Week 5 NFL grades: Patriots, Packers earn top marks as several teams stumble

CBS Sports issued grades for all Week 5 NFL matchups, highlighting strong showings by the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, which each received an A+. The Patriots posted a 45-17 win over the Raiders, with quarterback Drake Maye throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense recorded three sacks on Kirk Cousins. The Packers defeated the Bears 31-7, featuring over 120 receiving yards each from Christian Watson and Matthew Golden and a defense that forced three interceptions.

The analysis was critical of the NFC East, noting that none of its four teams won in Week 5. The Cowboys fell 24-16 to the Buccaneers, the Eagles lost 19-17 to the Jaguars in London, and the Commanders tied the Giants 27-27 after a clock-management error. The Giants’ kicker missed three field goals, including a 46-yard attempt in overtime.

Other notable performances included the San Francisco 49ers’ 32-29 victory over Seattle, driven by Mike Evans’ 113 receiving yards and a defense that forced multiple turnovers. Denver’s Broncos edged Los Angeles 23-17 thanks to five sacks and three forced turnovers. Detroit’s Lions posted a 45-21 win over Arizona, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs gaining 207 total yards.

Defensive struggles were highlighted for several teams. The Chargers were described as “broken” after a 23-17 loss to Denver, and the Titans were called the league’s worst team following a 26-3 defeat by Houston, which posted its strongest defensive effort of the season.

Overall, the grades reflected a mix of dominant performances, coaching missteps, and ongoing challenges across the league.