NFL Football 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 12, 2026, 7:10 AM ET
Quarterbacks & Coaching Decisions
Robert Saleh said he will stick with Cam Ward espn.com as Tennessee's starter, giving him "every opportunity" despite an 0-5 start. Nick Sirianni, meanwhile, took full responsibility after a late-game call in Philadelphia's loss to Jacksonville, saying he lost espn.com the game. Jim Harbaugh echoed that accountability, calling his fourth-down decision "100% on me" after the Chargers fell 23-17 to Denver.
Standout Performances
Kyler Murray scrambled seven times espn.com to lead Minnesota past New Orleans, a performance teammates described as turning back the clock. In Baltimore, backup Tyler Huntley delivered in overtime, with the Ravens edging out espn.com a 30-23 win while Lamar Jackson remained sidelined. Mike Evans added seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown as San Francisco beat Seattle espn.com 32-29, and David Bailey posted a breakout game to power the Jets.
Fantasy & Records
Drake Maye, Jaylen Warren and Jahmyr Gibbs dominated espn.com Week 5 fantasy action, while Jonathan Taylor and Brown struggled. Gibbs also made history, passing Barry Sanders espn.com for the most NFL touchdowns by a Lions running back before turning, reaching 58 career scores.
Injuries & Health Updates
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left the overtime loss espn.com to Tampa Bay with a rib injury, but he does not expect a long-term absence. Chicago's Caleb Williams is close to returning espn.com after missing a third straight game, according to coach Ben Johnson. San Francisco also lost Deebo Samuel to a hamstring injury, adding to espn.com the wide receiver woes in the 49ers' locker room.
Trades & Rookie Debuts
Houston acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. espn.com from Arizona, reuniting him with quarterback C.J. Stroud after the Texans' 1-4 start. The Raiders' No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, made his regular-season debut espn.com in a loss to New England, and head coach Pete Carroll praised his effort.
Late Drama & Ejections
Washington's Jayden Daniels owned the mistake espn.com after a botched final play in overtime produced a 27-27 tie with the Giants. In San Francisco, Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter espn.com after a helmet-to-helmet confrontation with Seattle's Jones. Philadelphia and Jacksonville also saw players ejected espn.com for fighting on the opening kickoff in London.
Game-Winning Plays
Jacksonville's Cam Little nailed a walk-off extra point espn.com after nose tackle DaVon Hamilton delivered the crucial snap. Trent Lawrence summed up the mindset afterward, saying "they can't ice you," in a roundup of the week's best quotes espn.com from around the league. Green Bay also roasted Chicago's Luther Burden espn.com after a 31-7 win, with Zaire Franklin criticizing him for quitting on a play.
Houston's Terrible Towel-related win over Tennessee may have broken espn.com a long-running curse, a storyline that will follow the Texans as they push for a playoff push. Week 5 closed with several teams facing questions about quarterback stability and late-game execution, setting up a pivotal stretch for contenders and struggling squads alike.