Gridiron Update

## Week 5 Overview (October 5–6, 2025)

Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season delivered a slate of nail-biters, with five games decided in the final 30 seconds. In London, the Houston Texans dominated the injury-depleted Baltimore Ravens 44 – 10, snapping a multi-decade curse in Baltimore and improving to 2 – 3 entering their bye week ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/texans-houston-analysis-678a0222fe208784642334af904272cc)). Back in the U.S., the Minnesota Vikings edged the Cleveland Browns 21 – 17 in the early window, while the Denver Broncos stunned the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles 21 – 17 thanks to a 2-point conversion by Troy Franklin late in the fourth quarter ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46435996/nfl-week-5-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game)). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rallied past the Seattle Seahawks 38 – 35 on a last-second Chase McLaughlin field goal ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46435996/nfl-week-5-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game)), the Tennessee Titans snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 22 – 21 victory over the winless Arizona Cardinals ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46435996/nfl-week-5-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game)), the New England Patriots handed the Buffalo Bills their first defeat of the season 23 – 20 in prime time ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46435996/nfl-week-5-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game)), and on Monday night the Jacksonville Jaguars completed a wild comeback to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31 – 28, delivering another thriller decided in the final minute ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46435996/nfl-week-5-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game)).

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## Monday Night Football: Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28

In Monday’s prime-time showdown, the Jaguars (4 – 1) snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Chiefs (2 – 3) with a 31 – 28 victory. Trevor Lawrence’s 26th birthday was capped by a comical yet clutch 1-yard touchdown scramble with 23 seconds remaining, tumbling to the turf on the snap but recovering to find daylight and break multiple tackles en route to the end zone ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jaguars-score-960da44818584c72c37c3234cbb946bb)). Lawrence finished 18 of 25 for 221 yards and one passing TD, and added a team-high 54 rushing yards and two rushing TDs ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jaguars-score-960da44818584c72c37c3234cbb946bb)).

The Chiefs led 14 – 0 early, thanks in part to two rushing touchdowns by Kareem Hunt and a fumble at the goal line by Lawrence, but Jacksonville answered back. Linebacker Devin Lloyd intercepted Patrick Mahomes at the goal line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown—the longest INT return by a linebacker in NFL regular-season history ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jaguars-score-960da44818584c72c37c3234cbb946bb)). Rookie Travis Hunter made his mark with a 44-yard jump-ball catch and a separate 12-yard grab, showcasing his two-way talent ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-jaguars-score-960da44818584c72c37c3234cbb946bb)).

Despite two Mahomes touchdown passes, costly penalties (13 for 109 yards) and a late drive derailed by offensive infractions sealed the Chiefs’ fate ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mistakes-c1e2891c8ee32b4ada73f4060fa0d4d7)). The win bolstered Jacksonville’s confidence as a legitimate AFC contender under first-year coach Liam Coen.

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## Patriots 23, Bills 20: Diggs Reunion Sparks New England

In Orchard Park, former Bill Stefon Diggs made his return to Buffalo memorable, hauling in 10 catches for 146 yards—119 of those coming in the second half—as the Patriots (3 – 2) upset the Bills (4 – 1) 23 – 20 ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-analysis-week-5-4b039e83e407db5bff83f194f381219e)). New England’s veteran kicker Andy Borregales drilled a 52-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to seal the win. Buffalo’s Josh Allen finished 22 of 31 for 253 yards with two passing TDs but committed a sloppy fumble and interception, contributing to three total turnovers ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-analysis-week-5-4b039e83e407db5bff83f194f381219e)).

Quarterback Drake Maye, filling in admirably, orchestrated the game-winning drive, avoiding a sack to complete a 12-yard strike to Diggs before setting up Borregales’ kick. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson also chipped in with two rushing touchdowns, further balancing New England’s offense ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401772814&utm_source=openai)). The defeat snapped Buffalo’s 14-game home winning streak, while New England celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time under head coach Mike Vrabel.

