Week 5 NFL Capsules

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, London

FanDuel odds: Vikings -3.5, Total 35.5

Series Rewind: This is the first meeting between the teams since 2021, when Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb led the Browns to a 14-7 win in Minneapolis.

Inside Edge intel: The Vikings have allowed fewer than 350 total yards in five consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Juggling quarterbacks is nothing new to these franchises, who will start players who began the season as backups in Week 5. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will take over under center when Cleveland kicks off against the Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, previously offensive coordinator of the Vikings, decided to make the change after his team lost 34-10 against the Detroit Lions a week ago. He benched Joe Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran who leads the NFL in turnovers. In comes Gabriel, whom the Browns drafted at No. 94 overall, for a stern test against blitz-heavy Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Gabriel has appeared in two games in backup duty, completing three of his four passes for 19 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota is on the second leg of a two-week international tour that began with a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland last week. Carson Wentz is slated to make his third start of the season and has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 523 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is progressing from his high ankle sprain but is expected to remain out. Wentz has the confidence of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the staff. Justin Jefferson is Wentz's clear-cut No. 1 target in the passing game. Jefferson has 22 catches for 326 yards and one touchdown in four games, which is considerably more than No. 2 target T.J. Hockenson, who has 13 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.

Houston Texans (1-3) at Baltimore Ravens (1-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Texans -1.5, Total 40.5

Series Rewind: The Ravens nearly pitched a Christmas Day shutout at Houston last season, winning 31-2. Baltimore also defeated the Texans in the postseason in January 2024, 34-10, and has won six of the past seven meetings.

Inside Edge intel: Houston is 5-1 when passing for at least 250 yards since the 2024 season began. During the same timeframe, the Ravens have allowed 248.6 passing yards per game.

Houston didn't get to wrapped up in whether or not Lamar Jackson's hamstring would keep him on the sideline this week, knowing the challenge runs deeper because of Baltimore's trove of weapons. RB Derrick Henry has 284 yards on the ground with three touchdowns and plowed through Houston's run defense 27 times for 147 yards and a touchdown on Christmas Day when these teams last met. Cooper Rush was 4-4 last season with the Dallas Cowboys, throwing the ball well on play-action but rarely attacking defenses over the top the way Jackson can with a subtle snap of the wrist. The Texans blanked the Titans last week to win for the first time this season and don't want to drop a fourth game with Indianapolis and Jacksonville going strong atop the AFC South. They might have found something in RB Woody Marks, who tallied 118 yards from scrimmage and scored two TDs last week. Houston is trying to open up the passing game with WR Nico Collins, but pass protection hasn't been perfect. The Ravens are banged up on defense, too, but Baltimore sacked QB C.J. Stroud five times in the meeting last season. Stroud threw a pick and had a QB rating of 59.2.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Colts -6.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: Sunday's winner seizes the lead in a series knotted at 11-11, including a 1-1 split in the playoffs. The Colts have momentum with three wins in the last four meetings. Eight of the last 10 were decided by eight or fewer points.

Inside Edge intel: The Colts have a point differential of plus-16 in the first quarter this season. Las Vegas allowed a touchdown in the first quarter in three of its first four games.

This week's sudden retirement of decorated Colts cornerback Xavien Howard removes at least one threat facing Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who tossed three of his NFL-leading seven interceptions in last weekend's painful 25-24 setback against the Bears. He also threw two touchdown passes to Ashton Jeanty, whose historic day against Chicago made him just the third rookie running back in NFL history with 100-plus rushing yards, one rushing TD and two TD catches in a game. He also leads the league with 15 broken tackles. Losing Howard hurts, but Indy's best defense is an offense that ranks fourth in the NFL with 30.8 points per game behind a resurgent Daniel Jones (third in NFL with 1,078 passing yards). Jonathan Taylor has 100-plus scrimmage yards and a rushing TD in all four career games against the Raiders. First-round pick Tyler Warren leads all tight ends with 263 receiving yards and all rookies with 19 catches.

