Week 5 in the NFL is headlined by the league’s only undefeated team, two 3-1 teams, and a 2016 playoff rematch.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Houston Texans (2-2)
Despite losing Dontari Poe and Jeremy Maclin in the offseason, as well as early injuries to Spencer Ware and Eric Berry, Kansas City is still the only undefeated team in the league.
The Chiefs won a tightly contested game against the Washington Redskins on Monday, which ended with a last-second field goal from rookie Harrison Butker.
Quarterback Alex Smith is in a contract season and has been playing like it. Through four games, Smith has the league’s highest completion rate at 76 percent and has an 8-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
After a rough 29-7 opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans have gone 2-1.
Their success is in part thanks to the performance of rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson has started the last three games. In Sunday’s 57-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, he threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, and posted the week’s best QBR at 98.1.
The primetime Sunday Night Football matchup will air on NBC at 7:30 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Detroit Lions (3-1)
Carolina is coming off a down-to-the-wire 33-30 victory over the defending champ New England Patriots, while Detroit narrowly conquered division foe Minnesota by a score of 14-7.
Quarterback Cam Newton’s early season struggles were highlighted in a 13-34 loss to New Orleans when he threw three interceptions and no touchdowns. Newton bounced back against the Patriots, going off for 316 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers will look to veteran pass rusher Julius Peppers, who has racked up 4.5 sacks on the season.
The Detroit Lions are off to a hot start in 2017. Their lone loss came at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons, and it was a controversial finish as receiver Golden Tate fell just short of a game-winning touchdown.
The offense is averaging just under 25 points per game, but it is the defense that stands out. The Lions have forced 11 turnovers, and have turned them into 47 points.
The two teams will square off at 12 p.m. Sunday on FOX.
Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
To the surprise of no one, Green Bay is over .500 this season. A perennial powerhouse in the NFL, they remain one of the league’s toughest teams.
In their last game, the Packers humiliated NFC North rival Chicago on Thursday Night Football 35-14. Leading wide receiver Davante Adams took a scary hit to the head, but he seems to be okay. Running back Ty Montgomery suffered a rib injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is stealing the show yet again. In week two against the Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers became the 10th NFL quarterback to throw 300 touchdowns – and he did so in fewer games and attempts than anyone else. He has already passed for 1,146 yards and 10 TDs.
Considering last season Dallas went 13-3 for the first time since 2007, Cowboys fans likely are disappointed in the team’s 2-2 start.
Star running back Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t made the most of his suspension being put off. Through four games, he’s amassed only 277 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers defense ranks 19th in the NFL, allowing 111 rush yards per game, so Elliott will have the chance for a break out game.
It is worth noting that Green Bay defeated Dallas 34-31 in last year’s divisional round of the playoffs.
The rematch will kick off at 3:25 p.m. Sunday on FOX inside AT&T Stadium.
