NFL Week 5: Trends which will decide each game
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at New York Jets (0-4), 1:00 pm
Cardinals: Opponents have had few problems scoring during the brief Kliff Kingsbury Era in the desert. The Cardinals have played 20 games under the head coach and teams have scored at least 20 points in all but one of those contests. Arizona’s defensive unit has allowed three offensive TDs in each of their four outings this year.
Jets: With Sam Darnold nursing a shoulder injury, Adam Gase’s club will turn to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). The 13-year veteran will be starting for a third different team in as many seasons. A year ago in eight games with the Broncos, Flacco threw six TD passes, committed eight turnovers and was sacked 26 times.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0), 1:00 pm
Eagles: Philadelphia’s pass rush has been a bright spot for head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The club has totaled 17 sacks in four games, 13 of those quarterback traps coming in the last two weeks vs. the Bengals (8) and 49ers (5). Meanwhile, the Steelers have allowed only five sacks in three contests.
Steelers: Mike Tomlin’s team returns to action after an unexpected week off. When last we saw the Steelers, they were shutting out the Texans in the second half and limiting Houston to 51 total yards after intermission. Now the defense, with 15 sacks in just three outings, takes aim at Carson Wentz – sacked 14 times in four games this year.