NFL Week 5 Tuesday Whip-Around: Tony Romo needs a hug

Even though the Vikings weren't playing this week, there was plenty to see week 5 in the NFL, most notably a Texas shootout between Peyton Manning and Tony Romo. The crazy thing, Romo won the battle with Peyton, but his team lost the war, and the game. Romo's numbers were better than Peyton's, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise, as he threw for over 500 yards on just 36 attempts and 25 completions (so an average of over 20 yards per completion). Romo's usual naysayers will point to the fact that he threw a late interception, as seems to be his norm in close games, but Peyton threw an interception earlier in the game (his first of the year, proving he's still semi-human) that Romo took back for a score. Peyton is still the MVP through week five, but Romo has to be one of the top runner ups right now.

Browns 37, Bills 24

1. Both starting quarterbacks suffered knee injuries while scrambling Thrusday, though EJ Manuel was luckier in that he won't be missing the rest of the season. Get out of bounds folks, it's the only way.
2. Wide receiver Josh Gordon's return from suspension has been a big a lift to the Browns' offense as Brian Hoyer starting. With Hoyer out the rest of the year, it's going to need to stay that way.
3. Undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel was pressed into surface after Manuel went down, and performed like an undrafted rookie. Now Buffalo is activating someone from their practice squad to start for them. You let Travaris Jackson go in the offseason Buffalo, any regrets?

Saints 26, Bears 18

1. Rob Ryan blitzed the Bears into submission, as there were plenty of looks the Bears' young offensive line just wasn't ready for.
2. Jimmy Graham might be an even bigger MVP candidate than his quarterback, Drew Brees. Graham has been simply uncoverable for five weeks now.
3. The Bears' have to excited with what they're seeing from Alshon Jeffery and his development. On a day when the Saints bracketed Brandon Marshall most of the time, Jeffery took advantage for 10 catches and 218 yards.

Bengals 13, Patriots 6

1. A big step back for this offense and Brady, who was so close to breaking Drew Brees' record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Brady hasn't received nearly the amount of publicity he should have for that streak, as like Brees he broke Unitas' record of 47 straight games, which was thought to be one of the most unbreakable records in the NFL.
2. The Bengals' defensive line shut down any sort of Patriot attack, putting the offense on its back and carrying it to the W.
3. Andy Dalton was much better this week, but a bad interception thrown across his body will do nothing to silence his critics.

Packers 22, Lions 9

1. The Lions' offense without Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush isn't pretty. In fact, it's pretty darn ugly.
2. The Packers chose an interesting offensive strategy by trying to win up front against the Lions' tough defensive line, running Eddie Lacy 23 times.
3. The offensive balance that Packers achieved helped open things up for Aaron Rodgers, who found some big openings in the second half.

Colts 34, Seahawks 28

1. Andrew Luck has done it again, getting game winning drive number nine of his career against the NFL's best secondary.
2. Receiver TY Hilton feasted on cornerback Richard Sherman of all people, catching two beautiful deep balls for touchdowns in the middle of a five catch, 140 yard day.
3. The Seahawks had their ground game churning, as Russel Wilson and Marshawn Lynch each had 102 yards, but their passing game isn't quite clicking yet (Wilson completed only 15 of 31 passes).

Ravens 26, Dolphins 23

1. Rough day for Ryan Tannehill. He was sacked six times and his receivers were letting balls go right through their hands. The young quarterback had to be frustrated.
2. Terrelle Suggs was in on three sacks of Tanehill. His body has clearly healed from the Achilles tear he suffered last year, even if his brain may need some work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1keH8KNKTM).
3. Instead of giving him only five carries like last week, the Ravens decided to overcompensate and give Ray Rice 27 carries. Rice is still dealing with a hip injury and a bad offensive line, so all those carries only went for 74 yards (2.7 yards per carry).

Eagles 36, Giants 21

1. Michael Vick was injured in this game, to the surprise of nobody, meaning Nick Foles may have a chance to prove he's the better (and safer) option for Chip Kelly.
2. Eli Manning was having a good day coming into the 4th quarter, but then one thing went wrong and everything collapsed. It's frightening how inept this team has been this year.
3. The Eagles and now in first place in the NFC East with a losing record. It's very possible that we could see a division winner here with a losing record, like the 2010 7-9 Seahawks.

Rams 34, Jaguars 20

1. The loss of left tackle Luke Joeckel is huge for the Jaguars, right after they traded Eugene Monroe to the Ravens. Does Ozzie do take-backs?
2. Blaine Gabbert may finally be done in Jacksonville after play horribly and getting injured. It's amazing Gabbert was a starter in this league longer than Christian Ponder.
3. The Rams can't get that excited over the win (it is the Jaguars, after all) but new starting running back Zac Stacy did have a nice day, taking 14 carries for 78 yards.

Chiefs 26, Titans 17

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick just isn't Jake Locker (or at least, 2013 Jake Locker), as he wasn't able to bring this team back in this game late.
2. Alex Smith wasn't exactly impressive in this game either, as he continues to have a low numbers of yards per attempt and relies a lot on his defense to put him in favorable spots.
3. The Chiefs are the 1st team to only win two games one year and then start 5-0 the next. The Chiefs are on a roll, and outside on facing Denver twice, their schedule isn't getting any tougher.

Cardinals 22, Panthers 6

1. Carolina is already checking out potential head coaches, so don't let the door hit you on the way out, Ron Rivera.
2. When the Panthers get a new coach, will that coach want Cam Newton as their starting quarterback? Newton has plenty of talent but he can turn in clunkers like this game and he still isn't producing wins.
3. This win belongs to the Cardinal defense. With seven sacks, three interceptions and a safety, the defense on this team is why they have a winning record.

Broncos 51, Cowboys 48

1. WHAT. A. GAME. Good luck topping this one, other NFL teams.
2. Tony Romo needs a hug right now. The man had the best game of his NFL career and put had one of the best quarterback performances of my lifetime, but it'll all get swept away by that late pick.
3. What record won't Peyton Manning break this season?

49ers 34, Texans 3

1. Speaking of people who need hugs: Matt Schaub. Schaub is at the lowest of lows right now, but TJ Yates isn't a better option. 
2. Colin Kaepernick completed only six passes Sunday, so while the 49ers have been winning their passing game still has no life.
3. Was the 49ers defense that good or was Matt Schaub that bad? Probably more the latter, but still a good showing for them without Patrick Willis or Aldon Smith.

Raiders 27, Chargers 17

1. Running with Danny Woodhead on the goal line? You're better than this, Mike McCoy.
2. Charles Woodson still knows how to ball, scoring his 13th defensive score (tied for an NFL record) and picking off Philip Rivers to seal the game.
3. Josh Freeman was reportedly considering signing with Oakland Sunday night to compete with Terrelle Pryor for the starting job there. Think what he saw from Pryor Sunday caused him to choose the Vikings?

Jets 30, Falcons 28

1. Monday night was GOOD Geno Smith. He went 16/20 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, but most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over for the first time in his career.
2. This Falcon defense is bad....so bad. No one can cover and Osi Umenyiora is the only one applying pressure right now.
3. Sheldon Richardson is Kiko Alonso's main competition for Defensive Rookie of the Year, as he's been extremely disruptive in Rex Ryan's front, and even came in as an extra blocker on one of Geno's touchdowns.