Denver Broncos (2-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Eagles -4.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: Philadelphia has won three of the past four meetings to lead 9-5 in the all-time series. Two of their last three clashes saw the winner put a 50-piece on the board: The Broncos won 52-20 in 2013, and the Eagles won 51-23 in 2017.

Inside Edge intel: The Broncos are 2-8 since the start of the 2024 season when allowing 100-plus rushing yards.

The X's and O's will be flying in this showdown of veteran play-callers, as Sean Payton's Denver offense will attempt to find cracks in Vic Fangio's defense in Philadelphia. Arkadelphia-born quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos racked up a season-high 512 yards in Monday's 28-3 beating of the Bengals, while the Eagles have yet to allow more than 376 in a game. Philadelphia has held each of its first four opponents to two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts and Co. have not lost at home since Week 2 last season and haven't lost to an AFC foe at home since Nov. 7, 2021 (Chargers). The defending champs are trying to start 5-0 for the third time in four seasons. They'll try to get Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown going against a Denver defense led by All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II and ex-Eagle LB Alex Singleton, who has 32 tackles in his last three games.

Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) at New York Jets (0-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Cowboys -2.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: Dallas won the last meeting 30-10 at home in 2023 after the Jets won the previous three matchups.

Inside Edge intel: The Cowboys are worst in the NFL preventing touchdowns to wide receivers: 1.4 per game since the start of the 2024 season.

The Jets are one of three teams buried under a 0-4 start and are the only squad in the league not to force a turnover. First-year coach Aaron Glenn may have earned raves in the past as a defensive coordinator but his team is tied for 28th in scoring defense (30.0) and ranks last with a minus-7 turnover ratio. QB Justin Fields has gone five consecutive games without throwing an interception and is a threat to run, which presents a new challenge to Dallas' drop zone defense. The Cowboys also having plenty of trouble stopping teams, ranking last in total defense (420.5 yards per game) and 31st in scoring defense (33.0 points). Maybe missing that Micah Parsons guy? Dallas' Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 1,119 passing yards while throwing six touchdowns against three interceptions. Receiver George Pickens has 21 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns and was a top target for Prescott with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) sidelined for last Sunday's 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers. New York's Breece Hall (238 rushing, 108 receiving) is solid but backup Braelon Allen (knee) was placed on injured reserve after being hurt in Monday's 27-21 loss at Miami. Star wideout Garrett Wilson has 27 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.

New York Giants (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (0-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Saints -1.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: The Saints have won three of their last four and seven of the last 10 against the Giants, but New York holds a 17-16 lead in the all-time series.

Inside Edge intel: The Giants have lost 14 consecutive games when trailing at halftime, all in the past two seasons.

Fresh off becoming the first NFL QB since 2002 to win his first career start against a team with a 3-0 record or better, Jaxson Dart now leads the Giants into his first road start at winless New Orleans. Dart wasn't particularly productive in his first career start but was quite effective, throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown, running for 54 and a score and leading a turnover-free offensive performance. With another sack last week, Giants defensive end Brian Burns already has five on the season, his seventh straight season with five-plus sacks. New Orleans QB Spencer Rattler is hoping to snap an 0-10 skid as a starter to begin his NFL career, tied for the sixth-longest streak in NFL history. The Saints passed on Dart with the ninth overall pick, winding up with Tyler Shough, who lost a QB battle to Rattler, in the second round of this year's draft. With two more catches, Saints RB Alvin Kamara (586 career catches) can leap into the top five in NFL history in catches by a running back.

Miami Dolphins (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Dolphins -1.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: This will be the first matchup of these teams in Charlotte since a 45-21 Panthers win in 2017. The Dolphins have won the two games since by a combined margin of 75-31 and lead the series 6-2.

Inside Edge intel: In 13 games with at least one turnover the past two seasons, the Dolphins are 3-10.

