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  October 8, 2025 Week 5 of the NFL season delivered dramatic swings in fortune, with unexpected heroes emerging and established teams suffering devastating setbacks. With only 17 games per season, each week's performances dramatically alter perceptions of teams and players. Here are the biggest winners and losers from Week 5's action. Winners Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers The preseason narrative positioned Chuba Hubbard as a fantasy sleeper with minimal backfield competition. That narrative is dead after Rico Dowdle's explosive 206-yard, one-touchdown performance on 23 carries in Carolina's 27-24 victory over Miami. The Dolphins entered allowing the fourth-most yards per carry in the league, and the Panthers exploited that weakness mercilessly. Dowdle's performance ranks among the most unlikely 200-yard rushing games in recent memory. Context matters here - Carolina was essentially playing for their season. Coming off a brutal 42-13 loss to New England, ano...

  October 7, 2025 Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season delivers an exciting slate that includes the season's first international game, the return of injured quarterbacks, and several matchups with potential to alter the season's trajectory. While some teams enter their first bye week, others will seek escape from crisis or confirmation of strong starts. Here's what awaits in the weekend's action. International Showcase: NFL Returns to London Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 9:30 AM ET) The NFL's London debut for 2025 features rookie Dillon Gabriel making his starting quarterback debut for the Browns. This early-morning kickoff for American viewers brings international flair to Week 5, with the Vikings looking to maintain momentum while Cleveland tests whether their first-round draft pick is ready for prime time. Gabriel enters a challenging situation - starting on foreign soil against a Vikings defense that has been stout early in the season. His abi...

  October 1, 2025 The arrival of bye weeks in Week 5 marks a critical juncture for fantasy football managers. With the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers all taking the week off, waiver wire decisions become more crucial than ever. While long-term value remains important, finding the right one-week stopgaps can make or break your matchup. Here are the top waiver wire pickups to target ahead of Week 5. Running Backs Woody Marks, Houston Texans Woody Marks emerged as Week 4's breakout star, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding four catches for 50 yards against the Tennessee Titans. This explosive performance came after the Texans averaged just 17.0 rush attempts per game by running backs through their 0-3 start. The game script played a significant role in Marks' opportunity. Houston's early lead allowed them to lean heavily on the ground game, giving the rookie fourth-round pick more carries and targets...