| Dates: 7 September 2023 – 7 January 2024 |
| BBC protection: Hearken to reside commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Further and the BBC Sport web site each Sunday. |
The San Francisco 49ers loved an emphatic 42-10 victory over outdated enemies the Dallas Cowboys to hitch the Philadelphia Eagles as the one 5-0 sides within the NFL.
The Niners loved their largest win of their storied rivalry with Dallas, whereas the Eagles powered to a troublesome win on the Los Angeles Rams.
Miami’s high-flying assault broke one other file and the New England Patriots suffered one other embarrassing loss.
Niners dominate rivals Dallas
The pair of five-time Tremendous Bowl winners have had an epic rivalry down the years preventing in play-off video games, two of which San Francisco have received within the final two years, however this one was one-way visitors from the beginning.
Quarterback Brock Purdy moved to 10-0 as a starter with 4 landing passes in one other medical displaying and Christian McCaffrey scored for the 14th sport working to proceed what’s now the fourth-longest streak in NFL historical past.
And whereas the Niners unloaded on what was the league’s hardest defence coming in, Dak Prescott was bemused and befuddled by San Francisco’s unit as he threw three interceptions and was sacked thrice.
So whereas it’s again to the drafting board for the Cowboys, the 49ers despatched an enormous warning to the remainder of the NFL.
Eagles go 5-0 and Mahomes completes the set
The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t been as flashy because the 49ers however they’re additionally 5-0, for the second yr working, after one other stable defensive effort and a strong run sport of their 23-14 win on the Los Angeles Rams.
The Eagles dictated the sport because of their omnipotent offensive line, which was unstoppable once more after they carried out what has turn out to be generally known as the ‘brotherly shove’ or ‘tush push’ – just like a rolling maul in rugby union – when your complete workforce helped to push Jalen Hurts into the top zone from shut vary.
Philly look decided to get again to the Tremendous Bowl after final season’s loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs – who’re taking management of the AFC once more after edging the Minnesota Vikings 27-20 to enhance to 4-1.
The win gave Patrick Mahomes the complete set as he has now overwhelmed all 31 different groups within the NFL, and is the primary quarterback to do it underneath the age of 30.
With only a one-point defeat in opposition to them and loads of room for enchancment, the defending Tremendous Bowl champions look a scary prospect – with the one fear being an ankle damage Travis Kelce picked up simply earlier than scoring what turned out to be the successful landing.
Document excessive for Dolphins, file low for Pats
Additionally at 4-1 and up to now the principle challengers to the Chiefs are the Miami Dolphins, who proceed to set data offensively – this time recording extra whole yards of their first 5 video games than the well-known 2000 St Louis Rams workforce that was nicknamed ‘the best present on turf’ for his or her attacking prowess.
Miami’s 31-16 win over the New York Giants noticed outstanding rookie De’Von Achane turn out to be simply the second participant to attain seven touchdowns in his first 4 video games – whereas Tyreek Hill had one other monstrous sport with 181 receiving yards and a landing.
The polar reverse of Miami’s explosive offence is the New England Patriots unit that drew a clean in an embarrassing 34-0 dwelling shutout in opposition to the New Orleans Saints in one among Invoice Belichick’s worst days of his lengthy profession.
Within the second-worst dwelling shutout loss in Patriots historical past, QB Mac Jones was once more benched within the second half after one other error-strewn efficiency. The Pats haven’t scored over 20 factors all season as they drop to 1-4 for the primary time since 2000 – Belichick’s first season in cost.
Jets win grudge match in Denver
The New York Jets received their grudge match in Denver 31-21 as their offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett made a successful return after his poor spell as Broncos head coach final yr.
New Denver boss Sean Payton sparked controversy when he mentioned Hackett’s reign “may need been one of many worst teaching jobs within the historical past of the NFL” throughout the summer season – and Jets gamers had this sport circled on the calendar ever since.
“It was good, to be trustworthy. Principally for coach Hackett,” mentioned Breece Corridor, who scored a blistering 72-yard TD run.
“He stayed quiet, he stayed humble, respectful. So we wished to return in and get a win at the moment for him and we did that. Higher coach, higher workforce, received.”
Injured QB Aaron Rodgers posted his help for Hackett on social media, whereas his stand-in Zach Wilson added: “Clearly, how issues went for him this previous yr was powerful. So you understand it means quite a bit.”
Steelers stun sloppy Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens will likely be an offended workforce heading over to London subsequent week after throwing away their sport with fierce rivals Pittsburgh – together with a late Lamar Jackson interception in a 17-10 loss on the Steelers.
A blocked punt for a security and several other different miscues price Baltimore dearly as they drop to 3-2, the identical file as Pittsburgh, regardless of being on high for the big majority of the sport.
At Tottenham subsequent Sunday, Baltimore will play the Tennessee Titans, who may even make the journey on the again of a defeat after they misplaced 23-16 on the Indianapolis Colts.
The Detroit Lions are nonetheless proper up there at 4-1 after they produced one other wonderful offensive show of their 42-24 success over the Carolina Panthers, which places them clear on the high of the NFC North.
Ja’Marr Chase had not scored a TD all season till Sunday, when he managed to seize three of them as Joe Burrow lastly began to search out his vary within the Cincinnati Bengals’ 34-20 win on the Arizona Cardinals.
Houston’s rookie QB CJ Stroud set a file as he nonetheless has not thrown an interception in his brief NFL profession, however it was Atlanta’s second-year man Desmond Ridder who had the ultimate say by engineering a last-gasp 21-19 victory for the Falcons.