Miami plays its first game without star receiver Tyreek Hill, out for the season with dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments sustained in Monday's win over the Jets, this weekend at Carolina. There's optimism about how Jaylen Waddle (4,314 yards and 22 catches in five seasons) can replace Hill's production. Tight end Darren Waller could also help out after recording two touchdown catches in his first game back from a one-year retirement. Carolina followed up a convincing win over Atlanta with a 42-13 dud of a loss last week at New England. Bryce Young is looking for his third straight interception-free start after throwing three in the first two games of the season, but he also ranks 31st out of 33 eligible QBs in yards per pass attempt (5.2). He keeps building chemistry with Tetairoa McMillan, who ranks second among rookies in receiving yards (278) and catches (18) but is still looking for his first career touchdown.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Seahawks -3, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Tampa Bay has lost its last two games at Seattle, last winning there in 2009. The Seahawks lead the series 9-6, but the Buccaneers have won five of the last seven.

Inside Edge intel: Seattle has allowed one rushing touchdown in the past 11 games. The Seahawks have prevented a rushing TD on 128 consecutive drives, best in the NFL.

Tampa Bay nearly pulled off its fourth straight comeback victory to begin the season, but dug itself too big a hole after falling behind 24-3 vs. Philadelphia last week, losing 31-25. QB Baker Mayfield has been exceptional on the road of late, throwing two-plus touchdowns in each of his last four road starts. However, he may be down a few weapons for this game at Seattle with Mike Evans (hamstring) still not practicing and RB Bucky Irving (237 rushing yards, 193 receiving yards) also sidelined in practice with foot/shoulder injuries suffered last week. The Buccaneers do possess the NFL's longest active streak with 100-plus rushing yards in 13 consecutive games. The Seahawks have allowed less than 100 rushing yards in each of their past three games. Seattle is coming off a mini-bye after beating Arizona on a last-second field goal last Thursday. The Seahawks have won three straight games since losing their season opener. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of just two players with 90-plus scrimmage yards in all four games this season and RB Kenneth Walker has five carries for 15-plus yards. Seattle's defense ranks sixth with 12 sacks, including six in the Arizona win. However, it could be a bit depleted with cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) each not practicing Wednesday or Thursday.

Tennessee Titans (0-4) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Cardinals -8.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes and rushed for a score in the most recent matchup, the Cardinals' 38-13 win in Nashville in 2021.

Inside Edge intel: Arizona's Trey McBride has been targeted more than any tight end in the NFL -- 9.1 times per game -- since the start of the 2024 season.

The Titans are one of three 0-4 teams in the NFL and have been outscored by a staggering 69 points. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward sharply criticized the team after Tennessee was outclassed 26-0 by the Houston Texans last week. The Titans had just 175 offensive yards and Ward set season lows for completion rate (38.5 percent) and passing yardage (108). It has been a bumpy start for the No. 1 overall pick. Ward is completing a league-worst 51.2 percent of his throws (among qualifiers) for 614 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Arizona dropped consecutive games by four total points to NFC West rivals San Francisco and Seattle the past two weeks. The Cardinals overcame a 14-point deficit against the Seahawks before falling on a field goal as time expired. Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught six passes for 66 yards and one TD in that contest but also had a ball roll off his hands into those of Seattle's Ernest Jones IV for an interception. The Cardinals lost running back as Trey Benson (knee) and placed him on injured reserve after losing standout James Conner to a season-ending foot injury in the previous game. Either Michael Carter or Emari Demercado will start at RB on Sunday.

Detroit Lions (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Lions -10.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: Cincinnati has won 10 of the past 11 games in the series.

Inside Edge intel: Lions WR Jameson Williams is averaging 8.0 yards per catch this season, third in the NFL. The Bengals are 29th in the NFL, allowing an average of 5.4 yards after catch this season.

Detroit is No. 1 in the NFL with 34.3 points per game as the Lions shrug off outside concern the offense might veer off the rails without coordinator Ben Johnson. QB Jared Goff leads the NFC with nine TD passes and has been pristine on the road with a completion percentage over 70 percent in nine of his last 10 road starts. The Bengals are standing by Jake Browning at quarterback, but he's generated only one touchdown in eight quarters over the two starts since Joe Burrow's toe injury. Browning is 3-1 in four career starts at home. Turnovers are breaking the Bengals' backs -- Browning has thrown a pick for every 10.67 completions -- and holding off the Lions' pass rush headed by Aidan Hutchinson (4.0 sacks this season) is highest priority. Without time to throw, Browning risks continuing to be a target of WR Ja'Marr Chase's frustration. They've connected five times in each of Browning's starts this season but for a grand total of 73 yards.

