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NFL schedule Week 5: Who plays on Thursday night?

By Brad Weiss

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Week 5 of the 2016 NFL regular season, the Arizona Cardinals will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers.

The NFL season is nearly a quarter of the way done for almost every team, as the schedule turns to Week 5 on Thursday night. The Thursday Night Football matchup will feature two NFC West rivals who are struggling, boasting a 1-3 record, though the record is surprising for only one of them. A popular Super Bowl pick heading into the season, the Arizona Cardinals have looked really bad, and may be without a huge weapon on Thursday.

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer suffered a concussion during the team’s Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. If Palmer cannot go, Drew Stanton will start in his place. Though initially written off for Thursday’s game, Palmer has been making strides this week, and head coach Bruce Arians would not rule him out just yet.

The Cardinals are 0-1 on the road this season, though they will be facing a San Francisco 49ers team who has not won since Week 1. After trouncing the Los Angeles Rams in their season opener, the 49ers have looked bad since, and may be looking to make some changes on their offense. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been awful this season, so it may be time for head coach Chip Kelly to hand the reigns over to Colin Kaepernick.

The NFC West is still anybody’s division, though the Seattle Seahawks are looking like a strong contender to win it. The Rams are a surprising 3-1 this season, and have already beaten the Seahawks this year. The Cardinals are much better than their record shows, and if Palmer can play this week, they should be able to take care of the 49ers on the road.

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Kickoff is scheduled for 8:25 p.m. ET on Thursday from Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, California. The game will be television on the NFL Network, as well as online on Twitter. The Cardinals are a five-point favorite on the road, and the odds are, they will pick up their first road victory of the year against the 49ers.

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