NFL Week 5 Preview: Injuries, Redemption, and Sage Advice from the Mile High City

Week 5 of the NFL season is here, and if the first four weeks taught us anything, it’s that no team is safe from chaos. From quarterback injuries to coaching controversies, the league is in flux—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. On the latest episode of Those Guys, Alex Hardy and Nick Ferguson broke down the biggest stories heading into Week 5, including the Broncos’ bounce-back, the unraveling of the AFC North, and a spicy NFC West showdown.

Broncos Bounce Back Against a Broken Bengals Team

Denver got the win in Week 4, but Nick Ferguson wasn’t ready to celebrate just yet. “It was a get-right game,” he said, “but against a Bengals team without Joe Burrow, it’s hard to put too much stock in it.”

Alex Hardy agreed, noting that the Bengals’ offensive line was overwhelmed and their defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed. Jake Browning, filling in for Burrow, was ineffective, and the Bengals’ inability to run the ball or protect their quarterback made it a long night.

Ferguson pointed out that the Broncos did what they were supposed to do—beat an inferior opponent. But with Philadelphia looming in Week 5, the real test is yet to come.

Cincinnati’s Window Closing Fast

The Bengals’ struggles go beyond Burrow’s injury. Hardy highlighted the team’s top-heavy salary cap, with massive contracts for Burrow, Jamar Chase, and Tee Higgins. “Availability is your best ability,” he said. “And when those guys aren’t on the field, the rest of the roster suffers.”

Ferguson added that the backup quarterback is often the most important player on a team once the starter goes down. “You don’t know how good you are until you get to your backup,” he said.

With the AFC North looking less dominant than expected, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are fading fast.

Jets and Dolphins: A Battle of the Bottom Feeders

Monday Night Football featured a matchup between the Jets and Dolphins, and it was as ugly as expected. Miami got the win, but the loss of Tyreek Hill to a season-ending knee injury overshadowed everything.

Hardy refused to show the replay, calling it “brutal,” and noted that Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, expects him to make a full recovery by next season. In the meantime, Jalen Waddle steps into the WR1 role, and Hardy is curious to see how he responds.

As for the Jets, Ferguson’s former teammate Aaron Glenn is off to a historically bad start. “He could be the first Jets coach to start 0–5,” Hardy said. “And it’s not looking good.”

Sauce Gardner complained about officiating bias, but Ferguson urged him to take accountability. “Go back and watch the tape,” he said. “You might be grabbing at the top of the route.”

Dallas Cowboys: Offense Humming, Defense Stumbling

The Cowboys tied the Packers in a wild Sunday Night Football game, and Ferguson loved the excitement. “Normally I don’t root for high-scoring games,” he said, “but this one was fun.”

Hardy was less impressed, especially with the clock management that allowed Green Bay to force overtime. “That ball gets tipped with zeroes on the clock,” he said. “Dallas should’ve walked away with the win.”

Despite the tie, Ferguson sees promise in the Cowboys’ offense. “Dak Prescott is building chemistry with George Pickens, and Javonte Williams looks refreshed,” he said. “Once CeeDee Lamb comes back, they could be dangerous.”

Hardy, ever the skeptic, reminded everyone that defense wins championships. “Dallas isn’t sniffing the postseason,” he said.

Green Bay’s Clock Controversy

The Packers benefited from a questionable clock decision that gave them one last play to kick a game-tying field goal. Ferguson joked that the clock operator might’ve been too excited to let the final second tick off.

Hardy called it “an absolute mess,” and questioned whether Jerry Jones had fired the operator yet. “Smooth operator was not working that night,” he said.

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar’s Injury Adds to the Chaos

The Ravens are 1–3 and could be without Lamar Jackson in Week 5 due to a hamstring injury. Ferguson said the timing couldn’t be worse. “Lamar is the grease for that engine,” he said. “Without him, they’re in trouble.”

Hardy noted that the report came from the Baltimore Sun and hadn’t been confirmed by national outlets. Still, the prospect of Cooper Rush starting for Baltimore is concerning.

Ferguson acknowledged Rush’s past success with Dallas but warned that expectations should be tempered. “He’s not going to do Lamar Jackson-type things,” he said.

Houston Texans: Still Searching for Identity

The Texans are also 1–3 and dealing with internal issues. Hardy mentioned the release of CJ Gardner-Johnson, who was traded to Houston in the offseason. “He’s not getting with the program,” Hardy said. “And that can happen on a losing team.”

With both Houston and Baltimore struggling, their Week 5 matchup—once considered a marquee game—now looks like a battle to avoid 1–4.

Broncos vs. Eagles: Vic Fangio’s Revenge Game

Denver travels to Philadelphia in Week 5, and Ferguson expects fireworks. “Vic Fangio is still bitter about how things ended in Denver,” he said. “He’s got a dominant front four, and they’re going to test Bo Nix.”

Hardy noted that the Broncos’ offense wasn’t explosive against Cincinnati, with no plays over 30 yards. Fangio’s defense is designed to keep everything in front, and Denver will need to execute perfectly to move the chains.

Ferguson said the Eagles’ secondary is vulnerable, but execution has been a problem for Denver. “They’ve only scored 10 points in the fourth quarter all season,” he said. “That’s not going to cut it against Philly.”

NFC West Showdown: 49ers vs. Rams

Thursday Night Football features a battle of 3–1 teams in the NFC West. Ferguson said the Rams have the edge due to health. “The 49ers are always dealing with injuries,” he said. “If it were me, I’d walk around Levi’s Stadium with sage.”

Hardy agreed, noting that Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings are all banged up. Brock Purdy returned last week but looked less than 100%.

Ferguson praised Kyle Shanahan for keeping the team competitive despite the injuries. “He still finds a way to win,” he said.

Coaching Drama: Liam Cohen vs. Robert Saleh

The Rams-Jaguars game featured a sideline scuffle between Liam Cohen and Robert Saleh. Hardy called it a “hold me back bro” moment, while Ferguson warned Cohen to tread carefully. “Saleh doesn’t forget,” he said. “He’ll remember that at the combine.”

Final Thoughts: Sage Advice and Baseball Banter

The episode ended with a lighthearted exchange about baseball and steak. Hardy celebrated the Red Sox’s playoff push, while Ferguson defended his Yankees. “You can gloat now,” he said. “But you won’t be on Thursday.”

Ferguson also joked about needing sage to cleanse the bad luck around the 49ers—and maybe his own house.

Conclusion: Week 5 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for several teams. Whether it’s redemption in Philadelphia, survival in Baltimore, or a statement win in the NFC West, the stakes are high. And as always, Those Guys are here to break it all down—with insight, humor, and a sprinkle of sage.