5 Best NFL games for fans to watch in Week 5
By Lucas Schuh
Things are getting crazy in NFL Week 5 but the football should be fun to watch.
COVID-19 was the NFL‘s primary concern coming into the 2020 season and rightfully so. But through the first three weeks, the league seemed to be doing well. Things have changed as we’re in NFL Week 5, however.
After the Titans-Steelers matchup slated for Week 4 was postponed to Week 7 due to an outbreak on the Tennessee roster and Cam Newton tested positive as well, getting the Patriots-Chiefs tilt pushed to Monday night instead of Sunday afternoon, more changes have come. In NFL Week 5, the Patriots-Broncos and Titans-Bills games have been pushed to Monday and Tuesday night, respectively.
It’s hard to see this being the only time the league encounters something like this throughout the rest of the season, to be sure. But while we’ve still got football, we should enjoy it and cherish it. So looking at the NFL Week 5 slate after Thursday night’s 20-19 win for the Bears, these are the best games for fans to watch.
5. Denver Broncos vs New England Patriots
As mentioned, the Patriots have had their own issues with COVID-19 in the past week. Not only did Newton test positive, which ruled him out in Week 4 against Kansas City, an eventual loss for Bill Belichick’s team, but cornerback Stephon Gilmore also tested positive this week. Subsequently, the Pats could feel the effects throughout their roster as this Week 5 matchup with the Broncos has now been moved to Monday night.
While the Patriots might be losing players this week, the Broncos might actually getting some back. Denver has seen the likes of Von Miller and Courtland Sutton go down for the year already while quarterback Drew Lock and new addition A.J. Bouye have been banged up as well and missing time. But again, things could be turning around.
There’s a chance that Lock could return for Monday’s Week 5 matchup with the Patriots. Moreover, the Broncos could be getting running back Phillip Lindsay, another player who has been on the sidelines, back into the fold. Both additions would be huge for the offense.
At full strength on paper, the Patriots are the better team with the better roster when compared to the Broncos. After this week and with Newton and Gilmore’s positive tests, however, the playing field might be more balanced, which should make for an intriguing matchup.