# NFL Week 5 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 3, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313 "2014-10-03T22:12:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/41 "2014-10-06T01:37:49Z")
Andy Dalton looks like Playoff Andy Dalton tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/42 "2014-10-06T01:39:59Z")
Luckily for him, though, the refs are there to help out. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/43 "2014-10-06T01:56:04Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > BRUTAL BIG BLUE BACK-TO-BACK BIRD-BRO BEATDOWNS BEGIN!\* > > Cardinals this week, Eagles the next. > > \*An official _Bloom Picayune_-approved headline. Toyp? Cardinals was 3 weeks ago, not such a pleasant afternoon for eli. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/44 "2014-10-06T02:18:07Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > After the debacle in Dallas last week, my Saints need to blow out Tampa in the Dome. OT win. Does that reassure you or cause more nervousness? In other news, it looks at this point like there won’t be any more undefeateds left after tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/45 "2014-10-06T02:23:16Z")
The play calling in this Bengals game is atrocious. They are running the ball effectively but desperately trying to establish the pass. Tampa really should have beaten the Saints down Jimmy Graham. Can’t give up a two score lead in the fourth quarter. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/46 "2014-10-06T02:44:22Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > OT win. Does that reassure you or cause more nervousness? The Bucs took it to OT in Seattle last year, if that helps at all. > [@](#): > > In other news, it looks at this point like there won’t be any more undefeateds left after tonight. At least the Jags and the Raiders are still perfect. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/47 "2014-10-06T03:31:40Z")
There’s a nice loop now in the west. Arizona has only lost to Denver; Denver has only lost to Seattle; Seattle has only lost to San Diego; San Diego has only lost to Arizona. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/48 "2014-10-06T03:59:40Z")
> [@Cumbrian](#): > > I haven’t been playing super close attention to New Orleans thus far this year. Is Brees playing as badly as numbers and the W-L record suggests? Or are the problems there elsewhere? Brees has made some horrible decisions this year, and got worse today. He refuses to take a sack, apparently preferring to sling a dying-duck-like pass up for grabs…two of which got grabbed by the defense today, and one of those was cheerfully returned to the endzone. Graham got hurt early today, and didn’t return. Shoulder. O-line was thin when the season started, and getting thinner. Colston, Stills, and Meecham are non-factors in the passing game so far. It’s been mostly Graham/Cooks, with a few clutch catches by Watson and whoever that third string TE is. Running game has been better than last year. Ingram was having his best year ever until he got hurt. Robinson is earning his keep, and Thomas came up big today. The real problem is defense. It sucks. Can’t stop the run. Can’t stop the pass. Can’t pressure the QB (but did have one sack for a crucial safety today), can’t cause turnovers (but did have an INT today). > [@Leaper](#): > > OT win. Does that reassure you or cause more nervousness? Well, a win is a win, but this just isn’t a good football team right now. Much improvement needed all over the place, including the stuff we’re supposed to do well. Defense has to get better, or we’re looking at 8-8 and a mediocre draft pick, again. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/49 "2014-10-06T04:33:49Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Do you think that discord is real? If it is, do you think it will matter at all on the field? I don’t put much stock in the locker room stuff. Yeah, it’s impossible for 53 guys to all like any coach, let alone one with such a polarizing personality as Jim Harbaugh. I think if there was an actual “source” it was merely griping after two embarrassing losses. Winning fixes that crap, and Harbaugh wins. I’m more concerned with the continuing reports of conflicts with the front office. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/50 "2014-10-06T05:40:37Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I am worried about the Bengals against the Patsies tomorrow night. Yes, the Patriots look like lost dogs wandering around in the middle lane of the freeway, but it’s still at their place where they haven’t lost to an AFC opponent in 31 games (!!!), Brady is still a good QB, yadda yadda. > > On paper the Bengals should destroy them, especially with their DL against the Pats’ weak OL. But the Bengals traditionally blow ass chunks in primetime games and after coming off a bye under Marvin Lewis, so I just don’t know what to think. > > For some reason I’m thinking a shootout happens. But damn…who in the fuck is any good at catching the rock for New England? Well, uh…called it, I guess? Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/51 "2014-10-06T05:52:58Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I don’t put much stock in the locker room stuff. Yeah, it’s impossible for 53 guys to all like any coach, let alone one with such a polarizing personality as Jim Harbaugh. I think if there was an actual “source” it was merely griping after two embarrassing losses. Winning fixes that crap, and Harbaugh wins. > I’m more concerned with the continuing reports of conflicts with the front office. I agree that Harbaugh will be fine so long as he keeps winning … but nobody can win year after year, and my bet is Harbaugh isn’t going to be the kind of guy that gets kept around when the team has a “disappointing” year or two. And really, anything less than going to the Super Bowl is going to be seen as “disappointing.” This team is aging and will need to be rebuilt in 2-3 years; he won’t be the one to do it (Especially since he knows someone else will offer him full GM power if he wants it). ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/52 "2014-10-06T12:39:56Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, uh…called it, I guess? Jesus. Look at the bright side. Giovanni Bernard finally got his ypc above 3.5 ypc for a game. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/53 "2014-10-06T14:11:33Z")
