NFL TV Schedule Week 5: Where and When to Watch Every Matchup

Thursday night’s Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills matchup will be the first of many exciting matchups on the NFL’s Week 5 TV schedule.

While that might not be the game you’re looking forward to most, it should serve as an excellent jumping point for a weekend full of highly contested action. The prime time games may leave something to be desired, but there’s no doubt about the caliber of matchups on the slate in Week 5.

A couple of teams won’t be in action at all, as the second week of byes is upon us. Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Washington will all get much-needed rest as they lick their wounds and prepare to turn their seasons around in Week 6.

Here’s a look at this week’s schedule, complete with viewing details and a preview of some of the best matchups on the slate.

New England Patriots (4-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

The New England Patriots aren’t supposed to be 4-0 if you’ve heard any of the experts diagnosing their “un-Patriots-like” offense. Tom Brady is Tom Brady, though, and he has made it work despite not having a receiver to throw to that was well known before the NFL draft.

Meanwhile, with all the talent in the world, Andy Dalton continues to struggle as the Cincinnati Bengals lost another disappointing game to the Cleveland Browns last week. Dalton’s struggles throwing the ball down the field are increasingly limiting the Bengals’ ability to take advantage of their vast array of weapons.

The Pats defense isn’t too shoddy, either, so it’s not going to get any easier for the Bengals in Week 5. A.J. Green will likely be matched up with another solid cornerback in Aqib Talib after being stifled by Joe Haden last week. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks have just a 24.8 QBR when throwing in Talib’s direction—second best among corners in the NFL:

Uh oh.

Seattle Seahawks (4-0) at Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

The Seattle Seahawks have had two close calls on the road. Without some dramatics from Richard Sherman, they could very well be 3-1 heading into another very hard road test in Week 5. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts have rebounded after a narrow loss to Miami in Week 2. Can they get a signature win on their home field against arguably the top team in the NFC?

All six of Seattle’s losses came on the road in 2012, including their playoff defeat to Atlanta. But after showing resilience and winning two close games against Houston and Carolina—two solid teams—they could have added confidence heading into this big game.

The biggest matchup to watch will be Trent Richardson against the ‘Hawks D. Last week, Arian Foster and Ben Tate ran for 151 yards to control the game. Richardson has yet to get off to a hot start in Indy, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry.

Houston Texans (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Speaking of the Houston Texans, they found another way to give a game away last week against the Seahawks. Despite controlling the game for much of the game, Seattle stormed back to score 14 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Matt Schaub’s third pick-six in three weeks tied the game up, and the Seahawks won in overtime. Sometimes taking the sack is the only play; Schaub needs to learn that.

If they can’t hold on to win games in which they've clearly outplayed their opponents, than they don’t have a great chance of beating a San Francisco 49ers team that grinds opponents for four quarters. After being embarrassed two weeks in a row, the Niners stormed back by getting back to their ground game while dominating the St. Louis Rams in Week 4.

The Texans are an above-average football team with plenty of offensive weapons, but they are somehow finding ways to give games away. San Francisco is a team that will carry out its game plan and allow teams to shoot themselves in the foot. Look for an exciting game that will feature hard-nose football at its finest.