Week 5 Recap: Patriots Receive Rude Awakening

By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

If New England sports fans were looking for the Patriots to ease some of the pain of the Red Sox getting swept out of the playoffs, they instead received a rude awakening. No doubt about it. It was a dark day in New England sports.

Broncos 20 (5-0)Patriots 17 (3-2)

The Patriots defense allowed a 98 yard TD drive to tie the game, and then allowed the Broncos to march right down the field to get the game winning field goal in OT. There was plenty of blame to go around however, as Tom Brady missed a wide open Randy Moss in the end zone in the 1st quarter, missed Wes Welker for a potential big gainer in the 4th quarter, and then fumbled late as the Patriots were attempting to get in position for a field goal. Brady led the offense to a grand total of zero points in the 2nd half. We still don't know if the Broncos are for real, but it's beginning to look like the Patriots are certainly not for real.

Cowboys 26 (3-2) Chiefs 20 (0-5)

The sigh of relief you heard coming out of Arrowhead was from Tony Romo, as Romo hit Miles Austin for a sixty yard TD in overtime to give the Cowboys the win. Austin had a huge day, gaining 250 yards and a pair of TDs in the win. Romo and the Cowboys may not have been allowed back into Texas if they had lost this one.

Bengals 17 (4-1) Raven 14 (3-2)

Another week, another game decided in the final seconds for the Bengals. Carson Palmer hit Andre Caldwell for the go ahead score with 22 seconds left to give the Bengals another last minute win, this time in Baltimore. Don't look now, but he Bengals are in first place in the AFC North.

Browns 6 (1-4) Bills 3 (1-4)

This was a text book example of an ugly win. Derek Anderson went 2 for 17 passing, but yet somehow the Browns still won. Roscoe Parrish fumbled on a punt return late in the 4th quarter, setting up a game winning 18 yard field goal. Dick Jauron could very well be the first coach fired this season.

Panthers 20 (1-3) Redskin 19 (2-3)

If Dick Jauron is the first coach fired this year, he won't be alone very long. Jim Zorn will be right behind him. After building a 17-2 lead in the 3rd quarter in Charlotte, the Redskins fumbled it away as an Antwaan Randle El fumbled punt lead to the go ahead TD by Jonathan Stewart. The Redskins offense was once again non-existent, gaining under 200 total yards for the game. To make matters worse, the Redskins have had the easiest schedule in the league, playing the Rams, Lions, Bucs, and Panthers. Next up are the Chiefs. You know you are a bad team when you will not have a winning record after that stretch of games.

Steelers 28 (3-2) Lions 20 (1-4)

As has been the case most of this season, the Steelers allowed their opponent to hang around. This time if did not hurt them, as Ben Roethlisberger's 3 TD passes helped the Steelers get by an improving Lions team in Detroit.

Vikings 38 (5-0) Rams 10 (0-5)

Brett Favre showed no signs of a let down a week after beating his old team, as the Vikings remained perfect on the season. Favre threw for 232 yards and a score, more than enough offense to get by the Rams. The Rams have scored only 4 touchdowns the entire year. It's hard to believe that there is an offense in the NFL worse than the Redskins.

Giants 44 (5-0) Raiders 7 (1-4)

The Giants scored touchdowns on their first four possessions, crushing the Raiders in the Meadowlands to stay unbeaten. The good news for the Raiders? JeMarcus Russell had a QB rating over 80 for the game, the first time his rating has been higher than 50 in any game this year. Plus, Tom Cable didn't punch anyone.

Eagles 33 (3-1) Buccaneers 14 (0-5)

McNabb showed non signs of rust in his first game back from injury, throwing for 264 yards and 3TD in an easy win at home against Tampa Bay. The Bucs remain winless, having now lost nine straight games dating back to last year.

Falcons 45 (3-1) 49ers 10 (3-2)

Roddy White finally had the kind of game his fantasy football owners had been waiting for, gaining 210 yards and cathcing a pair of TDs as the Falcons destroyed the 49ers in San Fransico. Last week the 49ers shut out the Rams. This week they allowed nearly 500 total yards and 45 points. Safe to say Mike Singletary will have a fun week of practice for his team.

Seahawks 41 (2-3) Jaguars 0 (2-3)

Behind 4 TD passes from Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks hammered the Jags in Seattle. Jacksonville is a tough team to figure out. After back to back games with 30 or more points, the Jaguars didn't even gain 200 total yards against the Seahawks.

Cardinals 28 (2-2) Texans 21 (2-3)

After building a 21-0 lead, the Cardinals had to turn to their defense to get the win. A last minute goal line stand kept the Texans from tying the game at 28 apiece. Both Matt Schaub and Kurt Warner had big days, each throwing for over 300 yards and 2TDs.

Colts 31 (5-0)Titans 9 (0-5)

Peyton Manning sure looks like the league MVP. Manning once again went over 300 yards passing, his fifth straight game over 300 yards, leading the Colts to an easy win over a disappointing Titans team.