Washington Commanders (2-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Chargers -2.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: Different millennium, different results. The Chargers were 0-6 vs. Washington in the 20th century but are 5-1 since 2001, the only loss coming in overtime in 2013. Norv Turner coached Washington (1994-2000) and the Chargers (2007-12).

Inside Edge intel: Since Jim Harbaugh was hired in Jan. 2024, the Chargers have 10 games with 120-plus rushing yards. Last week (161 rushing yards at Giants) was the first loss under Harbaugh in a game where the team rushing total was over 120.

It's a California homecoming for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who grew up in San Bernardino and has been cleared to return after missing two games with a left knee injury. Washington managed a split in his absence with Marcus Mariota at the controls but will need Daniels at his best against a stingy Chargers defense that ranks third in the NFL, allowing 270.0 yards per game. The Washington D has been more generous, ranked 27th against the pass. That could be just the tonic Justin Herbert needs, as the L.A. QB has seen his completion percentage drop each week: 73.5 to 70.4 to 59.6 and down to 56.1 in last week's humbling loss to the previously winless Giants. Both sides are rolling with rookie running backs, the Chargers with first-rounder Omarion Hampton (270 rushing yards, two TDs) and the Commanders with seventh-round surprise Jacory Croskey-Merritt (172 rush yards, two TDs).

New England Patriots (2-2) at Buffalo Bills (4-0)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Bills -8.5, Total 49.5

Series Rewind: Buffalo has won eight of the past 11 meetings after New England won 35 of the previous 39 matchups.

Inside Edge intel: The Bills have a streak of eight consecutive games over 100 rushing yards.

Buffalo is one of two 4-0 teams and has racked up 133 points, second-highest in the league behind the Detroit Lions (137). The Bills are vying for their first 5-0 start since 1991, a season in which they reached the Super Bowl. Buffalo also is seeking its 15th consecutive regular-season homefield victory as the club continues to enjoy one of top atmospheres in the sport. New England receiver Stefon Diggs remembers how it works in Orchard Park after spending four seasons - making the Pro Bowl each time - with the Bills. This will be his first trip in as a visiting player since he was traded to the Houston Texans following the 2023 campaign. Diggs had six catches for 101 yards in last week's 42-13 thumping of the Carolina Panthers. That also marked the first time New England reached the 40-point mark since 2021. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is developing well and has completed 74 percent of his passes for 988 yards, seven touchdown and two interceptions. He also has rushed for two scores. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen of the Bills has thrown for 964 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for three scores. James Cook is the NFL's second-leading rusher with 401 yards and has a league-best five rushing touchdowns. New England allowed an opening-drive touchdown in three of its first four games.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3, Total 46.5

Series Rewind: Kansas City has won the last eight games against Jacksonville, including a 27-20 playoff win in the 2023 divisional round.

Inside Edge intel: The Chiefs are 11-0 when possessing the ball longer than their opponent the past two seasons. The Jaguars allowed an average time of possession of 32 minutes since the start of the 2024 season, second-highest in NFL.

The Chiefs are back to .500 after their first 0-2 start in 11 years. Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdowns to four different players in last week's 37-20 win over Baltimore, more than the three TDs he threw in the first three games combined. Xavier Worthy, in his first game back from a dislocated shoulder, led the team in receiving (83) and rushing (38) yards. The Chiefs have turned the ball just once this season, something that will be tested by a Jaguars defense which leads the league in forced turnovers (13) and turnover differential (plus-nine). With a win last week at San Francisco, the Jaguars are 3-1 for just the second time in 15 years. After ranking 26th last season in rushing offense, Jacksonville ranks fourth this season under new coach Liam Coen, averaging 144.0 rushing yards per game. Travis Etienne Jr. is third in the NFL in rushing yards (394) and is averaging a league-best 6.1 yards per carry among players with 25 or more rushes.