Broncos v Buccaneers and protecting Cam Newton dominate NFL storylines
Thursday 6 October 2016 09:06, UK
The best offence v the best defence as well as the return of a four-time Super Bowl winner lead the week five story lines.
1. Offence v Defence
The best ranked offence in the NFL travels to one of the league's best defences when Matt Ryan's Atlanta Falcons travel to Mile High stadium to take on Von Miller's Denver Broncos. The Falcons attack proved it was the real deal in week four as Ryan threw for 500 yards against the usually-dominant Carolina Panthers.
It is not just a case of keeping Julio Jones quiet. The Falcons boast the sixth best ground game so far this season, with both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman contributing.
Don't sleep on the Broncos offence though, who are fifth in points scored, averaging 27 a game. The Falcons will need to improve their pass rush and heap pressure on whoever lines up at quarterback for Denver.
2. Tom Brady returns
After a four-game suspension, Tom Brady returns to his 3-1 New England Patriots with a chip on his shoulder, ready to go to work. The Patriots organisation are remaining tight-lipped about Brady's preparation for week five, but facing the 0-4 Cleveland Browns, the four-time Super Bowl winner will be out to make a statement.
3. Protecting Cam
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton suffered his first official concussion in the Panthers' 48-33 loss to the Falcons last week. Newton has faced a tough start to 2016, having also been roughed up by the Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, where he was sacked eight times.
The offensive line needs to do a better job of protecting the face of the franchise if they want to see him make the play-offs. If the Panthers make the play-offs, that is. Having started 1-3, Carolina will be looking to set the record straight against Tampa Bay on Monday night.
4. High scoring affair?
Two of the highest scorers, and two of the most porous defences meet in week five, in an all-Californian clash. The San Diego Chargers make the 500-mile trip to play the Oakland Raiders with the two teams contrasting in their opening four games.
San Diego lost Keenum Allen and Danny Woodhead early in the season and, having beaten the Jaguars in week two San Diego have lost their other three games by less than a score.
The Raiders are 3-1, with all three wins coming on the road, including a one-point victory over the previously unbeaten Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Derek Carr was given the match ball after finding Michael Crabtree three times, and the third year QB will be hoping to maintain pressure on their AFC West rivals with a divisional win on Sunday.
5. Short week pressure?
The Minnesota Vikings continued their unbeaten start to the season with victory over the New York Giants on Monday night. They now prepare for the visit of the 3-1 Houston Texans, another tough test for Sam Bradford's offence.
Bradford's stock continues to rise as he grows into the Vikings offence. On Monday he used all nine receivers in their 24-10 win over the New York Giants, and without JJ Watt, stand a better chance of continuing their perfect start to the season.
Houston should not be underestimated by any means, as they concede the fewest amount of passing yards in the league and Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus deputise for Watt by maintaining an intimidating pass rush. If they pass this test, the Vikings will head into their bye week at 5-0, an incredible achievement and beyond what any Minnesota fan could have hoped for.
See the Texans @ Vikings on Sunday October 9 from 5:30pm on Sky Sports 2.
