As the NFL season enters October, it’s time to spice things up – perhaps with some pumpkin spice?

With just two undefeated teams left and a jumbled middle tier, clear distinctions are forming between the league’s top contenders and those struggling to keep up. Yet, anything can change week by week, as shown by the Denver Broncos’ recent upset of the New York Jets. This week’s matchups are bound to bring some surprises.

With that in mind, here are the bold predictions from YSL News Sports’ NFL writers and analysts for Week 5:

Stefon Diggs will achieve his first 100-yard game as a Texan

The Buffalo Bills are heading to Houston. It would make for a memorable Texas welcome if Stefon Diggs could showcase his debut with a 100-yard game in his new team’s colors, reminding his former team exactly why he’s considered one of the NFL’s elite receivers.

The Bills’ air attack hasn’t faltered since Diggs’ offseason trade for a second-round pick. Before last week’s heavy defeat in Baltimore, quarterback Josh Allen was season-high performing, effectively distributing the ball to various targets. However, Diggs was a long-standing vital asset in Buffalo, so it will be intriguing to see how this trade plays out for both parties aiming for a championship run.

Currently, Diggs stands out as a key player in this matchup of 3-1 AFC teams. Remarkably, he hasn’t surpassed 100 receiving yards since Week 6 of 2023 (with 10 receptions for 100 yards against the New York Giants). Perhaps he’s due for a breakout. After finishing with five 100-yard games in his first six outings last season, Diggs has now gone 17 games (including playoffs) without hitting that mark. This ongoing stretch includes his last 13 games with the Bills, corresponding with a transformation in the offense under coordinator Joe Brady, emphasizing a more robust run game led by James Cook. Notably, Diggs had a near-100 yard outing against his other former team, the Minnesota Vikings, with 94 yards on 10 catches in Week 3. It’s worth mentioning that Buffalo has yet to allow a 100-yard receiver this season, currently ranking sixth against the pass. Is now the time for Diggs to shine again?

— Jarrett Bell

0-4 Jaguars finally grab a win

The sole winless team in the NFL is poised to notch their first victory.

Three of the Jaguars’ losses have been by a slim margin. They played their best game of the season last week, even though they lost. Brian Thomas Jr. set a personal record with six receptions, while Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby accumulated 140 rushing yards together in Week 4.

If the Jaguars build on these strong performances, Trevor Lawrence displays consistency, and the defense limits opponents to 24 points or less – which they’ve achieved thrice already – Jacksonville should secure their first win of the season against a Colts team they managed to sweep last year.

The Jaguars have struggled in their last 10 games, losing nine. This frequency of failure is too much for such a gifted roster. Every defeat increases pressure on head coach Doug Pederson, though Lawrence also must accept his share of the critique for his inconsistency.

— Tyler Dragon

Rookie quarterbacks build momentum

By the end of Week 5, I predict that all starting rookie quarterbacks (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix) will have their teams sitting above .500 and being discussed as playoff contenders. To put it differently, I anticipate they will all achieve a collective 3-0 record for the week, following last week’s performance. Williams, the top overall draft pick for the Chicago Bears, just completed a highly efficient game and will next face the team he could have been playing for – Carolina – under different circumstances. Nix’s Denver Broncos have won two straight games, partly thanks to his improved ball protection, while they prepare to host the Las Vegas Raiders (who have their own issues). As for Offensive Rookie of the Month Jayden Daniels, even if his remarkable accuracy isn’t fully maintained from the past four games, he still has a solid chance to lead his talented team to victory against a faltering Browns squad.

— Nate Davis

Travis Kelce breaks out big time

Jason Kelce – Travis’ older brother – had an amusing mini-rant on their “New Heights” podcast recently, mirroring the sentiments shared by the Chiefs this season: statistical numbers don’t capture the complete picture of Kelce’s 2024 performance.

The Chiefs’ tight end became more involved in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 89 receiving yards on seven catches (out of nine targets). Those stats could see a significant increase against the New Orleans Saints, despite their strong defensive record. With Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco sidelined, and rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy currently just a speed option, Patrick Mahomes requires Kelce more than ever.

Kelce thrives on big moments. With “Monday Night Football” spotlighting him, don’t be shocked if he not only has his best performance of the young season but also one of the standout games of the overall year, potentially reaching a couple of touchdowns and nearing 150 receiving yards.

— Chris Bumbaca

Patrick Mahomes leads NFL in interceptions, yet Chiefs prevail

Mahomes has thrown five interceptions across his initial four games, with at least one in each matchup. While he’s faced a bit of bad luck, it’s clear that the two-time MVP is under pressure to perform. This situation may worsen with his primary target Rashee Rice out and opposing defenses.

The upcoming game against the Saints on Monday might reveal how much Patrick Mahomes is willing to adapt his playing style, especially as defenses challenge him to be more patient and limit his deep passes. Although New Orleans hasn’t been the toughest defense, they rank among the teams allowing the fewest points thanks to their impressive red-zone performance, permitting touchdowns on just 22.2% of opponent drives.

If the Chiefs find themselves in an early disadvantage or struggling to execute their game plan, they could run into problems against a defense that has already earned six interceptions this season. This situation might lead Mahomes to take unnecessary risks, potentially putting him in a tie with Will Levis – who has the week off – and Anthony Richardson for the most interceptions in the NFL.

Nevertheless, it’s tough to bet against the defending champions, especially with their strong defensive support. The Chiefs could come through once again, but it may be a nail-biter.

— Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz