The NFL Report: The Top 5 Things Heading into Week 5 + Lamar is out and Jayden is Back

Lamar Jackson missed a month last year. Is he going to miss a game this coming Sunday night? We have the latest from Baltimore on the NFL report. There are issues in Houston with the defense. We'll go there and tell you how D'Amico Ryan shook things up today. And we have the top five plays as we head to week five. Is the guy wearing number one number one on the countdown? It's next on the NFL report. We have a big trade as well today, one that kind of came out of nowhere. Welcome to the NFL reports, a Wednesday edition heading into week five. My name is Andrew Siciliano. We are presented to you by Nationwide. Here is right out of the gate. What is news to me?

Our latest headlines. And I mentioned Houston. Yeah, no one saw 0-4 coming, did you? I don't think so, but we had a big shakeup today and it's not on the offensive side of the ball. D'Amico Ryan's on the defensive side of the ball is taking back play calling. Matt Burke has been the guy since early last season, but you need to do something different.

And today D'Amico did.

It all starts with me.

Like if there's a lack in communication, I look at myself first. So it starts with me and making sure I'm a better communicator. So just to help spark things more. I'm going to take over the play calling for the defense, and I'm going to make sure that communication is right. If our guys are saying communication is not right, then ultimately it falls on me. So it's on me to get it fixed. So it's just no slight against Coach Burke.

He's done an outstanding job. I just want to make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible so that isn't the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talking about communication.

Texans are in Nashville to play the winless Titans coming up on Sunday. Meantime, this shocker out of Philadelphia. The Eagles are trading Cam Juergens, former center, been playing guard to the Ravens. It's a very similar deal to the one done last week between the Steelers and the Cowboys for Joey Porter. There's a five and there's a two.

Juergens right now, though, is in concussion protocol. Remember, the Ravens have lost two. Three centers. Howie Roseman, a day after Lane Johnson retires, says they're not selling. They are still in on this season, a season that Sunday will take them to London to face the Jaguars. But that was a stunner. This is not a stunner in Baltimore.

Lamar Jackson is not practicing on Wednesdays. Coming back from the ankle injury, he didn't play the second half of the win this past Sunday over the Titans. Last year, he missed four games. This week, they're in Atlanta.

Yeah, it's Wednesday.

You know, there's a lot of time between now and Sunday. I think to Lamar's credit, he's, you know, getting a lot of treatment and doing things and There'll be a point later in the week where we'll figure out kind of where it's at. But to his credit, he's putting in work and working with the trainers and things like that.

And when he's ready to play, he'll be ready to play.

So, Jesse, when will he not be available?

Is that Friday?

You know, I think there's guys that can really go all the way up until that time limit before the game. calibers of players and enough experience to be able to play without a week of practice. I think he's in that category based on everything that he's accomplished. And so we'll see how the week shakes out and see where that leads us towards the end of the week.

Keep in mind, it is a Sunday night game for the Ravens in Atlanta. If Lamar Jackson can't go, it's going to be this guy, Tyler Huntley, who finished in week four. He was 2-0 last year as a starter when Jackson was out. He is 8-9 in his career. And don't forget, I know Mark Andrews doesn't, that Tyler Huntley started a playoff game and made his way into the Pro Bowl in 2022.

He's a commander.

He goes in the huddle. Everybody is able to really just follow him, and I think that's a really good quality.

He's a gamer.

He's a guy that goes in there and is going to be electric. I can't say really enough about Snoop. He's been in these types of situations so often, and he's always come through.

Let's go to the Bengals.

They are in Miami to face the winless Dolphins coming up on Sunday. And right now their top two wide receivers are question marks. Jamar Chase still in concussion protocol. Tee Higgins, meantime, has an abductor injury. Both of them today. were out of practice. Meantime, there's Joe Burrow. Does he have anyone to throw to? They are 2-2, and after they lost to the Jaguars this past Sunday, and he threw 54 times, he says that he's willing to throw the ball more. Today, he was asked to clarify. Did he mean in that game specifically or big picture?

You know, I might have been a little emotional after the game.

Obviously, you want to have balance.

As an offense, and. You know, the run game wasn't good enough on Sunday.

And, you know, I feel confident in myself that you put it in my hands and I'm going to make it work. And obviously, like you said, it's very situational, you know, when you get into a game like Sunday and, you know, they're a really good defense, really good front seven. And, you know, I felt like we were moving the ball pretty well in the past game.

But, yeah, we got to be more balanced going forward and a big part of that is the running game. Here's some good injury news.

