of the second half. Tebow did his very best to rally his team towards the finish line rushing for a touchdown and then finding Knowshon Moreno for another. A last gasp effort almost won the game but the Chargers did enough to take the victory back to the West Coast.
Green Bay Packers 25 Atlanta Falcons 14
The Falcons couldn't hold on to what was looking like a potential shock victory when they led 14-6 at half time. But it would yet again become the Aaron Rodgers Show as he threw for 396 yards with two touchdowns helping the Packers regain composure and remain unbeaten.
Chicago Bears 13 Detroit Lions 24
The Lions go 5-0 for the first time since 1956 as they claimed a vital divisional victory at home to the Bears. QB Matthew Stafford threw for 219 yards to put the Bears to the sword as the defending NFC North champions slump to their worst start since 2007. With Chicago being 3 wins now behind Detroit and Green Bay, it looks like the Bears are out of contention for the play-offs already.
Players of the Week
Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders), Matt Schaub (Texans), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Hines Ward (Steelers), Matt Cassell (Chiefs), Charlie Whitehurst (Seahawks), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Drew Brees (Saints), Fred Jackson (Bills), Alex Smith (49ers), Frank Gore (49ers), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Patriots), Tom Brady (Patriots), Tim Tebow (Broncos), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Greg Jennings (Packers)
Sebastian Janikowski (Raiders), Matt Schaub (Texans), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Hines Ward (Steelers), Matt Cassell (Chiefs), Charlie Whitehurst (Seahawks), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Drew Brees (Saints), Fred Jackson (Bills), Alex Smith (49ers), Frank Gore (49ers), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Patriots), Tom Brady (Patriots), Tim Tebow (Broncos), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Greg Jennings (Packers)
Winner of the Week - Matt Cassell, Quarterback (Chiefs)
It was a difficult decision to make this week but with Adrian Peterson a close runner up, I have to give it to Matt Cassell for orchestrating an impressive comeback for the Chiefs at the Colts. Cassell had the highest passing rating of the weekend of 138.9 with four touchdowns, justifying my decision completely.
It hasn't been a great season so far for the chiefs, but with two wins now under their belts, It would take a brave man to take his eyes off Kansas City who I feel will fade into the background chasers but could come up as strong contenders in the final third of the season.
It was a difficult decision to make this week but with Adrian Peterson a close runner up, I have to give it to Matt Cassell for orchestrating an impressive comeback for the Chiefs at the Colts. Cassell had the highest passing rating of the weekend of 138.9 with four touchdowns, justifying my decision completely.
It hasn't been a great season so far for the chiefs, but with two wins now under their belts, It would take a brave man to take his eyes off Kansas City who I feel will fade into the background chasers but could come up as strong contenders in the final third of the season.
Loser of the Week - Kyle Orton, Quarterback (Broncos)
Poor Kyle Orton. It has not been a season to remember so far. Orton has been booed by his home fans, Tim Tebow's name is chanted at every game, he seems to be throwing more and more interceptions as the season moves on and this week was no exception to any of this.
Orton was terrible on Sunday, having yet another nightmare at Mile High. His pass percentage was less than 50% (6 passes out of 12 completed), he threw only 34 yards in the whole first half which included an interception and not a single touchdown.
He misses that class, charisma and athleticism that Tebow seems have in abundance, which are a few of the many reasons he's the most loved reserve QB in the division. Once the fans turn on you, there really isn't much of a chance of getting back into their good books.
I think the fans may finally of got what they wanted come week 7, I do think the Broncos will start Tebow in their next game. Although, with a bye-week this weekend, it gives Orton time to prove himself in Broncos training and maybe a miracle may happen when they travel to Miami.... unlikely, but possible.
Poor Kyle Orton. It has not been a season to remember so far. Orton has been booed by his home fans, Tim Tebow's name is chanted at every game, he seems to be throwing more and more interceptions as the season moves on and this week was no exception to any of this.
Orton was terrible on Sunday, having yet another nightmare at Mile High. His pass percentage was less than 50% (6 passes out of 12 completed), he threw only 34 yards in the whole first half which included an interception and not a single touchdown.
He misses that class, charisma and athleticism that Tebow seems have in abundance, which are a few of the many reasons he's the most loved reserve QB in the division. Once the fans turn on you, there really isn't much of a chance of getting back into their good books.
I think the fans may finally of got what they wanted come week 7, I do think the Broncos will start Tebow in their next game. Although, with a bye-week this weekend, it gives Orton time to prove himself in Broncos training and maybe a miracle may happen when they travel to Miami.... unlikely, but possible.
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