The NFL is firmly into October and standings are still tightening up across the league. The 2023 regular season has a full 13 weeks remaining, but we’re seeing some interesting results that could make for a wild December and January across the league.
The first two games of Week 5 resulted in sizable upsets on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bears beat the Commanders with relative ease on Thursday Night Football to secure their first win. On Sunday morning, the Jaguars upset the Bills in London to secure the head-to-head tiebreaker if these two are competing for playoff position later this winter. The Jaguars also remain tied for first in the AFC South, joined by the Colts, who beat the Titans to get a key home divisional win.
The AFC North tightened up as the Steelers prevented the Ravens from securing a sweep of their three divisional road games. Kenny Pickett found George Pickens deep for the go-ahead score and then the Steelers strip-sacked Lamar Jackson to secure the win.
Below are the eight divisional standings, along with some quick thoughts about each division after five weeks of football. We’ll update with remaining records as the league moves toward Week 6.
AFC East
The Bills slept-walked through a London loss to the Jaguars. The Patriots were crushed by the Saints and Mac Jones was benched. The Dolphins crushed the Giants to re-take sole possession of first place in the division. The Jets beat the Broncos 31-21.
AFC North
The Steelers came back to secure a wild 14-10 home win over the Ravens. The Bengals went on the road and beat the Cardinals 34-20.
AFC South
The Jaguars got a huge win over the Bills to gain a potential key tiebreaker. The Colts won a divisional home game over the Titans. The Texans lost to the Falcons on a last second field goal.
AFC West
The Chiefs faced a stiff test in Minnesota, but pulled away in the second half to win 27-20. The Broncos had their chances against the Jets, but they fell apart and were a mess in a 31-21 loss.
NFC East
The Commanders lost to the Bears on Thursday Night Football. The Giants lost another ugly one, this time to the Dolphins. The Eagles faced a tough test from the Rams but pulled away for a 23-14 win. The Cowboys lost an ugly one to the 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
NFC North
The Bears secured their first win with a road upset of the Commanders on Thursday. Detroit crushed Carolina to maintain their division lead. The Vikings lost a tight 27-20 home game to the Chiefs.
NFC South
The Saints crushed the Patriots on the road. The Panthers gave the Lions a little trouble early, but Detroit pulled away and won with ease. The Falcons snapped a two-game losing streak with a last second field goal to beat the Texans.
NFC West
The Cardinals hung close early but lost big late in a 34-20 loss to the Bengals. The Rams lost a tough one to the Eagles. The 49ers crushed the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.