The 2023 season is on the run. A few exciting matchups have already taken place, while some are on the cards. Some have entered the history books following their heroics, and some are already looking for reasons to fight back. In this article, we bring you the most important names and numbers that you need to keep in mind during the rest of the season.

Spoiler alert: there are a few surprises and some inductions that might seem straight-up impossible. But keep in mind, there are stats to back them up. So here is our bulletin of the NFL’s table toppers after the fifth match week. But keep close attention to the list, as we have a special addition at the very end.

Toppers after Week Five

Minnesota Vikings:

Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings has been on a roll in the season. The quarterback is the touchdown pass leader with 13 to his name after just 5 games. He is also the league’s third-best passer with 1498 yards. Despite the team’s disappointing 1-4 outing this season, Cousins has played his part fairly well. In the Vikings’ next match against the struggling Bears, the quarterback’s red-hot form could play a pivotal role.

Miami Dolphins:

The Dolphins are off to a blistering start in the season, with some of their best performances in recent years. Earlier they drubbed the Broncos 70-20, the third-highest score by any team in NFL regular season’s history.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was offered the lead role in Netflix’s Quarterback (2023) ahead of its filming, is now leading the league in passing yards. With 1614 yards to his name, Tagovailoa has surpassed the face of the documentary, Chiefs‘ Patrick Mahomes going into week six. Tagovailoa is also the joint third in terms of touchdown passes at 11, level with Patrick Mahomes, Bears’ Justin Fields, and Bills‘ Josh Allen.

Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill is also in the form of his life, as he has been virtually unstoppable this season. Hill has the league’s best number of receiving yards at 651, and the sixth-highest receives at 36. The WR is also the highest receiving touchdown scorer this season at 5, tied with Bills’ Stefon Diggs and Bears’ DJ Moore. Notably, 3 of whose 5 TDs came against the Commanders last weekend.

Running Back De’Von Achane has the second-most rushing yards this season at 460, and the third-most rushing touchdowns at 5. Fellow Running back Raheem Mostert is the season leader in rushing touchdowns at 7, tied with 49ers‘ Christian McCaffrey.

The Dolphins’ next game is likely the most unfair matchup of the season so far, as the 4-1 Miamians take on the 0-5 Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are looking to record their first win, but having the league’s most lethal attack lining up against them probably won’t help with that.

New York Jets:

Despite a disappointing season overall, the Jets haven’t completely fallen apart. One of the biggest reasons for that is quarterback Zach Wilson. In the absence of Aaron Rodgers, the young QB has done his best to keep the playoff hopes alive for the Jets. Although far from his best, Zach has amassed a total of 911 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions so far. But the Jets’ ultimate challenge of the season just lies ahead as they take on the 5-0 Philadelphia Eagles on October 15. The Eagles are the only undefeated side so far this season other than the 49ers, and the Jets need the best version of Zack to take away something from that game.

Baltimore Ravens:

Ravens‘ Lamar Jackson hasn’t had one of his best seasons so far either, but the star quarterback hasn’t disappointed in what remains a mostly successful run for them. Jackson has led the team with some decent numbers that have seen them earn more victories than defeats, and that’s what matters at the end of the day.

The quarterback is currently the twentieth in terms of passing yards at 1030 and has a respectable 4 touchdown passes to his name. But don’t sleep on him yet as Jackson’s history of late ‘Rushing’ will suggest you otherwise.

The Ravens will take on the Tennessee Titans next on 15th October, a side 2-3 in the season.

Other stats:

Some toppers, however, would have wished they didn’t top. One such is the Washington Commanders’ Sam Howell who is the most sacked quarterback after week five at 29 sacks. He is followed by the New York Giants‘ Daniel Jones (28) in second, Bears’ Justin Fields (20) in third, and Broncos’ Russell Wilson (19) in fourth. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt has the most sacks in the league so far with 8.

Read More: Frustrating Times For Broncos After Crestfallen Russell Wilson Disappointingly Misses ‘100’

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua currently has the most receives in the league with 46, and the second-most receiving yards at 571, after the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill. The Colts‘ linebacker Zaire Franklin leads the other way with 49 tackles.

But among the successes and failures, there’s one name that stands out differently. At the same time, he is one of the league’s best, as well as one of the worst-performing players. How?

Surprise of the week: ‘Mr. Unpredictable’, Russell Wilson

Did you see this coming? The Denver Broncos quarterback has managed to earn this spot by being super unpredictable at times, and there are a few stats to wrap up why.

Most have probably realized why Russell is one of the worst performers. Given his entry as the fourth-most sacked quarterback and recent display with a sub-100 passing yards against the Chiefs, it’s hard to argue that the $165 million worth, $50 million/year QB has been heavily underperforming lately.

But, why one of the best? Well, if you had a chance to look at that, Wilson is the league’s eighth-best passer this season with 1305 yards to his name. Even more surprisingly, he has thrown the second-most touchdown passes in the season so far at 12, only behind Kirk Cousins. Surprise over surprise!

Russell has been on a rollercoaster of events this season, and so have some of the franchises. But there’s a lot more left to unfold as it’s just week six, so go nowhere. See you next week, with some new names making the waves in the footballing fever. Until then, enjoy the live-action on match weekend starting tomorrow night.

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