In Week 5 of the NFL, the action stretched over more than 15 hours due to a significant weather delay before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The biggest shocker of the day was the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers losing their third game of the season to the Arizona Cardinals. This loss marks a worrying trend as the 49ers have now dropped two games in the past three weeks against NFC West rivals after previously leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter.

In other notable moments, the Buffalo Bills faced a bewildering series of events late in the game, while the Cincinnati Bengals reached a pivotal point in their season.

Here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from Sunday in Week 5 of the NFL.

WINNERS

Cowboys Overcome Issues to Beat Steelers

The NFC East is shaping up to be a competitive division, with at least three teams vying for the title, making each game vital. The Cowboys secured a crucial 20-17 win over the Steelers, keeping them just one game behind the surprising Washington Commanders.

Dallas made significant strides by addressing many of their shortcomings. They limited Pittsburgh’s rushing attack, which was ranked 10^th in the NFL, to just 92 yards—over 30 yards less than their average. The Cowboys (3-2) also benefited from a strong performance by running back Rico Dowdle, who rushed for 87 yards on 20 carries, while they carefully controlled the clock, culminating in a 15-play, 70-yard scoring drive. Although they still need to rectify some issues and improve their defense, this win could generate positive momentum in what has been an average season so far.

Chicago Bears Showcase Potential with Stellar Performance

Rookie sensation Caleb Williams displayed his talent as the Chicago Bears delivered their best offensive showing this season, defeating the Carolina Panthers 36-10. Chicago’s offensive line, a concern all year, finally provided the protection necessary for success.

Williams completed 20 of 29 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns but must improve on his decision-making, particularly when it comes to releasing the ball. At one point in the third quarter, in the red zone, he hesitated, nearly getting sacked twice before throwing the ball away, resulting in an ineligible receiver penalty. While this incident occurred with the game in hand, similar mistakes in tighter matchups could be costly.

Broncos Secure Third Straight Win, Build Competitive Squad

Although not every play was aesthetically pleasing, the young Denver Broncos clinched their third consecutive win with a 34-18 triumph over the Las Vegas Raiders. Their defense is emerging as one of the best in the NFL.

The Broncos forced four turnovers, including a spectacular 100-yard pick-six by cornerback Patrick Surtain II. After initially trailing by 10 points, they scored 34 unanswered points to secure victory. With effective blitzing, they pressured Raiders quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell consistently. This intense defense is a major asset for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has made plays and protected the ball effectively, scoring five touchdowns without any turnovers during the winning streak.

Giants Discover Dynamic RB in Tracy

While rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. may not fully replace the impact of Saquon Barkley, who left for the Eagles, he certainly proved he deserves more playing time—maybe even as a starter—once Devin Singletary returns from injury.

In their 29-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Tracy rushed 18 times for 129 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, and served as the foundation of New York’s offense. He exhibited impressive vision and patience, evading Seattle defenders. His strong performance also opened up the passing game, especially with star rookie Malik Nabers sidelined due to a concussion. The Giants (2-3) will need more consistent offensive output to contend, and Tracy’s explosive potential could be a key factor.

LOSERS

49ers Fail to Close Out Games

In two of their last three games, the 49ers had 10-point leads entering the fourth quarter against division rivals but ended up losing both contests. In Sunday’s 24-23 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers (2-3) did not score in the second half.

San Francisco’s offensive struggles stem from a lack of focus and poor ball handling; their four second-half possessions resulted in an interception, a turnover on downs (with kicker Jake Moody sidelined due to an ankle injury), a fumble, and a game-ending interception. Adding to the frustration, the 49ers had a two-point lead late in the fourth and were in prime position to seal the game but fumbled inside the 10-yard line. The Cardinals capitalized with a lengthy drive that set up the game-winning field goal.

Bills Struggle with Poor Game Management

The Buffalo Bills had a chance to feel proud after tying the game against a strong Houston Texans team after a 17-point deficit. However, Buffalo (3-2) made a baffling decision that cost them the game, reflecting poor judgment from the coaching staff.

With just 32 seconds left in a tied game and the Bills positioned at their own 3-yard line, offensive coordinator Joe Brady opted to pass on three consecutive plays. The fallout: an offensive pass interference (declined), an incomplete pass, and another low-percentage throw that resulted in a punt from deep in their territory. The Texans capitalized, returning the punt well, leading to Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal as time expired, sealing a dramatic 23-20 win.

This kind of coaching decision is incredibly rare and can significantly impact a team’s confidence and strategy moving forward.

It can certainly undermine a team’s prospects, yet Brady and coach Sean McDermott managed to succeed.

Cincy’s season might already be unraveling

Despite quarterback Joe Burrow throwing five touchdown passes and the Bengals holding a 10-point advantage in the fourth quarter, they ultimately fell to the Baltimore Ravens 41-38 after Lamar Jackson’s surprising fumble at midfield during overtime.

After regaining possession following the fumble, Cincinnati opted to play it safe, running the ball up the middle three consecutive times. This led to a 53-yard field goal attempt that was unsuccessful due to a poor snap and a botched hold. The Bengals (1-4) lack a dependable rushing game, especially after Zack Moss hurt his right ankle. Their rushing defense is also struggling. Currently, Cincinnati is in last place in the AFC, with their season hanging by a thread due to tiebreakers.

Nick Chubb isn’t the solution for Cleveland’s broken offense

The main problems stem from Deshaun Watson, who has one of the worst contracts in NFL history. The Browns find themselves in a tough spot with Watson, who is virtually untradeable. His contract is fully guaranteed and has two and a half years left before it can be voided. The dead cap situation is so severe that the team is better off letting him sit on the bench rather than releasing him — an unusual instance of the sunk cost fallacy in the NFL.

Following the 34-13 defeat to the Commanders, coach Kevin Stefanski announced, “we’re not changing quarterbacks,” but Watson struggles to manage the offense. His difficulty with pushing the ball downfield is only worsened by his failure to feel pressure from defenders. The Browns (1-4) converted only 1 out of 13 third-down attempts, finishing the game 1-for-13 (8%). They even started the game 0-for-12 on third downs, which meant, extending back to last week’s loss against the Raiders, they went through 19 consecutive third downs without a conversion.