> [@furt](#): > > This team is aging and will need to be rebuilt in 2-3 years; he won’t be the one to do it (Especially since he knows someone else will offer him full GM power if he wants it). Aging? Other than Justin Smith, Anquan Boldin and Frank Gore, the only old guys on the team are role players. Vernon Davis is now 9 seasons in but he doesn’t look to be slowing down any, and tight ends can play for ever. They’re not in bad shape [cap-wise](http://www.spotrac.com/cap-tracker/nfl/) either. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/54 "2014-10-06T14:32:01Z")
I’m seriously beginning to consider whether Belicheck is just screwing with us, with the cooperation of his offensive line. I mean, it couldn’t have been the same front five at the same honest level of effort last week and this week, right? My conspiracy-theory lobe is envisioning Belicheck right now reaming the O-line out for tipping their hand too early and looking too good, blowing the season-long con Belicheck had going (“Guys, we had it set up to run for 400 yards in the conference championship and Super Bowl. Now what are we going to do, now that they know you guys really can block?”). Or he’s on the phone with Larry Bird, talking about the games where Bird would shoot left-handed, just to give himself a challenge (“You’re right Larry, it is even more fun to blow someone out after a game you intentionally hobbled yourself in”) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/55 "2014-10-06T14:42:48Z")
It wasn’t the same front five. Dan Connolly moved back to guard (his usual position) for this game from center and one of the rookies who played guard last week was benched. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/56 "2014-10-06T14:55:59Z")
> [@furt](#): > > I agree that Harbaugh will be fine so long as he keeps winning … but nobody can win year after year, and my bet is Harbaugh isn’t going to be the kind of guy that gets kept around when the team has a “disappointing” year or two. And really, anything less than going to the Super Bowl is going to be seen as “disappointing.” This team is aging and will need to be rebuilt in 2-3 years; he won’t be the one to do it (Especially since he knows someone else will offer him full GM power if he wants it). I think the reports of personality clashes between Jim Harbaugh and 49ers GM Trent Baalke are nothing to worry about. The real issue is the two are not on the same page when it comes to player types. Baalke is willing to embrace the passing/spread type of game the NFL is becoming, but Jim likes his smash-mouth attack. Last night I was thinking to myself I’d choose Harbaugh over Baalke, but I think I’ve switched. I think the existing talent would attract a top coaching candidate, preferably one that can utilize the talent Baalke chooses. The other option is giving Jim GM control or letting him pick a GM. Not a good idea, as has been demonstrated time and again. It’s harder to find a GM than a coach. (Edit: Oh, and you’re wrong about the rebuilding timeframe. The team is stocked for the future, with young talent waiting behind those aging stars. And they aren’t lacking in draft picks going forward, either.) ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/57 "2014-10-06T15:05:36Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It wasn’t the same front five. Dan Connolly moved back to guard (his usual position) for this game from center and one of the rookies who played guard last week was benched. Look, I don’t want your “facts” – for instance, evidently the Bengals came into the game among the worst run defenses in the league – to get in the way of my ridiculous theories. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/58 "2014-10-06T15:30:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It wasn’t the same front five. Dan Connolly moved back to guard (his usual position) for this game from center and one of the rookies who played guard last week was benched. Fleming was actually out with a finger injury (yes, I know you can never believe a Pats injury report). They had Cannon at RG earlier this year, too. Regardless, last night’s alignment looks like what they’re going forward with. It’s remarkable that it took so long to figure it out, but maybe a change in position coach is the issue. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/59 "2014-10-06T16:15:57Z")
I really like Ben Tate’s running style. No bullshit. He gets up to speed as he takes the handcuff, and he runs into the line where he’s supposed to. No stutter step, no slowing down, just blast through what’s there, and if it’s not, power through and make 2-3 yards out of it. He runs with good lean, good power, decent speed - pretty good at powering through jams and tackles. He’s not a good candidate to bust a 30+ yard run, but I could see him reliably averaging 4.5 YPC like that and picking up yardage pretty consistently. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313/60 "2014-10-06T17:04:05Z")
So, the Giants beat the Falcons by 10 points yesterday. This is a good thing, but not necessarily a sign that they’re a particularly good team. I took a peak at the box score. Atlanta outgained NY (397-317). They averaged more yards per rushing play (4.3-3.6) and per passing play (6.7-6.2). They had better punt & kick return numbers. They won the turnover battle (2-1, or really 1-0 since the Giants fumbled the ball away on an INT return). New York had fewer penalty yards (81-15), but really 90% of the reason the Giants won is that they were good on 3rd Down (9/15) and Atlanta was awful (2/13). That has on outsized impact on a given game, but in the long run teams tend to play as well on 3rd Down as they do on 1st and 2nd, so the Giants can hardly count on this sort of thing repeating itself. Still, it’s heartening to see that they’re no longer a tire fire. Especially nice to see that Eli is playing well by any measure. Of course, the schedule is just shy of brutal over the next 7 weeks: @Phi, @Dal, BYE, Ind, @Sea, SF, Dal. It gets a lot easier after that, but the season could be over pretty quick even the Giants really are pretty good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-5/700313.md?page=4)