Week 5 NFL underdog report: Two old-school QBs handle business on road

The Denver Broncos upset Aaron Rodgers’ Jets 10-9 in Week 4. This week, Rodgers looks to do better as two of the NFL’s oldest players hope to lead their teams to upset victories in Week 5. Odds via ESPN Bet.

New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)

Does any player enjoy the spotlight more than Aaron Rodgers? New York’s quarterback will have NFL audiences to himself on an international stage when the Jets travel to London for an early morning game against Minnesota on Sunday.

That, coupled with an embarrassing 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos, could be all the motivation Rodgers needs to overcome former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold and the undefeated Vikings. While quarterback play will certainly be a factor, Sunday’s game looks to be a low-scoring, defensive battle for both teams.

Minnesota may have the league’s fifth-leading receiver in Justin Jefferson but the Jets have two of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Sauce Gardner is already a two-time All-Pro and Pro Football Focus rates D.J. Reed as the NFL’s second-best cornerback.

The Vikings currently own the league’s second-best run defense — allowing 75 yards per game on the ground — but the Jets have an excellent one-two punch with Breece Hall and rookie running back Braelon Allen, the league’s third-best ball-carrier according to PFF.

More importantly, New York has allowed the third-fewest yards (256.5) and fifth-fewest points (15.5) per game this year. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (14.8) but the 10th-most yards (349.3) per contest.

If Rodgers and the Jets capitalize on their red-zone opportunities, they could easily turn those yards into touchdowns and hand Minnesota its first loss of the season.

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)

The Jaguars are still looking for their first win of the season but might not get it at home against the Colts this week, especially if they face the team’s 39-year-old backup quarterback.

This past Sunday, Joe Flacco played in relief of Anthony Richardson, who suffered an oblique injury 14 snaps into the Colt’s three-point victory over the Steelers. Flacco went 16-of-26 for 168 yards and two touchdowns against previously unbeaten Pittsburgh and could start Sunday’s game if Richardson can’t play.

Richardson was limited in Wednesday’s practice but with the second-lowest quarterback rating in the league (60.2), the NFL’s 26th-leading passer might be of more service holding a clipboard against Jacksonville.

The Jaguars have problems of their own. Since signing a five-year, $275M deal to remain in Jacksonville, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is completing just 53.3% of his passes, the third-worst mark in the NFL. 

Fortunately, Jacksonville running backs are averaging 5.7 yards per carry, second only Baltimore’s 6.4 yards power attempt. Unfortunately, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne were both limited with shoulder injuries in Wednesday’s practice. Both should play Sunday but neither has scored a touchdown in 2024. 

If the Colts can get an early lead and force Jacksonville to throw the ball, the Jags running game won’t matter. Both of Flacco’s touchdowns came in the first quarter of the Steelers game. If he plays on Sunday, the Colts have an excellent chance to win the game and keep pace with the Texans in the AFC South.