Five worst NFL Week 5 performances: Inexplicable Cardinals loss should lead to big changes

The Titans turned that miscue into an 80-yard touchdown drive, and they pulled closer after Cardinals defensive back Dadrion Taylor-Demerson fumbled an interception, and the ball trickled into the end zone before being recovered by Tennessee for the score.

It’s hard to see how Arizona, which has lost three consecutive games after a 2-0 start, recovers. This is the kind of loss that can sink a season and lead to big changes. That might be exactly what the Cardinals need.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning

Three fourth-quarter touchdown passes saved Browning from a truly horrific stat line, but it wasn’t enough to move him outside of the five worst performances of the weekend.

As with Arizona, Cincinnati dropped its third game in a row after winning its first two on Sunday, losing at home, 37-24, to the Detroit Lions (4-1), and Browning showed why the Bengals must upgrade at quarterback to survive until starter Joe Burrow returns.

Browning was 26-of-40 for 251 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He made poor decisions on his turnovers, throwing a deep ball with no chance of being caught in the second quarter that was easily plucked from the air by safety Kerby Joseph. On the opening possession of the second half, Browning threw the football directly to linebacker Alex Anzalone, and the Lions converted the takeaway into a touchdown and a 21-3 lead.

Browning was so bad that at one point, Chase was among the team’s leading tacklers, coming up with stops after each of Browning’s interceptions.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith

It’s time for Raiders quarterback Geno Smith to pick up the pen.

After memorably denouncing his critics en route to being named 2022 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, saying  “They wrote me off, I ain’t write back though,” after a Week 1 win, Smith has taken a major step back. He had his worst game of the season in Sunday’s 40-6 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts (4-1), going 25-of-36 for 228 yards and two interceptions. When accounting for sacks and rush attempts, Smith accounted for 198 yards on 43 touches (4.6 yards per play).

The Raiders (1-4) signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension after acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks in March for a 2025 third-round pick, but his days as a starting quarterback could be numbered. With the season quickly going sideways, Las Vegas could have a prime first-round pick in the 2026 draft, allowing it to pick Smith’s replacement, even though it could probably use one sooner.

Miami Dolphins' line of scrimmage

The Dolphins squandered a three-possession lead against the Carolina Panthers, thanks largely to their inability to control the line of scrimmage. Carolina outplayed Miami up front, showing where the Dolphins have the most room for improvement.

 The offensive line allowed three sacks, and Miami averaged 1.4 yards per carry, gaining 19 yards on 14 rush attempts. Through their first four games, the Panthers allowed 129.3 rushing yards per game and ranked No. 27 in rush yards per attempt (4.7). The Dolphins' defensive front was even worse, allowing Rico Dowdle, who entered Week 5 last among qualifying backs in rush yards over expected per attempt (h/t NFL Pro), to gain a career-high 206 rushing yards on 23 carries as the Panthers erased a 17-point deficit to win, 26-24. Until Miami is able to impose its will at the line of scrimmage, the organization can forget about being a playoff contender.

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn

Is it too early to worry about the first-year Jets head coach’s job security? Probably not.

New York fell to 0-5 following a 37-22 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1). Per ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini, Glenn became the first coach in franchise history to begin his career with the organization with five consecutive losses.

The Jets made more unfortunate history in the defeat, failing once again to notch a takeaway, becoming the first team in NFL history to start a season 0-5 with no turnovers on defense.

That’s a bad look for any team, especially one that hired a defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn, this offseason. While few expected New York to compete for a playoff spot this season, it also has no business being one of the league’s last two winless teams. With each passing week, Glenn appears as though he could go one-and-done.