Josh Allen’s 121-yard rushing night and Drake Maye’s four-touchdown performance headlined a Week 5 quarterback landscape shaped by scrambling, deep-ball aggression and several costly turnover swings. Allen’s ability to turn broken-down passing plays into explosive gains gave Buffalo a decisive dimension against the Rams, while Maye rediscovered the aggressive form that made him an MVP finalist last season.
Allen, Purdy and Goff set the top standard
Allen put his full dual-threat skill set on display in Buffalo’s win over Los Angeles. Rather than forcing throws, he repeatedly hurt the Rams with designed runs and scrambles, finishing with 121 rushing yards. He recorded 107 of those yards on scrambles, the highest total by any NFL player this season and the third-largest single-game figure of the Next Gen Stats era.
Since 2016, Allen has produced two games with at least 100 scramble yards. Every other NFL player combined has done it only twice in that span.
- Brock Purdy faced steady discomfort from Seattle’s defense but remained near the top of the quarterback field. His touchdown throw to Brandin Cooks, followed by a successful two-point conversion, reflected his ability to keep a play alive and attack late.
- Jared Goff continued his efficient start by carving up Arizona. He now owns a 12-touchdown, zero-interception ratio.
- Maye completed 26 of 34 passes for 374 yards and four scores against Las Vegas. On attempts traveling more than 10 yards in the air, he went 8-for-11 for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
- Maye’s 45.7 percent downfield attempt rate was the fourth-highest mark of his career. He also averaged at least 10 air yards per attempt for the ninth time in his career and the second time this season, earning his first win of the year.
Maye also used his legs and pushed the ball vertically in a manner that had been missing early in the season. A.J. Brown’s expected return could give that offense another boost.
Veterans rebound while Love and Stroud deliver
Matthew Stafford responded after an uneven opening month by settling into a second-half shootout and leaning heavily on Puka Nacua. His late touchdown drive tied the game and showed he can still deliver in key situations, even if the offense has not yet hit its ceiling.
Jordan Love delivered one of the weekend’s sharpest performances against Chicago, repeatedly taking deep shots and connecting on big plays. Green Bay will look for that outing to become the spark that helps it chase the division-leading Vikings.
- C.J. Stroud again played well and finally came away with a victory. The offense still needs more consistency, and the arrival of Marvin Harrison Jr. could provide needed help.
- Dak Prescott endured a rough day, though some of his interceptions came on unfavorable breaks. Dallas again saw how much it misses CeeDee Lamb.
- Kirk Cousins struggled against New England’s aggressive defense, with his age-related mobility limitations apparent. Still, there is no immediate case for replacing him with Fernando Mendoza, and Cousins and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak have time to correct course.
- Michael Penix Jr. built on his strong recent play in his third start. Atlanta could have put the game away when eligible tackle Jake Matthews dropped an accurate touchdown pass. Penix’s rib issue bears watching, but the injury does not appear to be severe.
- Jameis Winston produced an impressive half against Washington, avoiding major errors while connecting on difficult throws to Isaiah Likely and Malik Nabers.
- Aaron Rodgers continued his recent trend of stronger showings in odd-numbered weeks. Pittsburgh’s offense would benefit from continuing to build around running back Jaylen Warren.
- Sam Darnold made enough mistakes after returning from injury to undermine his good moments in a narrow loss to San Francisco.
- Geno Smith steadied himself in heavy rain by repeatedly targeting Garrett Wilson.
Jayden Daniels brought energy back to Washington’s offense in his return, particularly as a runner, but a late-game management error spoiled an otherwise encouraging day. The Giants blitzed him on 62.2 percent of his dropbacks, their highest rate of the season after blitzing on only 27.6 percent through the first three weeks.
Daniels took four sacks but completed 11 of 18 passes for 131 yards against the pressure. He also broke free for a 38-yard scrambling touchdown.
Murray, Huntley and Brissett navigate uneven offenses
Kyler Murray showed signs of progress, particularly when New Orleans kept him in the pocket. Instead of running into trouble, Murray stayed active in the pocket, continued scanning the field and found Jeshaun Jones for a 32-yard gain.
Murray completed 22 of 25 pocket passes for 212 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings’ victory over the Saints. His 8.5 yards per attempt and 51.9 percent pocket success rate were season bests, and both measures have improved in consecutive games. He added 54 yards and three first downs on seven scrambles, the most scramble yards by a Vikings quarterback in a game since Next Gen Stats tracking began in 2016.
- Tyler Huntley calmly guided Baltimore while filling in for Lamar Jackson and delivered fourth-quarter plays that sealed the result.
- Jacoby Brissett continues to operate in an offense that too often reaches third-and-long and relies on low-percentage throws. Arizona can at least move past the questions surrounding Harrison’s arrival.
- Tyler Shough struggled against Minnesota’s elite defense, adding another difficult outing to a recent downturn.
- Daniel Jones protected the football but remains limited by a thin receiving group. Drops from tight end Tyler Warren have added to the problems.
- Jalon Daniels, the rookie quarterback, helped Tampa Bay stay balanced with his mobility and adequate passing, opening room for Bucky Irving’s productive rushing performance.
- Jalen Hurts threw a significant touchdown to Darius Cooper and put Philadelphia in position to win before the game slipped away. He has been operating behind a patchwork offensive line without the Eagles’ leading running back or receiver.
Pressure and turnovers sink the lower tier
Deshaun Watson’s game at rainy MetLife Stadium followed a familiar pattern: limited production, one 29-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Boston, dropped catchable passes by Isaiah Bond and relentless pressure from the Jets. Watson faced pressure on 26 of 44 dropbacks, a 59.1 percent rate. That was his second-highest pressure rate in a game since 2018 and the highest produced by the Jets since Aaron Glenn became head coach in 2025.
Bo Nix has been unable to consistently unlock Denver’s offense. The Broncos have not moved the pocket, emphasized rollouts or established the ground game often enough, leaving Nix to settle for checkdowns instead of attacking downfield. At times, his own decisions have contributed, but the larger issue remains an offense without a clear identity.
- Cam Ward completed 23 of 36 passes for 170 yards and an interception against Houston. Pressure reached him on 21 dropbacks, the second-highest total of his career. Under pressure, he went 9-for-16 for 70 yards, threw an interception and took four sacks.
- Tennessee’s struggles were illustrated late in its lopsided loss when Ward escaped pressure and threw to Tyjae Spears, who had fallen after chipping a rusher. Spears caught the pass while on the turf and was immediately tackled for a six-yard loss.
- Justin Herbert continued to struggle behind a porous Chargers offensive line. Multiple fumbles under pressure hurt Los Angeles, and a late interception compounded the damage.
- Malik Willis generated some positive moments in a limited offense but hurt himself with two poor interceptions while trying to create too much.
- Tyler Bagent turned the ball over twice in Green Bay and was replaced by Case Keenum, who also committed two turnovers.
Week 5 reinforced the value of quarterbacks who can create outside structure without sacrificing the football. Allen and Maye turned that ability into wins, while several others found that pressure, conservative passing and turnovers remain difficult obstacles to overcome.
