The second month of the 2025 NFL season is in full swing.
An overtime divisional game on Thursday was followed by a last-minute lead change in London on Sunday before the full slate kicked off in the afternoon.
So, who stood out in the fifth week of the season? And what teams fell flat?
Here are the winners and losers from the Sunday afternoon games in Week 5:
WINNER: Broncos’ defense ends Eagles’ perfection
It took 287 days, but the Philadelphia Eagles have finally lost a game.
The Denver Broncos ended the defending champions’ 10-game winning streak, which dated back to Week 16 of last season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, had won 18 straight games that he started and finished (Philly lost in Week 16 last year when he got injured).
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Another victory seemed inevitable for the Eagles throughout the game at Lincoln Financial Field. They took a 17-3 lead into the fourth quarter, but a disruptive Denver defense flipped the script — two 3-and-outs and a last possession stand to clinch the win in the final frame. Hurts had 280 passing yards and two touchdowns, but he was sacked six times in defeat (including 2.5 by Nik Bonitto).
LOSER: The hopeless Jets
Aaron Glenn was supposed to represent a changing of the culture for the New York Jets. It’s only been five weeks, but hope is quickly dwindling at MetLife Stadium.
The new head coach is winless through five games, and his most disappointing performance came in Week 5. The Dallas Cowboys went to New Jersey and steamrolled the Jets, 37-22, in a game that was over by halftime.
New York took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before surrendering 23 straight points to close the half. From long runs by Javonte Williams to easy and clean throws by Dak Prescott, Glenn’s defense was helpless all game. Offensively, the Jets mustered just six points in the first three quarters against a Cowboys defense that entered Week 5 ranked last in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed. New York ended up scoring touchdowns on its final two possessions with the game out of hand.
WINNER: C.J. Stroud turns back the clock
I know, C.J. Stroud is only in his third season. But the Houston Texans quarterback finally looked like the rookie version of himself in Sunday’s 44-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Stroud finished the game going 23 of 27 for 244 yards with four TD passes and 30 rushing yards. It’s his first four-touchdown game since Week 9 of 2023, and just the second of his career. The flashes of brilliance that Stroud showed in his rookie year have been few and far between over the last 13 months, so Sunday was an encouraging reminder of the 24-year-old’s potential as Houston improved to 2-3.
Of course, the caveat is that his opponent was badly bitten by the injury bug. Baltimore, now 1-4, was without Pro Bowlers QB Lamar Jackson, FB Patrick Ricard, OT Ronnie Stanley, LB Roquan Smith, CB Marlon Himphrey, S Kyle Hamilton and DT Nnamdi Madubuike. Cooper Rush and Derrick Henry couldn’t move the ball on offense, and the defense gave up big plays early and often. Credit to Houston for handling business against a depleted team.
LOSER: Geno Smith’s ball security
Nothing has gone right for the Las Vegas Raiders since their Week 1 win, and a lot of the blame can be placed on their new quarterback.
Geno Smith had two more interceptions in the Raiders’ 40-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, adding to his league-leading total of nine picks through five games. The Raiders have lost four straight games as things quickly unravel under new head coach Pete Carroll.
The Colts, meanwhile, just keep winning. Daniel Jones’ squad is 4-1, including 3-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium, as he (two passing) and Jonathan Taylor (three rushing) had five touchdowns in the blowout victory. Indy has scored at least 29 in all four of its victories this season.
WINNER: Spencer Rattler, for the first time
Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans Saints are off the schneid.
After 10 straight losses to start his career (and four this season), Rattler picked up his first NFL victory Sunday against the New York Giants, 26-14. The second-year QB went 20 of 30 for 225 yards and a touchdown. While Rattler was solid, it was the Saints’ defense and special teams that got the job done — three fumbles recovered (one returned for a touchdown), two interceptions and four made field goals.
For the Giants, rookie Jaxson Dart was inconsistent in his second career start. While he completed 26 of 40 passes for two touchdowns, he had three turnovers (a fumble and two interceptions) and didn’t help the offense move the ball after halftime. New York was scoreless in the third and fourth quarters after a productive first half.
LOSER: Disaster for the Dolphins
A hectic fourth quarter in Charlotte ended with a 27-24 win for the Carolina Panthers over the Miami Dolphins.
For Mike McDaniel’s club, a 17-0 lead in the second quarter showed the offensive potential — even without the injured Tyreek Hill. Everything fell apart from there, though, as they were outscored 27-7 to finish the game with Bryce Young turning things around.
Tua Tagovailoa finished the game with stellar statistics — 27 of 37, 256 yards, three touchdowns — but the offense couldn’t move the ball consistently after halftime with five punts on six drives. Miami is now 1-4, while Carolina improved to 2-3 and 2-0 at home.