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## Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 35: Comeback Kids Strike Again

Tampa Bay’s status as the NFL’s ultimate “ComeBake Kids” continued in Seattle, as Baker Mayfield led another fourth-quarter rally and Lavonte David’s interception set up Chase McLaughlin’s 39-yard field goal as time expired ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-analysis-week-5-mayfield-50b745fb271beb83884d925e13fb2990)). Mayfield was nearly flawless, completing 29 of 33 passes for a season-high 379 yards and two touchdowns, with zero turnovers and only one sack ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-analysis-week-5-mayfield-50b745fb271beb83884d925e13fb2990)).

Despite missing six starters, Tampa Bay (4 – 1) improved to 4 – 1. Rookie Emeka Egbuka emerged as Mayfield’s top target in Mike Evans’ absence, posting 7 receptions for 163 yards and his fifth TD in five games ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-analysis-week-5-mayfield-50b745fb271beb83884d925e13fb2990)). The Seahawks (4 – 2) rallied late behind Geno Smith’s 275 passing yards, but Seattle’s depleted secondary and untimely penalties undermined their bid for a comeback.

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## Titans 22, Cardinals 21: Ending the Skid

The Tennessee Titans (1 – 4) finally exorcised a 10-game losing streak with a 22 – 21 comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/titans-analysis-week-5-cam-ward-67c796d158257cf13af7556aac060cce)). Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, ignited the rally, going 13 of 18 for 193 yards in the fourth quarter alone and finishing with 265 yards passing ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/titans-analysis-week-5-cam-ward-67c796d158257cf13af7556aac060cce)).

Calvin Ridley led Tennessee’s aerial attack with 5 catches for 131 yards, including a 47-yard bomb to set up the winning field goal ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/titans-analysis-week-5-cam-ward-67c796d158257cf13af7556aac060cce)). Defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson forced a fumble that fueled Tennessee’s comeback, while Arizona’s costly turnovers and stop-unit lapses in the fourth quarter sealed their fate.

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## Broncos 21, Eagles 17: Atlantic Statement

On the road in Philadelphia, the Denver Broncos (3 – 2) overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to shock the Eagles 21 – 17—Denver’s biggest win since Super Bowl 50 ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/broncos-comeback-nix-surtain-bonitto-payton-d05a817501b7f56086db696000476c15)). Quarterback Bo Nix delivered in crunch time, completing 9 of 10 throws for 126 yards and a TD in the fourth quarter, orchestrating 18 unanswered points ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/broncos-comeback-nix-surtain-bonitto-payton-d05a817501b7f56086db696000476c15)).

Nix struggled early (15 of 29 for 116 yards through three quarters) but his fourth-quarter heroics, including a two-point conversion to Troy Franklin, turned the tide ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/broncos-comeback-nix-surtain-bonitto-payton-d05a817501b7f56086db696000476c15)). Denver’s defense, spearheaded by Nik Bonitto’s 2.5 sacks, registered six sacks on the day (a league-high 21 on the season) and forced Philadelphia into mistakes, highlighted by Patrick Surtain II’s game-ending pass breakup ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/broncos-comeback-nix-surtain-bonitto-payton-d05a817501b7f56086db696000476c15)).

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## Key News & Takeaways

- Mistake-prone Chiefs lament self-inflicted wounds after penalties and Mahomes’ late pick cost them in Jacksonville ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mistakes-c1e2891c8ee32b4ada73f4060fa0d4d7)).
- Bills’ turnovers magnified the absence of Stefon Diggs’ consistent production, raising concerns about Buffalo’s offensive identity ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-bills-analysis-week-5-4b039e83e407db5bff83f194f381219e)).
- Buccaneers’ ability to win four games by scoring in the final minute is unprecedented, underscoring Baker Mayfield’s clutch leadership ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-analysis-week-5-mayfield-50b745fb271beb83884d925e13fb2990)).
- Tennessee’s rookie Ward and Denver’s Nix each demonstrated late-game poise, potentially reshaping their teams’ trajectories.

These dramatic Week 5 finishes set the stage for intriguing storylines as teams enter the midseason with momentum surging for Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and Denver, while established contenders like Kansas City and Buffalo face pressing questions about discipline and offensive balance.