Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season featured a mix of standout quarterback performances, key defensive moments, and some notable team developments as the league heads past the early stages of the schedule.
Among the most encouraging signals was the resurgence of several quarterbacks across the league. Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow threw a season-high number of touchdown passes in a dominant victory over the Miami Dolphins, distributing the ball to nine different receivers and protecting it better after a brief two-game skid. Meanwhile, Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love continued his impressive consistency, throwing two touchdown passes for the fifth straight game in the Packers’ 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears. Love’s performance, highlighted by a 137.5 passer rating, marked his best outing of the season.
Drake Maye of the Carolina Panthers delivered a commanding display against the Las Vegas Raiders, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns and adding a rushing score in a 45-17 rout. This was his second career game with five total touchdowns and capped two strong weeks for the 2025 league MVP runner-up, who helped the Panthers improve to 3-2 and above .500 for the first time this season.
The New York Jets recorded a franchise-record nine sacks in their 17-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns, including a critical strip sack on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in the game’s final moments. On the offensive side, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Carolina’s Bryce Young remained among the league leaders in touchdown passes, despite both teams resting on their bye weeks.
In Pittsburgh, veteran Aaron Rodgers continued his late-career resurgence under head coach Mike McCarthy, throwing three touchdown passes in a 34-22 win against the Indianapolis Colts. Rodgers now holds sole possession of third place all-time in combined regular season and playoff touchdown passes, surpassing Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray led his team to a 5-0 start, recording his best game in a Vikings uniform with 229 passing yards, a touchdown, and 51 rushing yards. Meanwhile, rookie No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza made his NFL debut for the Raiders, throwing for 48 yards in mop-up duty during the team’s worst loss of the season.
In a closely contested NFC East matchup, the New York Giants tied the Washington Commanders 27-27 in a rain-soaked game marked by clock management problems that denied Washington a potential game-winning field goal attempt. Giants quarterback Jameis Winston posted a strong performance with 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, while the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels returned from injury, rushing for two touchdowns but ultimately unable to secure the victory.
Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff continued to stake his claim in MVP discussions, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns while running for another score in a 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Goff became only the second player in NFL history to enter five games with at least 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Defensively, Houston Texans coordinator DeMeco Ryans earned praise after his team limited the previously winless Tennessee Titans to just three points and forced two turnovers. The Jets’ linebacker David Bailey emerged as a rookie defensive star with three sacks against the Browns, enhancing his prospects as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
On the other hand, some quarterbacks struggled to find consistency. Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott faced criticism following a two-interception game in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts also appeared misaligned with his evolving offense. Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold battled ball security issues, throwing multiple interceptions over the past few games, raising questions about his ongoing role with the team.
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Sean Payton had a mixed start in his return, guiding the team to 23 points but managing only 224 total yards, their second-lowest output of the season. Conversely, the Texans’ defense under Ryans stood out with a dominant performance.
The week also marked the passing of Mike Ditka, a Hall of Famer and iconic figure in NFL history. Ditka’s death came as the Chicago Bears enjoyed a rare winning streak, a fitting moment to remember the former coach and player’s enduring impact on the sport.
As teams prepare for Week 6, the season continues to reveal developing storylines on both sides of the ball, with quarterback play and defensive impacts proving pivotal in shaping the early NFL landscape.