Sure looks like Jaden Daniels is going to be back this week for the Commanders. They face the Giants. That game is in Washington. Daniels has missed the last two games with a dislocated left elbow, but he was a full participant today in practice.

Duff, what gave you the confidence as you were getting evaluated and meeting with those consultants that you can not only come back and play, but be you when you're back out there?

Um, It's my non-throwing arm, so I think as long as I got the right one to attack, you know, I think I'll be all right.

But how confident are you in the ability of you to kind of get back up to speed quickly this week?

I'm super confident. I mean, you know, just putting in the countless hours of work and preparation, I just go out there and give myself the best opportunity to perform to the best of my abilities on Sunday. So, you know, just taking it day by day, really.

We have eight games in the early window coming up on Sunday. We also have top left corner there, that game in London. Again, it's in Tottenham for the second straight week, the Eagles and the Jaguars.

Let's focus on the game.

About two-thirds of the way down the column on the left, the one of the NFC North, the one that is a playoff rematch.

Snap to Love. Drop the snap. Picks it up. Keep him in the pocket. Love circles back. Now rolling right. Now he throws to the end zone. And it's dropped. The interception drop. And it doesn't matter. Game is over.

Game is over.

The Bears have dumped him all the way behind. And they beat the Green Bay Packers.

To his first playoff win as a Chicago Bear.

I love it.

For my money, it is the best rivalry in the entire NFL. They don't like each other. Ditka, Forrest, Greg, you name it. Whatever coaching head-to-head you want. This time it's Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur. They don't like each other right now. They're all looking up at the Vikings. The Bears, however, are three and one behind Minnesota. So last year they met three times, obviously, including the playoffs there.

The Bears won two out of three. They won in December and they won again in the postseason. Last week, the Bears just destroyed the Jets. They had more first downs, fun fact, than the Jets ran plays last.

It's an NFC North opponent, and they're the defending champions. So, you know, there's always an added importance, I think, in divisional games. And they're one of the premier teams in the National Football League. Yeah, they're really good. I would say that's one of their strengths of their team is up front. They get after you. They got two really good backs. You could argue it might be the best one-two combo in the league. So they do a great job with that. I think their pass game feeds off their run game. So it's gonna take all 11 and it starts with everybody being on the same page and then Well, not only owning your assignment, but you got a you got a build wall a build a wall You got to leverage the ball and you got to

have multiple hats at the ball because these backs can make you miss I see a really good quarterback. He's he throws with anticipation. He gets a ball out of his hands and He goes to the right spots. So, I mean, I know he's their backup, but he could start for many teams in the league.

Talking about Tyson Bajent there, who is going to be the quarterback this week again for the Bears. It's going to be Jordan Love for the 2-2 Packers. They're coming off another close call, but they did get out of Tampa last week with a victory.

Notable in that game, with.

The banged-up offensive line, Love wasn't sacked for the first time all year.

Their offense, you know, obviously Jordan Love's one of the better quarterbacks in this league he he uh is as accurate as anybody um i think they got great speed on the outside and uh you know they've given us issues in the past so uh will be a really big challenge for us on the.

Road You saw the Vikings top the division. They are 4-0. How are they undefeated when they have no offense? It's because of this defense we saw last week against the Dolphins. They're giving up a league-low 12.8 points a game.

Kevin O'Connell visiting the Saints this week.

I think Kellen Moore is a really good coach. Brandon is one of the best defensive coaches in football. I think he's got a great coaching staff and a really talented team. So going through it today with the team, you know, it was pretty clear to show examples of how well coached they are, how good of a, how talented of a group they have. You know, young quarterback playing really well. So this is going to be, you know, as big of a challenge. They're all challenges, but as big of a challenge as, you know, you can imagine to try to go 1-0 in the NFC this week.

Also undefeated, your San Francisco 49ers. This is as good a game as there is on the schedule this week. It's the Niners. It's the Seahawks. San Francisco has won four straight in Seattle. Brock Purdy has never lost up there. Yeah, this one's big.

They're as good as it gets. I mean, just individually, I mean, I think Leonard Williams is second to none just in how good of a player he's been here over the last few years and still is. And then just how deep they are. There's not one guy out there who's not a good player. They roll them, so they play like overachievers because of how hard they go.

They play with their hair on fire, but they're definitely more than that because they're very talented. So it starts with Leonard, but down the line. I mean, even outside with Dexter Lawrence, who's been good for so long, and they've got a real good group.

Leonard being Leonard Williams.

Let's talk about the Jaguars. They like when we talk about them.

