We begin Week Five with an incredibly essential video game that could affect the 2026 NFL Playoffs when the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49 ers challenge for first place in the NFC West. With four teams on a bye and 14 video games on the docket, below are five points to watch out for today.
5 Cleveland beginning one of its newbie quarterbacks.
Now that Joe Flacco is effectively done as the starting QB for the Browns, it is up to newbie Dillon Gabriel to show the world what he’s got. He will certainly have the misfortune of having to handle the Minnesota Vikings in London, yet a minimum of that is expected to be a neutral-site video game, also if the NFL schedule checklists Cleveland as the home group. Gabriel is not going to appear there and light the world on fire. But it will certainly interest see how he executes against among the best-coached defenses in the NFL. He’ll most likely commit a minimum of one turnover, yet if the Browns’ infraction can move the round well and rack up some factors, it’ll be considered a great outing for the 2025 third-round draft pick.
4 Will the Buccaneers or Seahawks improve to 4 – 1
A conference between a set of 3 – 1 groups that both have playoff ambitions is a great means to start the late-afternoon slate of Sunday games. Statistically talking, this will be one of the most effective defenses Tampa fl Bay will face all season. Beyond, Sam Darnold will have his most difficult examination of the campaign when he needs to go against a Buccaneers squad that is allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game in the league this year. This one will certainly be a classic, gut-it-out, low-scoring, 1980 s-style football video game that sickos love to listen for. With that said being the case, it’s just fitting that both teams wear their throwback uniforms.
3 The very first conference between Jayden Daniels and Justin Herbert.
I despise the concept that quarterback rivalries exist. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have never gotten on the area at the same time for a single snap. Nonetheless, I can recognize the concept of highlighting quarterbacks as the two most interesting gamers taking part in a game. That’s what we will certainly see Sunday afternoon when the Leaders travel to LA to handle the Chargers. Jayden Daniels is one of the most amazing young quarterback in the NFL. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert has actually currently confirmed that he is statistically one of the best QBs of perpetuity about his age. Protection will definitely play a factor in just how this plays out, but in an ideal globe, Herbert and Daniels will certainly provide viewers with lots of offensive fireworks.
2 The fight for starting point in the NFC West.
Generally, it seems like Thursday Evening Football video games are booked for ugly, turnover-riddled contests between groups like the New York Jets and the Houston Texans. Today, however, there is a whole lot on the line when the Rams play the 49 ers. The champion will relocate right into first place in the NFC West. If the Niners shed, they’ll be up to 2nd location since they have a head-to-head sudden death over the Seahawks. But if the Rams shed, they can drop to third location in the division. The last four games between these two groups have been chosen by 17 factors, which means the typical margin of triumph when LA and San Fran take on is much less than 5 factors. We can anticipate an additional close competition between these 2 in Week Five.
1 Can the Jaguars prove they’re a Super Bowl competitor against the Chiefs?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have already revealed that they’re capable of having fun with the huge children by defeating the San Francisco 49 ers last weekend. Currently, they have an absolutely challenging job of having to take down the Kansas City Chiefs. Similar to the New England Patriots of the 2000 s and the 2010 s, a win against the Chiefs verifies to the world that you have actually gotten here and should be taken a look at as a championship-caliber group. Getting to see the opportunistic Jaguars protection violate the best quarterback of this generation in a standalone game on Monday Night Football when the whole world is watching will certainly be a season-defining base test for new instructor Liam Coen and his squad.