Given the league’s focus on player safety, the only things getting smashed in the NFL these days are offensive records and Bills fans.
According to ESPN, the first quarter of the 2018 season has broken records for: completions (2,999), completion percentage (65.4), passing yards (32,215), passing touchdowns (228), points scored (3,030) and total touchdowns (344).
Many folks in this Big 10, Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust region do love a good defensive battle, and I can appreciate that about 10 percent as much as the next gal. But in a league so long criticized and mocked as the No Fun League, players have had lots of chances to dance.
Eleven QBs have at least 1,200 yards passing already and seven have 10 touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins and Derek Carr are all on pace to break Peyton Manning’s record for single-season pass yards (5,377).
The day after Ryan Fitzpatrick’s jersey arrived at the Hall of Fame for his record-setting 400-plus pass yards in three straight games, he received a seat on the bench in return for his efforts. Ten quarterbacks are on pace to claim their teams’ all-time season passing marks.
A single-digit average margin of victory (9.9 points) is the closest games have been since 1932. Now that’s fun, if you ask me.
Last week’s record was a bit closer to normal at 9-6, leaving my mark to date at 33 and 30. I’ll try to leave the .500 mark a little farther behind by the time we look at Week 6.
COLTS at PATRIOTS
The loss to struggling Houston was not the way the Colts hoped to slide into Week 5 against the Patriots. Yet, Andrew Luck had a career best 464 yards and 4 touchdowns and that with six drops. Other than Luck, Indy rushed for 30 yards. Total. The ground game will have to do better in New England, where the Pats are 26th in rush defense. NE 26-18
BRONCOS at JETS
Yes, the Jets blew up for 48 points and beat the Lions on Monday night in Week 1. They’ve since lost the last three, scoring a combined 41 points in those losses. DENVER 23-12
PACKERS at LIONS
These two clubs have been matching up since 1930. Under GB coach Mike McCarthy, the Pack is 8-4 in Michigan. I don’t know anyone who has any idea what to think about the 1-3 Lions. GREEN BAY 31-15
GIANTS at PANTHERS
Saquon Barkley has surpassed 100 yards in each of his first four career starts. His 27 catches is tops among rookies. And New York’s ground game is still not as good as Carolina’s. The Panthers lead the league in rushing with 166 yards per game and are third per carry at 5.5 yards. PANTHERS 26-17
TITANS at BILLS
Only the 0-4 Cardinals have scored fewer points (37) this year than the Bills, who are being outscored more than two to one at 106-50. TENNESSEE 24-7
FALCONS at STEELERS
Never would I ever have put these teams at 1-3 or 1-2-1 at Week 5. Everyone wants the storybook plotline for McDowell and Pitt alum – not to mention cancer survivor – James Connor, but since posting 135 yards and 2 TDs in his debut he has not helped the black and yellow forget Le’Veon Bell. He rushed for 17 yards in Week 2 and was held to 19 yards on 9 carries last week. ATL’s backfield standout Devonta Freeman, meanwhile, is expected to play despite a knee issue. FALCONS 31-25
RAVENS at BROWNS
Even though the Browns lost in OT at Oakland when last we saw them … YOU GUYS!!! They scored 42 POINTS! They haven’t done that in more than a decade. A cause for excitement to be certain. RAVENS 27-23
DOLPHINS at BENGALS
If the Cincy D can tighten up even a little bit, the Bengals will contend. CINCINNATI 28-20
JAGUARS at CHIEFS
In today’s NFL a strong offense will top a strong defense every time, given the fact offenses have a head start and are favored by the current rulebook. CHIEFS 29-17
RAIDERS at CHARGERS
Derek Carr threw for 437 yards in leading the Raiders back to beat CLE in OT. But it’s the division games where guys who make $125 million gotta earn that cash, homie. OAKLAND 26-24
VIKINGS at EAGLES
The Vikings defense was, reportedly, a strength. Fake news. PHILLY 28-12
RAMS at SEAHAWKS
The Rams are clearly the league’s best and no one ever talks about QB Jared Goff. He probably prefers it that way. RAMS 48-13
CARDINALS at 49ERS
Going out on a limb and taking the Cards to get their first win. ARIZONA 13-9
COWBOYS at TEXANS
The only people interested in this game live in Texas. HOUSTON 20-16
REDSKINS at SAINTS
Washington is coming off a bye, but the 3-1 Saints are on a roll having won three straight. They’re also averaging more than 34 points per. NEW ORLEANS 31-23
The Bears and Buccaneers have a bye this week.