They get a national TV audience this week for the first time all year. Also next week, by the way, as well, it is two games in London for them. They get the Eagles in the first one and the Texans next week.

I hope that we're a mature enough group to understand that, you know, this is a what have you done for me lately league and um you know when you win usually they're going to talk about you well and you know if we don't play well or don't play Travis enough on offense, it's going to get talked about no matter what.

It's so much more, like, about us.

Like, we cannot look at anything outside for any sort of, you know, validation, if you will, right? Because for good or for bad, I mean, yeah, we can use stuff. But, like, our players, honestly, this year, we have not really been using, like, a ton of stuff on the outside because they're kind of just like, whatever, man.

At this point, we just know what it is. Like, we still have not earned anything. Like, we have not earned it.

So we got to go continue to take it with the way that we play.

The Cowboys, by the way, do get national attention. Jaguars deserve more.

That's neither here nor there.

Cowboys are about to start a run of three consecutive primetime games, including Thursday night when they open up week five with the Buccaneers in town. Cowboys offense is heating up 102 points combined in their last three games. Remember how Dak Prescott a couple of weeks ago said that this would be the greatest offense there is?

No, I got no regrets. We're, what, four games in. I think we can get better. Am I complacent with what we've done? Absolutely not. Do I think what we've done, is it enough? Absolutely not. Do I still believe that that's who we are and that's who we're going to be? Damn right. I bring up the do you regret saying that because when you say, as a Cowboys player and especially Dak Prescott, when you say things, people run with it, they talk about it. I wouldn't say if I wouldn't believe it. I can pretty firmly say you won't catch me saying I regret anything.

We work Jane Slater into the show like good old times. I love it.

Jalen Daniels and Dak Prescott, that is your quarterback, tête-à-tête.

Thursday night, week five is here already.

We open up with Prime Video, Amazon, TNF, Cowboys, and Buccaneers tomorrow night. That was a 15-minute A-block game.

TV term.

Coming up next, we roll on with the Patriots. Such a binary existence. Last week, the sky was falling. This week, maybe they beat the 3-1 Raiders next. You're watching the NFL Report. I'm Andrew Siciliano. Let's get back to the Sunday night game. It's the Falcons, red hot. They won their last two, hosting the Ravens on Sunday night. That man, Bajon Robinson, second of the league in rushing. This week on the other sideline, future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry, who's fourth in the league in rushing.

Game respects game.

He's one of the guys who I, like you said, have been watching for a long time. And my respect for him is, I mean, out of this world, like the things that he's able to do still to this point is, I mean, that's just a blessing. I'm really excited to get to watch him play in person because, like, he's one of the role models who I look up to. And, you know, even just me and him talking to this day, like, you know, it's nothing but respect for each other.

And so to be able to get to play against him, it will be pretty cool. Let's get back to the Patriots. As mentioned going to break there, it is such a binary existence. Win, everything is great. Lose, it's the end of the world. Compare the Patriots now to a week ago when they were coming off that horrible loss to the Jaguars.

Now they win, they win in Buffalo, and things are looking up. I think we're just kind of starting up the mountain.

I think you'd like to think that and we've got to go improve that, but it's a race for us to improve and knowing that you've got to improve throughout the season and throughout the the year for these teams and these teams once you get closer to the end that are going to kind of be at their best at the end and I think that's one of the things that you strive to do throughout the year and knowing that you like to you know say everybody especially on offense you like to say that you know obviously the first three weeks wasn't what we wanted to put out there and you got to try to build off last week and and knowing that you know it's it's it's not just going to do it for you you got to put the work in and in the focus

and and hopefully continue to catch a trend and catch a stride.

Also trending in the right direction, the Cleveland Browns. They have won three in a row. They beat the Steelers this past Thursday. Now off a mini bye. They have to go to New York to play the Jets. This is also a litmus test. They weren't supposed to beat the Steelers. Now many people think they are supposed to beat the Jets.

What a great career he's had. I mean, you know, I was all the way back at Oklahoma State when he was at West Virginia and they came in the Big 12 and You know, they had a couple of really good receivers and really fun to watch on offense. And, you know, he's had a terrific career, you know, and to get opportunities, you know, not only in Seattle and then with the Jets. You know, I see a very productive player, a guy that throws an elite deep ball. And, you know, it'll be a handful. We're going to have to do a great job Sunday of eliminating some of the explosive plays that he's capable of creating.

Todd Munkin talking about Geno Smith there, who has yet to be picked off this year.

Cam Ward, however, has.

