NFL Week 5 Recap: 10 Observations From Sunday's Action

NFL's week five action brought plenty of excitement to fans everywhere.

We witnessed quite a few upsets within divisions, and key matchups being fulfilled. We also saw quite a few disappointments from teams that had high expectations.

While teams continue to prove whether they are elite in 2010, many teams also improved their playoff chances with big wins today.

Here are ten thoughts I have from Sunday's action.

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Trouble Brewing in Cincinnati after Bengals Lose to Buccaneers

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CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets set to throw from the pocket against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Coming into the season, I didn't think the Bengals would repeat their performance of last season.

However, I did not believe the Bengals would be off to this rough of a start, and, more importantly, against the weaker teams on their schedule.

They lost to Cleveland a week ago, and then lost a lead to a young Buccaneers team.

Carson Palmer is playing like two seasons ago, and does not have much strength in his arm.

The defense is not the top unit they were last year, which led to the loss this week.

It may finally be time to pull the plug on head coach Marvin Lewis.

Are the New York Giants a Force To Be Reckoned With?

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws the ball against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Two weeks in a row the New York Giants have played inspired football, beating two playoff-caliber teams in the process.

This time, it was on the road against a Texans team that seemed to be a dark-horse Super Bowl contender.

Point blank: The Giants outplayed the Texans in every aspect of the game, and are sitting tied on top of a crowded NFC East division.

Are they putting together another magical run like a few years ago? Time will tell, but it's safe to say that Tom Coughlin's job is secure for now.

The Detroit Lions Are Not As Bad As Their Record Showed Us

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions runs toward the end zone against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

As I said in the title, the Lions are better than their record. They lost to Chicago on a controversial play, and almost pulled out wins against division rivals Green Bay and Minnesota.

The Lions finally faced a team they were more talented than, and they jumped on the St. Louis Rams early.

The final was 44-6, which included a 105-yard return on special teams, and simple dominance on the other two sides of the ball.

Detroit is continuing to make strides, and could be spoilers down the stretch.

The Green Bay Packers Aren't the Team the Experts Thought They Were

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 10, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins won the game in overtime 16-13. (Photo by Win McNamee/

Wow, the Green Bay Packers are clearly not the team that most people had representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The high-powered offense is not firing on all cylinders, and tight end Jermichael Finley is going to have an MRI today on his knee.

Add the concussion Aaron Rodgers sustained, and there is obviously reason for concern. The defensive side of the ball still has question marks, and continues to let quarterbacks have a great deal of success against them.

What Is Going On with the New Orleans Saints?

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints prepares to snap the ball during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeat

The defending champs look like a completely different team this season, and Sunday was no different. Quarterback Drew Brees had two touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss.

New Orleans' defense continues to be a questionable unit, especially with its injuries to the secondary.

Right now there is no true leader of the NFC, as the Saints' loss keeps that conference wide open.

Oakland Raiders Save Season with Win, San Diego Continues Early Struggles

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers tries to help with a tackle after the Chargers fumbled the ball against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ez

A crucial game in the AFC West came down to the wire, but the Oakland Raiders prevailed in the end. A solid offense, along with a defense that created turnovers, kept the silver and black still in the AFC West race.

The San Diego Chargers continued their early season struggles after blowing a comfortable lead against Oakland. Despite career days from Philip Rivers and Malcom Floyd, the Chargers dropped another game within the division.

It seems clear that the AFC West is going to be close the entire season, with all four teams battling it out for the division crown.

The AFC South Has a Four-Way Tie for First

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes the football against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

The AFC South is making its case for being the best division in football.

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts dethroned the undefeated Chiefs, and are going to be a threat the entire season.

The Tennessee Titans had a big win, led by the offensive firepower of Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt.

David Garrard continues to lead the surprising Jaguars after winning at Buffalo.

The Texans had a disappointing loss to the Giants, but have the talent to contend within the division this season.

The Baltimore Ravens' Balanced Offense Comes Alive in Win

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Ravens defeated the

The balanced offense of the Baltimore Ravens came alive in Baltimore's rout of the Denver Broncos.

Joe Flacco got off to a hot start, completing eight of nine passes and driving the Ravens down the field.

However, Cam Cameron then decided to finally get the running game going. Ray Rice had 133 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, and Leron McClain and Willis McGahee also contributed.

With a favorable schedule coming up for the Ravens after they take on the Patriots this upcoming Sunday, it seems this team is finally beginning to hit on all cylinders.

The Dallas Cowboys Have Plenty of Questions That Need To Be Answered

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Tony Romo #10 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up for the game with the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys now sit at 1-3, with plenty of questions needing to be answered. Why is the running game not being used as often as it should? Felix Jones had over 100 yards rushing, yet Tony Romo threw the ball over 50 times.

The defense is not looking good right now, and as we saw yesterday, the Titans had their way with the Cowboys on nearly every play they drew up.

More importantly, they are an undisciplined unit with a lack of leadership. They are still in the NFC East hunt, but they need a big winning streak if they want to salvage their season.

The San Francisco 49ers May Need a Change in Direction

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 10: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 10, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The paper champs of the 2010 NFC West are off to a league worst 0-5 start, and a change in direction may be needed.

I am disappointed in Alex Smith, who I thought would play better in a contract year. The defense of the 49ers is more surprising, as they are giving up too many yards through the passing game.

Their only hope of turning it around (similar to the Titans of last year) is that they are in the league's worst division, the NFC West.

However, with top head coaches available come this off season, this could be the last year we see Mike Singletary running the 49ers.