Did anyone think this game in Tennessee Sunday would feature two 0-4 teams? The Texans and the Titans are both looking for their first win. For Robert Sala, it's also his first divisional game as head coach.

One of the things we talk about is owning the South and owning it is not just a one-time thing. We want to own it for as long as we're here. And this is our first crack at a division opponent. It's a very talented group, obviously. They're nowhere near indicative of what their record is. So it's important to be able to compete and challenge the other three teams in your division.

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Coming up next on the NFL Report, Bajon, untouched, is in the conversation for plays of the year. I know it's early, but let's do a countdown because we love lists.

Straight ahead.

Is it too early to have the MVP conversation? No, it's October. Of course not. Brock Purdy should be number one in this conversation. Kevin Patra thinks so, because right now on NFL.com, NFL.com slash MVP rankings, the Niners quarterback is number one in that conversation. Josh Allen is in the convo as well. I right now honestly would vote for Kenneth Walker, but I don't have a vote. Trevor Lawrence, JSN. Again, NFL.com slash MVP rankings. Patra's doing the rankings. We're also going to rank top plays.

Want to do that?

Let's count them down. Our top five plays. as we head to week number five.

Second and ten out of the timeout.

It's picked off and it's Watt. He's all over the place.

T.J.

Watt still going to the end zone. It's a touchdown and it's T.J. Watt at his best.

He's got the snap count down.

T.J.

Watt in a game where this Steelers offense has really struggled. He's completely taken over this game.

The Chiefs hand it off.

Walker trying to get to the outside.

Does so.

Up to 45.

Midfield.

45 to the Broncos.

40, 30, 25.

Stays in bounds.

Touchdown! Kansas City on fourth down and one. It's a home run. 60-yard run by Ken Walker III. Welcome to the kingdom, Ken Walker. It's like you've been here all along.

Oh, what a flip Mike Evans to Debo Samuel. Breaks a tackle and Samuel on the run. Debo Samuel razzle dazzle touchdown.

82 yards.

The completion to Mike Evans. The pitch to Debo who did the rest.

Here comes the blitz.

Hamlin on the run. May rolls right. Rolls in for Chisholm.

He reaches out with the right hand.

He makes the catch. Diving into the end zone.

Touchdown.

Patriots.

You've got to.

Be kidding me. Efton Chisholm. So huge.

Chisholm is on his drive. 19 yards on the dig. And it's a one-handed catch.

Efton Chisholm with a remarkable effort.

Comes down with an incredible. Concentration to make the catch.

The Patriots have the lead 27-26.

Burrow deep for Chase. And he caught it!

Touchdown!

I thought he was falling.

Unbelievable!

32-yard touchdown reception!

The body control!

I didn't do the countdown, but I support that countdown and everything is made better with Kevin Harlan.

Let's do some quick hits. This is not good.

Out of L.A., across the street from where we stand now, Joe Alt expected to miss Sunday's game. The left tackle, the Chargers are winless. This, according to Ian, is not good. It is a neck injury. Ian says right now no plans for injured reserve. No plans to activate OBJ this week. But the former giant, the former a lot of things, signed with the Vikings today. He's on the practice squad.

If Beckham does suit up for the Vikings, it would be his seventh. NFL team. We told you about the play caller change in Houston. This is really, really good news out of Houston. The Texans today opened the 21-day window for wide receiver Tank Dell. He has not played since that gruesome, still hard to watch knee injury all the way back in week 16 of 2024. He missed all of last year. Also really encouraging news for the Lions. Remember, they've been without their safeties, Kirby Joseph and that guy Brian Branch, all year. Branch was back at Lions practice today.

Torn Achilles December of last year. We have not seen him since either. All right. We'll do players of the week. Let's do it. Tedaroa McMillan, the first Panthers wide receiver for NFC player of the week. How about that? We also have. Deontay Banks with the pick six as the defensive player of the week there in the NFC. Your AFC players are Foye Aluokun, Matt Ariza, and we'll end on the left side of your screen with Drake May.

Because as we have time.

For one more thing before we go, our one more thing is Drake May. So all Patriots quarterbacks for years have done a Monday radio hit on local station WEEI in Boston. They did a segment Monday where they asked Drake May what's his like craziest conspiracy theory that.

He believes in. You know what he said?

That he's not sure we landed on the moon.

Don't yell at me. We landed on the moon, friends. Drake, we landed on the moon.

Now, what you should have asked is, is it hollow and what's on the dark side? And last year, did we really go to the dark side of the moon?

That's what you should have asked, Trey.

The NFL Report: The Top 5 Things Heading into Week 5 + Lamar is out and Jayden is Back

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